Irreligion and domestic violence

Research suggests that irreligiousity is a causal factor for domestic violence.[1]

The abstract for the 2007 article in the journal Violence Against Women entitled Race/Ethnicity, Religious Involvement, and Domestic Violence indicated:

“  |  The authors explored the relationship between religious involvement and intimate partner violence by analyzing data from the first wave of the National Survey of Families and Households. They found that: (a) religious involvement is correlated with reduced levels of domestic violence; (b) levels of domestic violence vary by race/ethnicity; (c) the effects of religious involvement on domestic violence vary by race/ethnicity; and (d) religious involvement, specifically church attendance, protects against domestic violence, and this protective effect is stronger for African American men and women and for Hispanic men, groups that, for a variety of reasons, experience elevated risk for this type of violence.[2] |  ”

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Also, a quote from the journal article Race/Ethnicity, Religious Involvement, and Domestic Violence:

“  |  Another line of thought suggests that religious people may be less likely to perpe- trate domestic violence (Fergusson, Horwood, Kershaw, & Shannon, 1986). A 1999 study of U.S. couples found that both men and women who attend religious services regularly are less likely to commit acts of domestic violence than those who attend rarely or not at all (Ellison et al., 1999). A follow-up study identified three pathways through which religious involvement may operate; namely, increasing levels of social integration and social support, reducing the likelihood of alcohol or substance abuse, and decreasing the risk of psychological problems (Ellison & Anderson, 2001). However, even after considering such indirect effects of religion through the use of sta- tistical controls, that study found that regular religious involvement still had a protec- tive effect against the perpetration of domestic violence by both men and women (Ellison & Anderson, 2001). In addition, that study showed that evidence of such pro- tective religious effects persisted regardless of whether domestic violence was measured using data from self reports or partner reports, which makes it difficult to attribute these observed religious effects to simple social desirability or other response bias.[3] |  ”

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The Journal of Family Issues also reported that religious belief diminishes the likelihood of domestic violence.[4]

See also:

* Atheism and women

* Atheism and emotional problems

* Atheism and love

* Atheism and rape

## Contents

* 1 Atheism and various risk factors for domestic violence
* 1.1 Religion and self-control studies
* 1.2 Atheism and anger
* 1.3 Atheism and social intelligence
* 1.4 Atheism and emotional intelligence
* 1.5 Atheism and arrogance
* 2 Secular Europe and domestic violence
* 3 Atheism and lower empathy for others
* 4 Atheist community double standards: Muslim men misogyny vs. atheist men misogyny
* 5 Irreligion, alcoholism and domestic abuse
* 6 Agnostic John Lennon and accusations of domestic abuse
* 7 Atheism, homosexuality and domestic violence
* 7.1 Homosexual Murders and Brutality
* 7.2 Homosexual couples and domestic violence
* 8 Teachings of Jesus Christ and the New Testament on marital love
* 8.1 Christianity and women's rights
* 9 See also
* 10 References

## Atheism and various risk factors for domestic violence[edit]

Atheists and agnostics are more likely to see illegal drug use as morally acceptable.[5]

The Barna Group found that atheists and agnostics in America were more likely, than theists in America, to look upon the following behaviors as morally acceptable: illegal drug use; excessive drinking; sexual relationships outside of marriage; abortion; cohabitating with someone of opposite sex outside of marriage; obscene language; gambling; pornography and obscene sexual behavior; and engaging in homosexuality/bisexuality.[6] Given the many diseases associated with homosexuality, the biblical prohibition against homosexuality is quite arguably one of the many examples where the Bible exhibited knowledge that was ahead of its time.

A higher rate of domestic violence exists among cohabiting couples as compared with married couples[7] Atheists have lower marriage rates than theists (see: Atheism and marriage and Atheist marriages).

According to the World Health Organization, "Interpersonal violence and illicit drug use are major public health challenges that are strongly linked."[8]

See also: Atheism and alcoholism and Atheism and drug addiction

### Religion and self-control studies[edit]

In the journal article Religion, self-regulation, and self-control: Associations, explanations, and implications, psychologists McCullough and Willoughby theorize that many of the positive links of religiousness with health and social behavior may be caused by religion's beneficial influences on self-control/self-regulation.[9][10] Furthermore, a 2012 Queen's University study published in Psychological Science found that religion replenishes self-control.[11][12] Also, numerous studies indicate that those who engage in regular spiritual practices have lower mortality rates.[13] [14] See also: Atheism and hedonism

