Religion and Morality

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All other religions. Some studies included agnostics in with atheists, and some included responses of "no religion" in with atheists (although most did not).

One thing that I found interesting was the fact that those who identify as Baha'i made up a larger percentage of the inmate population than atheists (although only slightly).

Anyone have any speculations on this? I doubt that atheists having a higher moral code can be the only explanation, so something else must be in play.

Perhaps the black urban prison population making up a disproportionate pecentage of the population contributes (that demographic has a significantly population of self identified christians than most demographics).

Perhaps the number of drug offenders makes an impact? Many drug offenders have a court mandated rehab program, which tends to push people toward spirituality. And sometimes reduced sentences come with a successful completion of rehab.

Any other wild guesses out there?

Religion is pushed by pastors in prison and is likely one of the few weekly activities available. It also might look good to a parole board. I would say that the largest factor is how they were raised and I associate extreme urban poverty with poor women lovin' some Jesus. Their mommas made an impression.

There also might be a sexual motive. You see it with rappers who promote violent lyrics and extreme materialism and then talk about their "lord and savior Jesus Christ", have religious tats, etc. It's like a pose, possibly for the benefit of women, that implies that they are "spiritual and deep" despite outward appearance. The redeemable bad boy stereotype. Few women want an unreconstructed bad boy for a partner.

Atheism is a belief held mostly among the middle class, the educated and the elite. Though in the US politicians have to pretend being religious to pander to the masses. In Victorian times the elite believed that religion was not neccessary for themselves, but the common people need religion to stay in line. I think the main reason is that atheism is very uncommon amongst the lower social classes, and they are most likely to end up in prison.