yes this is not proof to you but to me this is proof.
There's no such thing as subjective proof.
the thing is that it is hard to find a survey that shows the questions asked people. it is hard to find a survey that shows if the person commiting the crime believe in God. Do Gang members believe in God. Are gang members praticing what God has taught to do? here i have a website that you could look at would this be considered to be proof? Article says that canada has a 50% higher crime rate that America. Canad is less religous than America according to this other site.
Canada's Crime Rate 50 % Higher than U.S.
The public commitment to religion in countries worldwide
Well, that first one is a news article, and I'm not familiar with that reporting company, so I don't know about its credibility. As for that second website, we have to remember that many individuals define religion differently, and doesn't say the percentage of religious practice in the country; just the percentage of people for whom religion is important. There is a difference.
Got anything else?
the fact that crime is higher in american states that have i higher religious practice is not poof to me. What cities are these crimes being commited? Are most of the religious people in rural areas or more densely populated cities? and island called malta is 95-98% christian and has a lower crime rate than Japan. Does Japan keep good records of crimes. is it because of there laws that crime is so low. hey maybe we should execute people that will have a life sentence in jail the very next day. maybe hollywood should stop glorifying criminal activity. Does japan have a hollywood? do people in japan buy video games like grand theft auto. Are people there even allowed to play video games?
Dude... Japan is THE video-gaming country. Greats like Mario, Zelda, Final Fantasy, Metroid, Metal Gear Solid, Megaman, Sonic the Hedgehog, etc. originated there. It's
the place that gave the world console RPGs; American RPGs pale in comparison to the Epics found there, some of which have plots that I believe are on par with the great Epics of history. It's also a place where porno is listed alongside other DVDs. (I've seen it.) And yet, Tokyo, I've heard, is one of the safest places to live.
And Japan also has a far better film industry than America; have you seen any Japanese films? If not, go watch The Ring, and then go watch Ringu. Ringu is the Japanese original; The Ring is the American remake. Compare the two, and you'll have an idea as to the state of American cinema versus Japanese cinema.
And do not make the mistake of thinking that violent video games produce violence. I play violent video games all the time, but I'm a pacifist; I consider it a sin to swat a fly.
However, you are thinking correctly that religion cannot be the cause of the violence in America alone, as there are several other factors, and it is good that you are exploring other alternatives. But don't forget to check them.