### Atheism and anger[edit]

See: Atheism and anger

### Atheism and social intelligence[edit]

See: Atheism and social intelligence

### Atheism and emotional intelligence[edit]

See: Atheism and emotional intelligence

### Atheism and arrogance[edit]

See: Atheism and arrogance

## Secular Europe and domestic violence[edit]

See also: Secular Europe and domestic violence and Sweden and domestic violence

Sweden is one of the most atheistic countries in the world.[15] In Sweden, 81 percent of women said they had been harassed at some point after the age of 15 - compared to the EU average of 55 percent.[16]

In March of 2014, the Swedish news website The Local published an article entitled Sweden stands out in domestic violence study which declared:

“  |  A new EU review of violence against women has revealed that one in three European women has been assaulted, and one in twenty has been raped, with the Scandinavian countries at the top of the league tables.

In the Scandinavian countries, in contrast, around half of the women reported physical or sexual violence, which researchers at the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights said could have several explanations...

In Sweden, 81 percent of women said they had been harassed at some point after the age of 15 - compared to the EU average of 55 percent. After Sweden, which had the highest rate, Denmark, France, the Netherland and Finland all saw rates above 70 percent. The EU member state with the lowest rate - 24 percent - was Bulgaria.[17]

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Sweden is one of the most atheistic countries in the world and in secular Europe. The website adherents.com reported that in 2005 46 - 85% of Swedes were agnostics/atheists/non-believers in God.[18] Sweden also has the 3rd highest rate of belief in evolution as far as Western World nations.[19]

See also:

* Sexual immorality and Sweden

* Evolutionary belief and sexual immorality

Denmark has the highest rate of belief in evolution in the Western World.[20] In addition, in 2005 Denmark was ranked the third most atheistic country in the world and the website adherents.com reported that in 2005 43 - 80% of Danes are agnostics/atheists/non-believers in God.[21]

Finland was ranked the 7th most atheistic country in the world in 2005.[22] Finland has the 17th highest rate of belief in evolution in the Western World.[23]

France was ranked the 8th most atheistic country in the world in 2005.[24] France has the 4th highest rate of belief in evolution in the Western World.[25]

In 2005, the Netherlands was ranked the 13th most atheistic country in the world and the website adherents.com reports that in 2005 39 - 44%% of the Dutch were agnostics/atheists/non-believers in God.[26] The Netherlands also has the 11th highest rate of belief in evolution as far as Western World nations.[27]

## Atheism and lower empathy for others[edit]

Atheist Sikivu Hutchinson says that atheist organizations generally focus on church/state separation and creationism issues and not on the concerns the less affluent African-American population faces.[28]

Hutchinson also mentioned that church organizations significantly help poor African-Americans.[29] See also: Atheism and uncharitablenss

See also: Atheism and uncharitableness

In 2007, the Baptist Press reported:

“  |  ...a pollster at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada, found that adults who profess a belief in God are significantly more likely than atheists to say that forgiveness, patience, generosity and a concern for others are "very important." In fact, the poll found that on 11 of 12 values, there was a double-digit gap between theists and atheists, with theists more likely to label each value "very important."

The survey by sociologist and pollster Reginald Bibby examined the beliefs of 1,600 Canadians, 82 percent who said they believed in "God or a higher power" and 18 percent who said they did not.[30]

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Atheists give significantly less to charity than theists in the United States \- even when church giving is not counted (see: Atheism and uncharitablness).

For example, According to a study by the Barna Group:

“  |  The typical no-faith American donated just $200 in 2006, which is more than seven times less than the amount contributed by the prototypical active-faith adult ($1500). Even when church-based giving is subtracted from the equation, active-faith adults donated twice as many dollars last year as did atheists and agnostics. In fact, while just 7% of active-faith adults failed to contribute any personal funds in 2006, that compares with 22% among the no-faith adults.[31] |  ”

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A comprehensive study by Harvard University professor Robert Putnam found that religious people are more charitable than their irreligious counterparts.[32][33] The study revealed that forty percent of worship service attending Americans volunteer regularly to help the poor and elderly as opposed to 15% of Americans who never attend services.[34][35] Moreover, religious individuals are more likely than non-religious individuals to volunteer for school and youth programs (36% vs. 15%), a neighborhood or civic group (26% vs. 13%), and for health care (21% vs. 13%).[36][37]

