Hi All...

I'm an atheist and have so been since I served in SV with the Army, back in the late sixties. Rest of the time ('til my retirement) I was a copper.

Over the years I've seen some pretty 'ordinary' things, particularly crimes perpetrated against the person. And, I have absolutely no truck whatsoever, with people who profess to be Religious, or Christian.

Having said that, I must admit that it's been rare indeed (in over thirty two years) to come across individuals who resolutely profess to be Christian, to EVER engage in crimes of violence - or be in any way, accessorial to a crime of violence ! I recognise there will always be exceptions. Though few and far between, in my experience.

Of course anyone can tell you of the horrific crimes of violence committed against the most vulnerable or assailable by the Christian Churches. This is very shameful, but true !

Actually, it's more the 'individual' to whom I refer, not a group or organisation. Crimes of all types and grievousness have been committed by every sector of society...those from the depths of humanity, to those that emanate from the patrician and noblest echelons of society, none are exempt.

Yet, in my humble experience, the committed Christian person, 'seem' to avoid perpetrating those awful crimes that occasion severe PHYSICAL hurt upon another human being. Why, I have absolutely no idea at all ? As I stated at the outset, I'm an atheist!

Cheers...Sung Wu.

runner, contraception is probably un-related to teen suicide, except perhaps for those with cognitive dissonance from trying to marry theistic woo thinking with their hormones and their feelings for others.

Secularism does not equate to or correlate to permissiveness.

Morals are good and worth teaching kids, as happens in most homes and all schools.

McReal

'Secularism does not equate to or correlate to permissiveness.'

You could of fooled me and myriads of parents as they vote with their feet. You also ignore the number of sexually used up teenagers who top themselves due to lack of any self worth after being used time and time again. Generally they copy the secular values or lack of they feed on the internet and TV. I don't see Christian orgainations supporting the porn industry like many secular people demanding their right to view this garbage despite the increase in child abuse.

btw I am glad that their is still enough of the Christian Judea ethic left in this country that allows even some secular parents to teach their kids decent values. Hopefully you will keep it up. Unfortunately it seems to be declining.

o sung wu

thanks for your honesty.

None of my Christian friends have committed crimes either, in fact my atheist friends have also been crime free thus far. Many serial killers in the US have been found to come from heavily fundamental Christian homes but they could hardly be called mainstream. Extremism of any sort is always a bad mix.

As someone said earlier it is not the religion or the lack of religion, but people that do wrong. If some need religion to get them through the night or to provide a values framework I for one am not going to stop them. As long as that religious authority is not misused for oppression (as has been the case historically) there is no harm. But that goes for any aspect of life.

Calling for the death of anyone who does not believe in a particular God is not what I would call a healthy attitude and is hugely anti-human.

Hi there Pelican...

I agree with you absolutely. Though, what I was trying to describe -
I've never known a committed Christian, a Christian person who seems to live their lives following a Christian style of ethical behaviour and principles et al.,to commit any crime of violence.

Using violence, as an answer or a solution to their problems, never seems to enter their respective head/s ? I'm not suggesting for a moment, they'll not engage in other ways (anonymous threats over the phone, vicious and cruel hate mail, etc) to satify their need for revenge, or satisfaction.

They seem to pause, right at that point, or at the very brink of actually engaging in physical violence.

Sorry, I've not explained myself very well at all. It's a peculiar occurrence that seems to apply ONLY to a committed Christian - an individual who, prima facie, lives a Christian style of life ?

I've made a mess of this, haven't I ?

Cheers...Sung Wu.

No mess O Sung Wu, you clearly expressed your opinion and I for one comprehended.

I would be most interested in learning [broadly and generally] some of your views from past experience, what you believe, could make a significant difference in lowering crime across the nation O Sung Wu.

Great if you could commence a thread for Aussies to read and contribute! For instance, to include the updating of legislation regarding Law/Courts, more police officers brought back to Australia for the beat, detectives returned from o/s to continue their work here, as opposed to spending lengthy periods o/s.

Whatever issues you see that could or should be addressed to strengthen our force and reduce crime figures [numerically and literally] O Sung Wu