Let's Back It Up With Research

A growing body of criminological and sociological research supports the article’s argument that religious belief functions as a protective factor against crime. For example, Johnson et al. (2000) found that high religious commitment was associated with a 40 to 60 percent reduction in various forms of delinquency among adolescents. Similarly, Baier and Wright’s (2001) meta-analysis of 60 studies concluded that religiosity has a moderate but consistently negative relationship with criminal behavior, supporting the internalized-morality model central to Social Control Theory. The article explains that religious teachings promote conscience formation and self-regulation, mechanisms consistent with Hirschi’s (1969) assertion that strong internal and social bonds reduce deviance. Other research, such as Shariff & Norenzayan (2007), demonstrates that belief in a morally watchful, punitive deity increases ethical behavior through heightened perceived accountability, aligning with classical Deterrence Theory. Studies also show that participation in religious institutions enhances social cohesion and strengthens protective social networks; for instance, Wallace et al. (2007) found that adolescents involved in religious communities had significantly lower rates of substance use and violent behavior. Taken together, these findings support the article’s conclusion that religious belief and community integration help reduce crime by shaping individual psychology, reinforcing pro-social norms, and strengthening collective social order.