Spiritual but not religious and crime

[satori8]

There has been a study which has generated several articles that spiritual but not religious young people, commit more crimes than Christians and atheists. Why do you think this is so? I am pretty clueless.

Baylor University || Media Communications || News

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Off the top of my head, it might have something to do with the fact that people who are "spiritual but not religious" generally tend to seem somewhat flaky and a bit off.

 

[tumbleweed41]

I notice the focus was on property crimes, which can include everything from graffiti to grand theft auto.
I would be interested in the specifics on the severity of the crimes and who among those studied are more likely to commit crimes of violence against a person.

 

[Gjallarhorn]

When you hold yourself to your own standards, you can do almost anything you want.

Off the top of my head, it might have something to do with the fact that people who are "spiritual but not religious" generally tend to seem somewhat flaky and a bit off.

And what he said.

 

[Yerda]

When you hold yourself to your own standards, you can do almost anything you want.

Sorry, can you elaborate?

 

[Gjallarhorn]

Sorry, can you elaborate?

Do I need to?

If you make your own rules, you can break your own rules and feel less guilty than letting others down. That help?

 

[Yerda]

Do I need to?

If you make your own rules, you can break your own rules and feel less guilty than letting others down. That help?

These spiritual but not religious folks are breaking societies rules more freely because they live by their own?

 

[satori8]

Well technically atheists could be said the only repercussions are from the law. But why would a spiritual but not religious person, if they believe in a deity, not fear repercussions from both the law, as well as a deity? It seems the Christians are obeying the law, they speculate because they fear the repercussions. So is interesting the young believe in something, but perhaps they don't fear it?

 

[LuisDantas]

It does not surprise me.

"Spiritual but not religious" often means a belief in some sort of higher purpose coupled with a belief that other people's understanding of same is not to be trusted.

Of all belief stances, that is probably the one most easily twisted into self-justification and lack of proper moral questioning.

I would expect the quantitative difference not to be too extreme, though. Many religious groups are simply not all that effective at avoiding self-justification.

(...) But why would a spiritual but not religious person, if they believe in a deity, not fear repercussions from both the law, as well as a deity?

Because he decides what that deity wants, and interprets it as being favorable to his personal desires.

It seems the Christians are obeying the law, they speculate because they fear the repercussions. So is interesting the young believe in something, but perhaps they don't fear it?

Why would they? It is not like there is anything clearly indicating that their conceptions of god or religion are misguided.