## Atheist community double standards: Muslim men misogyny vs. atheist men misogyny[edit]

Ayaan Hirsi Ali

See also: Atheist hypocrisy

In recent times, atheists have put in a lot of effort and focus into decrying the deplorable treatment of many Muslim women by Muslim men, yet the same degree of attention about the high amount of physical abuse atheist women endure at the hands of atheist men via domestic abuse and the other forms of abuse is not given nearly the same amount of import by many in the atheist community. See: Secular Europe and domestic violence and Elevatorgate and Atheism and women

For example, Ayaan Hirsi Ali was chosen to be the keynote speaker of the American Atheists convention in 2014 and in 2005 the secular left leaning Time magazine named her one of the most 100 influential people in the world.[38] Yet, the women who point out misogyny in Western World atheism receive torrents of abuse (see: Atheism and women) and are not highly lauded by the atheist community to nearly the same degree. See also: Atheist hypocrisy

## Irreligion, alcoholism and domestic abuse[edit]

See also: Atheism and alcoholism and Atheism and health

According to the World Health Organization, "Evidence suggests that alcohol use increases the occurrence and severity of domestic violence".[39]

Alcoholism was a serious social problem in the former atheistic Soviet Union.[40] Between 1940 and 1980, this atheist state had the largest increase of the amount of alcohol usage in the developed world.[41]

Atheists and atheistic cultures more frequently have problems with excess alcohol use (For more information please see: Atheism and alcoholism).

A 2010 Scientific American column article indicates concerning domestic violence that "Women suffer close to two thirds of the injuries... In addition, women and men differ in the severity of their actions; women are more likely to scratch or slap their partners, men more commonly punch or choke their partners."[42]

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):

“  |  Men are more likely than women to drink excessively. Excessive drinking is associated with significant increases in short-term risks to health and safety, and the risk increases as the amount of drinking increases. Men are also more likely than women to take other risks (e.g., drive fast or without a safety belt), when combined with excessive drinking, further increasing their risk of injury or death.

Approximately 63% of adult men reported drinking alcohol in the last 30 days. Men (24%) were two times more likely to binge drink than women during the same time period.

Men average about 12.5 binge drinking episodes per person per year, while women average about 2.7 binge drinking episodes per year.

Most people who binge drink are not alcoholics or alcohol dependent.

It is estimated that about 17% of men and about 8% of women will meet criteria for alcohol dependence at some point in their lives.[43]

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See also:

* Soviet Union and alcoholism

* Atheistic China and alcoholism

* Secular Europe and alcoholism

* Britain and alcoholism

* Irreligious Australia and alcoholism

* Atheistic Denmark and alcoholism

* Atheistic Netherlands and alcoholism

The Barna Group found that atheists and agnostics in America were more likely, than theists in America, to look upon the following behaviors as morally acceptable: illegal drug use; excessive drinking; sexual relationships outside of marriage; abortion; cohabitating with someone of opposite sex outside of marriage; obscene language; gambling; pornography and obscene sexual behavior; and engaging in homosexuality/bisexuality.[44]

## Agnostic John Lennon and accusations of domestic abuse[edit]

John Lennon

John Lennon in s 1965 interview said: "If you say you don't believe in God, everybody assumes you're antireligious, and you probably think that's what we mean by that. We're not quite sure 'what' we are, but I know that we're more agnostic than atheistic."[45]

A September 9, 2012 article at Atlantic Wire wrote about the noted agnostic John Lennon:

“  |  But people have mostly forgotten that Lennon was also physically abusive towards women. "I used to be cruel to my woman," he said, citing the lyrics to "Getting Better" in a Playboy interview near the end of his life. "Physically—any woman. I was a hitter. I couldn't express myself and I hit. I fought men and I hit women." In his biography The Lives of John Lennon, Albert Goldman also maintains that Lennon was guilty of spousal abuse.[46] |  ”

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## Atheism, homosexuality and domestic violence[edit]

See also: Gay bashing and Homosexual couples and domestic violence and Homosexuality and murders

As noted above, atheists and agnostics are more likely to find homosexuality as morally acceptable.[47]

The conservative journalist Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth wrote: "Anyone who has researched the subject of homosexuality knows that many of the most staunch advocates of homosexuality are those who hold a decidedly secular outlook."[48]

At the same time, atheistic communist regimes in history historically have often taken a negative view of homosexuality and within Western World atheism, there is a segment of that atheist population which takes a negative view of homosexuality. See: Atheist actions against homosexuals.

