Expert: Austin Cline - 7/18/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi. My question is are you skeptical when you hear someone who has a checkered past(particularly someone who is either serving a prison sentence) say they suddenly "found god"? I am an atheist, and I work as a librarian in a women's prison. I have noticed a pattern of inmates(particularly those serving life sentences or on death row) turning to religion, and they usually take it to the extreme. Most of them either turn to Christianity or Islam, rarely alternative religions such as Wicca for example. I am curious as to what your opinion is on this matter? I personally believe that most of them are not being sincere, and that religion appeals to them because it meets certain needs for them. What do you think? Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Stella

ANSWER: I'm hesitant to give much of an answer here - you have more first-hand knowledge of the people involved than I do. I'm not aware of any studies done about the sincerity of religious beliefs in prison.

However, I am aware that prisoners, given their situation, will seek out any little advantage or distraction which they can get. If religion makes any aspect of life easier or less tedious, then that alone may be good enough reason to "find religion" - and thus also reason to question the sincerity of at least some.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi there. Please allow me to ask a more general question. Why is it that religion appeals to so many people? I personally do not understand it. People seem to find comfort in it, while I always found it so oppressive and restrictive. I simply don't understand why so many people are so eager to give control of their life over to someone or something else. I also don't understand how people who are well-educated and otherwise very bright and clever individuals are incapable of critical thinking when it comes to religious beliefs? I was raised christian, and studied the bible at length. In order to believe the stories contained within it one must cease to think rationally, logically and critically. The bible is filled with contradictions, and can basically be used to justify any point of view.

For example, in the state in which I live and work we have capital punishment. It is also a VERY conservative, predominantly christian state. I am totally oppossed to the death penalty. I am also oppossed to the conditions that the inmates live under, and some of the prison policies and rules which I feel are actually counterproductive to the goal of rehabilitation.

I have gotten into many an argument with a christian colleague about the death penalty. The truth is that the bible can be used to support it OR to condemn it. It all depends on interpretation.

I actually considered moving(but I love my job very much) because I have been persecuted for being an atheist. They preach to ME their perverted sense of morality, yet I am more compassionate than all of them put together. Sexism and homophobia are rife among the predominantly male staff, and I believe this is due to their religious upbringing. After all, the bible condones both!

Something I find incredibly frustrating is how religion is forced on prisoners, who are vulnerable as it is and desperate to find purpose and meaning in their lives. Inmates in segregation for example are ONLY allowed "educational" or "religious" material approved either by the prison psychiatrist(a chauvenist pig who can not stand me because I am not afraid to stand up to him) or the chaplain(even worse!). I tried to get one inmate the book titled "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins, and was told that would not be allowed. Yet christian inmates are allowed to have the bible, and books written by christian authors such as Joel Osteen and Joyce Meyers. Clearly discrimination, yet nothing can be done about it or so it seems. It is quite frustrating. It is also frustrating to have people constantly preaching at me and trying to convert me. One inmate(a woman who is serving a life sentence for murdering her two children) actually had the audacity to tell me I would be going to hell if I did not accept God.

Anyway, I am rambling on here. It is so nice to be able to converse on this subject with someone who is of likemind and may understand where I am coming from. I am tired of hearing christians complain of being persecuted. That is BS! It is non-believers who are persecuted, not christians.

Sincerely,

Stella

Answer
The appeal of religion is not a simple issue. Religion answers a lot of questions people have. It gives them a place in the world. It tells them that regardless of how bad the situation looks now, it will turn out OK in the end. It tells them someone cares and has their best interests at heart.

Sure, it can seem oppressive, but many people are more bothered by too much liberty and freedom - when they have too many options, they panic. These two book reviews might be enlightening:

http://atheism.about.com/od/bookreviews/fr/DesertPatriarch.htm
http://atheism.about.com/od/bookreviews/fr/MothersFather.htm

People's commitment to religion is more emotional and psychological than logical. They didn't adopt their religion on the basis of reason so you won't be able to reason them out of their religion, either.