Religion, Violence, Crime and Mass Suicide

Religious adherents no doubt find that their actions in life are influenced by their religious beliefs. The association between religion and violence is long-standing. This text looks more at individual acts of violence and crime, and not mass acts such as the Crusades or Holy Wars, as these become too intertwined with politics and culture.

1. Violence and Religion
   1. Religious Wars: Politics and Culture (Example: Nigeria and India)
   2. The Role of Strange Beliefs
   3. Africa: A Modern Christian/Muslim Front
   4. The Divine Endorsements of Violence
   5. Monotheism and Violent Intolerance
2. High Rates of Imprisonment
   1. Incarceration, Poverty, Intelligence and Religion
   2. Why Are There So Many Catholics in Prison?
   3. Discords Between Religious Belief and Law
3. Sex Crimes
4. Mass Murder and Suicide Cults
   1. Mass Delusion: 276 Child Murders and Over 600 Adult Suicides: Jim Jones' Peoples Temple
   2. Apocalyptic Survivalism: The Branch Davidian's Shoot-Out and the Sarin Gas Attack
   3. Rejection of the World and Mass Suicides: Order of the Solar Temple and Heaven's Gate
   4. The Role of Reactionary Mass Media in Isolating Idealistic Groups
5. Scriptural Justifications for Murder
   1. Hinduism
   2. Buddhism
   3. Christianity
   4. Islam
6. Conclusions
   1. Religious Authority and Idealism
   2. Intelligence
   3. Prevention
7. Links