### Homosexual Murders and Brutality[edit]

The eminent pathologists Bernard Knight and Pekka Saukko declared that it is a fact that some of the most violent homicides seen by pathologists are among male homosexuals.[49]

See also: Homosexuality and murders and Gay bashing

The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers by Michael Newton reports:

“  |  Homosexual slayers clearly have no monopoly on violence, but it is true that their crimes often display extremes of "overkill" and mutilation... On balance, it seems fair to say that while homosexuals sometimes fall prey to "gay bashing" violence by bigoted "straights," they are far more likely to be murdered by another homosexual than in a random hate crime.[50] |  ”

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According to the New York Times, Dr. William Eckert was a world-renowned authority in the field of pathology and he worked on major murder cases including the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and the Charles Manson murders.[51] Dr. Eckert founded the American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology.[51] [52] According to Time magazine, Dr. Eckert was a pioneer who encouraged collaborative effort between law-enforcement and forensics teams.[52]

Dr. Eckert wrote regarding homosexual murders:

“  |  Equally high is the number of homicides, many probably related to transient attachments, which often lead to suspicion, jealousy, and murder. When murder does occur it is exceptionally brutal with an overkill appearance... Overkill, as it is seen in homosexual and lesbian murders, is certainly a form of sadistic crime. In these instances multiple stabbing and other brutal injuries...are common findings...[53] |  ”

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### Homosexual couples and domestic violence[edit]

See also: Homosexual couples and domestic violence

Studies indicate that homosexual couples have higher rates of domestic violence (see: Homosexual couples and domestic violence).

See also: Homosexuality and promiscuity and Homosexuality and Illegal Drug Use

## Teachings of Jesus Christ and the New Testament on marital love[edit]

Jesus Christ and his apostles taught a gospel of love.[54] For example, the New Testament teaches that a husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25).

See also: Christian marriage and Agape

Jesus Christ and his apostles taught a gospel of love.[55] For example, the New Testament teaches that a husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25).

In his article The Triumph of the Gospel of Love, Monk Themistocles (Adamopoulo) wrote:

“  |  It is generally agreed by scholars and saints that the teaching of "love" and charity represent one of the essential dimensions of the Gospel of Jesus and the Gospel of Paul. Accordingly, from the extant words and parables of Jesus many concern themselves with the message of love. For example on the Sunday of Meat Fare, from the Gospel of Matthew, we hear Jesus identifying Himself and in solidarity with the destitute, the suffering, the rejected and the oppressed, calling for and rewarding altruistic philanthropy:

"... I was hungry and you fed me, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, when I was a stranger you took me in, when naked you clothed me, when I was ill you came to my help, when in prison you visited me ... I tell you this anything you did for one of my brothers here, however humble, you did it for me." (Matt 25:35-36, 40)...

Christians undertook a great deal of almsgiving to the poor not only to fellow believers but to pagans as well. So amazed was the anti-Christian pagan emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363 AD), with the sheer benevolence and excellence of Christian philanthropy that he was forced to admit in wonder their superiority over paganism in matters of charity:

"These godless Galileans (ie. Christians) feed not only their own poor but ours: our poor lack our care" (Ep. Sozom. 5:16).[56]

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Most Christians live outside the Western World where divorce rates are lower (see: Christian marriage).

### Christianity and women's rights[edit]

See: Christianity and women's rights

## See also[edit]

* Atheism and violence
* Religion and crime reduction
* Atheism and sadism
* Atheism and rape
* Mass rape of German women by the Soviet army
* Atheism and women
* Atheism and illegitimate births
* Atheism and pornography
* Atheism and morality
* Atheist population and immorality
* Atheism and sexuality
* Atheism and poor relationships with parents
* Causes of atheism

