Spirituality and punitiveness: An exploration of Christian, Buddhist, and non-religious attitudes towards crime

Studies measuring religious views towards crime and punishment have mainly focused on Christianity and its denominations in a western setting. They have also used measures that are exclusive to the Christian faith. Other major religions have largely been ignored. This study attempts to rectify this by exploring the attitudes of Christians, Buddhists and those identifying themselves as non-religious towards crime. The results indicate some apparent contradictory findings as the more spiritual Buddhists are, the more they attribute crime to both individual and environmental causes as well as greater support for both coercive and social intervention measures. When compared to the Buddhists, Christians and the non-religious are more supportive of assistance towards the treatment of offenders in this study.

► The attitudes towards crime of three groups are explored. ► The three groups were Christians, Buddhists and the non-religious. ► The interaction between spirituality and religion was gauged. ► The more spiritual Buddhists were, the more they supported intervention measures. ► Christians and the non-religious are more supportive of treatment of offenders.