I Still Believe!

Religion is constantly fought over subject throughout the entire world. Some believe in a single personal savior, while others follow several on their path to inner peace and alignment with the universe. In the end the overall goal for most religions or followings is to be a well rounded, kind person in order to make it to heaven or reincarnate into something really meaningful. It was very surprising to read in Lisa Conyers and Philip D. Harvey’s article entitled, “Religion and Crime: Do They Go Together?” that a person of religion is more likely to commit a crime or do otherwise known as “shameful” acts than a one who does not choose to follow (Conyers & Harvey, 1996). This seems to be the opposite of what most believe to be true, although I cannot say I truly subscribe to what their article is saying.

As I child and even now I have been surrounded by a “Catholic way of life.” Going to church and following the examples of my parents and community members truly instilled what my mom and I like to call our “Moral Compass.” It is the small alarm bell that goes off in my head whenever I am in a situation I should not be in. Catholics have the reputation of being very stark, stick to “The Book” type of people unwilling to evolve to an ever-changing world. This is somewhat true, they are out there but I have found many Catholics especially in my family and around my community who are more up to date or those who understand the new challenges we face in the modern world. While we make these adjustments in order to try to keep the world in balance, we still follow our “Moral Compasses” and God in order to continue being kind, understanding people in the world.

I was extremely surprised to read in the same article Catholics are the most violent and most likely to commit crimes (Conyers & Harvey, 1996). While everyone, no matter their religion or following, makes mistakes and must learn from experience I find it hard to believe that Catholics are most volatile. It seems to be the common perception that more Middle Eastern religions are more crime-ridden or violent. This is another opinion that I do not agree with. I do not think crime rates and acts of violence should be broken down by religion, race, or other ways they are currently reported. People tend to focus on the details and begin to form stereotypes and biases against certain groups just because color or religion was reported on the news. No matter what a person is a person, regardless of what religion they follow or what neighborhood they live in.

Overall, I agree with the first article when it discusses the fact that part of a person’s willingness to act out relies on personality and moral followings (Conyers & Harvey, 1996). Parts of those moral choices come from family beliefs and religions followed. That is something that cannot be denied. Does it mean my moral compass as a Catholic is much different than a Lutheran? Not necessarily. It is up to the person and the choices they make in order to determine if they can live a fulfilled life and stay on the right path without the assistance of God or other religious leaders. There are thousands even millions of people who have chosen to not follow God and still make good decisions. In my life, however, I need the extra help God gives me in order to keep my moral compass pointing in the right direction.


Conyers, Lisa and Philip D. Harvey. Religion and Crime: Do They Go Together?
In Free Inquiry, vol. 16 no. 3, 1996. Council for Democratic and Secular
Humanism.
Beedles, Bonnie and Michael Petracca (2001). Academic Communities/ Disciplinary
Conventions. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.