## References[edit]

1. ↑ doi: 10.1177/1077801207308259 Violence Against Women, Race/Ethnicity, Religious Involvement, and Domestic Violence, November 2007 vol. 13 no. 11 1094-1112
2. ↑ doi: 10.1177/1077801207308259 Violence Against Women, Race/Ethnicity, Religious Involvement, and Domestic Violence, November 2007 vol. 13 no. 11 1094-1112
3. ↑ doi: 10.1177/1077801207308259 Violence Against Women, Race/Ethnicity, Religious Involvement, and Domestic Violence, November 2007 vol. 13 no. 11 1094-1112
4. ↑ Why Religion Matters Even More: The Impact of Religious Practice on Social Stability By Patrick F. Fagan, Ph.D., Heritage Center website
5. ↑ http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/58-practical-outcomes-replace-biblical-principles-as-the-moral-standard
6. ↑ http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/58-practical-outcomes-replace-biblical-principles-as-the-moral-standard
7. ↑ Demography. 2006 Feb;43(1):127-40. Why are cohabiting relationships more violent than marriages?. Kenney CT1, McLanahan SS.
8. ↑ Interpersonal violence and illicit drug use - World Health Organization
9. ↑ Religion, Self-Regulation, and Self-Control: Associations, Explanations, and Implications
10. ↑ Religion, Self-Regulation, and Self-Control: Associations, Explanations, and Implications
11. ↑ Religion Replenishes Self-Control, Psychological Science, June 2012 vol. 23 no. 6 635-642, Kevin Rounding, Albert Lee, Jill A. Jacobson and Li-Jun Ji at Queen’s University
12. ↑ Study finds religion helps us gain self-control
13. ↑ Religious involvement and mortality: a meta-analytic review. McCullough ME, Hoyt WT, Larson DB, Koenig HG, Thoresen C., Health Psychol. 2000 May;19(3):211-22.
14. ↑ The role of spirituality in health care, roc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 2001 October; 14(4): 352–357.
15. ↑ Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)
16. ↑ Sweden stands out in domestic violence study Published: 05 Mar 2014 08:3
17. ↑ Sweden stands out in domestic violence study Published: 05 Mar 2014 08:3
18. ↑ Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)
19. ↑ Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds
20. ↑ Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds
21. ↑ Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)
22. ↑ Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)
23. ↑ Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)
24. ↑ Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)
25. ↑ Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds
26. ↑ Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)
27. ↑ Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds
28. ↑ Atheism has a big race problem that no one’s talking about by Dr. Sikivu Hutchinson, Washington Post June 16, 2014
29. ↑ Atheism has a big race problem that no one’s talking about by Dr. Sikivu Hutchinson, Washington Post June 16, 2014
30. ↑ Foust, Michael (October 23, 2007). "Poll: Atheists less likely to 'do good'" Baptist Press. Retrieved on July 20, 2014.
31. ↑ Atheists and Agnostics Take Aim at Christians The Barna Update, 2007.
32. ↑ Religious people make better citizens, study says by Pew Research Forum, May 13, 2009
33. ↑ Religious people are 'better neighbors' by USA Today, 11/14/2010
34. ↑ Religious people make better citizens, study says by Pew Research Forum, May 13, 2009
35. ↑ Religious people are 'better neighbors' by USA Today, 11/14/2010
36. ↑ Religious people make better citizens, study says by Pew Research Forum, May 13, 2009
37. ↑ Religious people are 'better neighbors' by USA Today, 11/14/2010
38. ↑
* 2015 American Atheists National Convention
* Ayaan Hirsi Ali - Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world
39. ↑ [http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/world_report/factsheets/ft_intimate.pdf World Health Organization Intimate Partner Violence and Alcohol Fact Sheet
40. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18245818
41. ↑ Alcoholism in the Soviet Union
42. ↑ Are Men the More Belligerent Sex? Men are more dangerous, but women can be just as aggressive, Scientific American, Apr 1, 2010 |By Hal Arkowitz and Scott O. Lilienfeld
43. ↑ Fact Sheets - Excessive Alcohol Use and Risks to Men's Health
44. ↑ http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/58-practical-outcomes-replace-biblical-principles-as-the-moral-standard
45. ↑ The Beatles Image and Music by Michael R. Frontani, page 99
46. ↑ John Lennon and Chris Brown Have Something in Common
47. ↑ http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/58-practical-outcomes-replace-biblical-principles-as-the-moral-standard
48. ↑ Atheism and homosexuality
49. ↑ Knight's Forensic Pathology',(3rd Ed) Saukko P. and B. Knight (2004) Arnold Publishers, London, page 428
50. ↑ The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers by Michael Newton, page 103
51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 New York Times, William Eckert, 73, Medical Sleuth in Major Cases By WILLIAM H. HONAN, September 24, 1999
52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 Time Magazine, Milestones by By VAL CASTRONOVO, MATTHEW COOPER, AUTUMN DE LEON, DANIEL S. LEVY, LINA LOFARO, CHRIS TAYLOR AND DAVID E. THIGPEN, October 9, 1999
53. ↑ Tedeschi CG, Eckert W, Tedeschi LG, eds. Forensic medicine; vol 2. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 1977:962
54. ↑ The Triumph of the Gospel of Love by Monk Themistocles ((Adamopoulo)
55. ↑ The Triumph of the Gospel of Love by Monk Themistocles ((Adamopoulo)
56. ↑ The Triumph of the Gospel of Love by Monk Themistocles ((Adamopoulo)