Is Dualism Intrinsically Violent? (beliefs, experience, God, religion, devil)

[Sunstone]

From "Religion, Violence and Dualism":

"Jensen’s research considered homicide rates in “dualist nations” (in which beliefs in both God and the devil were prevalent) “God-only” nations (in which beliefs in God were prevalent, but not in the devil) and “secular nations” (in which beliefs in God were not prevalent)."

>>>snip<<<

"[T]he high dualist nations have the highest homicide score followed by the lesser dualist nations with God-Only and secular nations exhibiting lower scores. However, the statistically significant contrast is between the dualist nations and the God-Only and secular nations. Relative to dualist nations, nations with a sizeable percentage believing in God (but not the Devil) have a significantly lower score. The most secular nations exhibit a significantly lower score than dualist nations as well. But, contrary to Paul’s emphasis on secular versus religious nations… there is no difference between the non-dualist, God believing nations, and the relatively more secular nations."

So, it seems the murder rates in dualist nations are significantly higher than in either secular nations or God-only nations. What do you make of this? Does dualism lead to violence?

[angellous_evangellous]

So, it seems the murder rates in dualist nations are significantly higher than in either secular nations or God-only nations. What do you make of this? Does dualism lead to violence?

There's too many other factors that are unconsidered here (economics, health, etc). My first impression is that such a statement is rather thoughtless and stupid, having not considered the complexity of the question.

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

So, it seems the murder rates in dualist nations are significantly higher than in either secular nations or God-only nations. What do you make of this? Does dualism lead to violence?

I think if there's any relationship at all (which is doubtful), that the causation would be in the other direction: I think people attempt to explain the evil and violence around them, and hence attribute the evil they experience to the Devil. In peaceful societies, there is much less evil to justify, and hence less need for a Devil to point to.

[Sunstone]

Originally Posted by angellous_evangellous

There's too many other factors that are unconsidered here (economics, health, etc). My first impression is that such a statement is rather thoughtless and stupid, having not considered the complexity of the question.

Did you read the article?

[angellous_evangellous]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Did you read the article?

Yeah. Same ol' boring crap.

[MdmSzdWhtGuy]

I think it is more likely a monotheism leads to violence thing, than a dualism leads to violence thing, although the two may be more closely related than I am thinking at the moment. I am more concerned about the notion of "We in my group got it right, and others didn't and are therefore deserving of less than full consideration" which leads to large scale violence.

As far as violence in a smaller scale with things like murder rates, assaults, and the like, I find it difficult to beleive that people in the ghetto are getting mugged because of anything remotely related to monotheism, dualism, or any other religious notions.

B.