Hmmm, re Linear's link. I'm not sure if giving any kind of study/statistic is so easily verifiable for it's accuracy regarding this...I'd be very surprised if it did, considering the bible says "By their fruits ye shall know them".

And do such "studies" really reflect (as I've said) overall truth and "Christianity" - or does it reflect a breakdown of society/family overall? Since if one takes a look at the circumstances of crime and what lies behind it, you will not usually see the Christian side of it at all. Quite the opposite and usually a long line of abuse - sexual/physical/emotional, drug/alcohol abuse, disregard for morality and other people, disregard for the law, indifference, not considering or caring about consequences, pride/greed etc etc (the list goes on). What is the connection here to Christianity?.....aside from the fact we're reminded by these things how much humanity needs God? Whether they like to think so or not.

Is the law abiding citizen exempt from guilt in regards to God's moral codes and original sin? That's quite another story, since immorality of certain kinds do not land people in jail, but ALL come short of the glory of God and require Christ's redeeming blood. There are plenty of people Linear who commit worse crimes than those sitting in jail on a huge scale and get away with it. The white collar criminals at the top and hurt the little people at the bottom.

I believe there are plenty of so-called studies/surveys done in such a way to try and show Christianity in a bad light. No surprise! You can go search for books with authors who will happily do the same for you!

Focussing on and presenting the negatives on Christianity in preference to exposing the overwhelming good is also somewhat suspect from a self-professed Christian Linear ..... I can't help but pick this up from your posting history on this forum and it seems to me, most unusual when one considers the undeniable exhaustive work done by Christians and Christian organisations across the globe for help of others.....Or have I missed a post of yours has acknowledged such? If so, apologies.

Who isn't aware of the persecution of Christians throughout time, which continues to this day in certain parts of the world? Yet you won't hear this mentioned Would you like to tell me what is done in the name of true Christianity these days that ask for the killing/burning of those who do not comply with it? Instead we see Christians persecuted, tortured and even killed for practising their faith in certain areas. Is it preferable to ignore this and instead focus only on past instances of religious fanatics who did contrary to the teachings of Christ? How about reflecting upon the worldwide Christian organisations that do so much for mankind - those most broken, needy/desperate, poor/sick etc etc... If you balanced your negative press occassionally with stressing the MANY good fruits of Christianity (put into action as Christ told), perhaps the suspicions regarding your own Christian status would not have arisen on here as much.

I wonder what would happen if the Christian organisations around the world decided to close ranks? would this cause others to start reflecting a bit more on how much these Christians hold so much together around the world, and how many poor souls rely totally on them?

Christians are well aware of the atrocities committed by those in the past proclaiming to be "Christian" but we are also not fooled at how UNCHRISTIAN they were, and contrary to Christ's teachings they were and how shameful they were (and are when anybody continues to do such). But we are also not convinced by those using this as an "example" regarding Christians either

Does any negative press/studies one brings up regarding the apparent increase in crime with "Christians" reflect on Christ and the word of God? No. Does it reflect on Christians giving their lives to work for others and God? No. Does it reflect on other Christians going about their ordinary lives and trying to do their best? No. Does it reflect on fallen mankind? Yes. Does it reflect upon weaknesses/sins of human beings? Yes. Does it reflect upon the outcome of original sin? Yes. Does it reflect upon those who twist scripture to suit their own wishes? Perhaps yes. Does it reflect upon people who either haven't truly converted or have fallen away from the right road? Maybe, depending on whether they were sincere in the first place. Does it reflect on the signs of the times? I'd say so, if we are to take the bible at its word! If not, then one might as well state that believing in Christ and taking His message onboard produces bad fruits in criminal activitiy, or at least worse than atheism. Yet we know by reality and the many Christian organisations, this could not be more mistaken!

Now, I don't think anybody would have to search too far and wide to find the atrocities committed in our human history by people who far from Christians, practised an anti-Christian, power hungry existence, in a position of power and committed terrible crimes against humanity as result.....in the meantime Linear, perhaps you ought to take some time out of your search for the negatives on Christianity and start taking a good look at how much Christians do for humanity around the world, which may remind you of how powerful Christ's example was and how it continues to this day. Partly why we convert to Christianity!Part of being a Christian and encouraging others is also by showing the GOOD fruits of Christianity and reasons why you became one. If one only enjoys giving the bad commentaries, one must begin to question such a person's sincerity in claiming themselves as a Christian....

Christ will indeed hold all of us accountable for our own participation (or non) in gaining souls for Him. By continually failing to mention and expose the overwhelming good, in preference for cherry picking the negative is contrary to any encouragement to others and speaks more about a person who is either in great inner conflict with his own self professed faith, or is somehow misleading/confusing others regarding it. Showing up bad Christians or those fallen/strayed from the faith - whilst ommitting and ignoring the many good, looks more like an attempt to lend support and sympathy for atheism or at least is a very good impression of it.

Tell me Linear, for what reason would anybody become a Christian if the fruits, history, statistics of Christianity/Christians are pretty rotten (or worse) in comparison with atheism?.....Since it is within God's word that tells us "By their fruits ye shall know them" - Are we then to consider that God was incorrect? To me, that isn't even an option - therefore I conclude that it's human beings that are flawed, including some of these studies/statistics. And one would need to know the background of the criminals concerned. I very much doubt you'll find for the most part, a foundation in Christianity and living accordingly. I've actually read plenty of criminal books (non fiction). Some of the worst crimes of humanity (many starting in petty crime) and many have been the rotten fruits of child abuse, child neglect, immorality, alcoholism, drug intake, mental illness etc, but sorry I've not seen where Christianity has been responsible or caused such awful outcomes. What is the connection to Christianity here? None whatsoever. Only the reminder again that all mankind need Christ. So is it therefore the result of Christianity? Or the results of the above? I don't think it takes an einstein to figure that out.