CathNews New Zealand

Those who believe in Hell are less likely transgress again leading to lower crime rates.

So concludes a study by by Azim Shiraf at the University of Oregon and Mijke Rhemtulla at the University of Kansas who compared rates of crime with rates of believe in heaven and hell in 67 countries.

The study acknowledged that religion has generally shown to have positive effects on society behaviour but suggests that these effects may be driven by supernatural punishment rather than belief in the forgiveness of sins and a compassionate God.

The study also showed belief in heaven increased the likelihood of higher crime rates.

In reporting the study’s results, the economist opined that since researchers also noted that the proportion of people believing in heaven almost always outweighed the proportion of those believing in hell, that “a little more preaching on the fiery furnace might be beneficial in this life, if not also in the next.”

Sources

• PLOS One Journal
• The Economist
• Image: The Economist

Additional reading

News category: World.