Ros,
I would definitely say that England is less fervently religious than the United States. People over here seem to recoil from organised religion.
It does seem that the more fundamentalist a society is in terms of its religion the more vigorously it enforces ‘punishment’ for breaking that society’s laws e.g. capital punishment.
A more liberal and less fundamentalist society tends to be more tolerant and recognises individuality and diversity. These societies are usually ‘softer’ in their treatment of criminals.
So, why is this? It could be because religious fundamentalism demands a mental and emotional rigidity that requires regulated and obedient behaviour from everyone. People who do not follow a rigid religious doctrine have the capacity to believe people can change and would rather educate than punish. They would rather that people saw the sense in following laws than instil fear or social retribution e.g. capital punishment.
When I hear that religions condone capital punishment I question whether they are really serving their God or whether they are merely aligning with social leaders to control their society. Marx may have had a point. Religious organisations are more to do with man and power here on earth than with spiritual issues. The Bible I know is full of contradictions, but few Christians would disagree that love and forgiveness is an overriding theme. Capital punishment is unforgiving, it is judgemental, it is final, and it is about man – not God.
Englishman.
..... fanaticism masquerading beneath a cloak of reasoned logic.