Would God Forgive? Public Attitudes Toward Sex Offenders in Places of Worship

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 567-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher P. Dum ◽  
Kelly M. Socia ◽  
Brooke L. Long ◽  
Fritz Yarrison

Previous research has explored the impact of faith and religion on recidivism. However, it focused primarily on violent offenders, drug users, tax evaders, and so on. Missing is an examination of registered sex offenders (RSOs) and the role religion and religiosity play in facilitating reentry. Religiosity and religious organizations may play a role in increasing social bonds and reducing isolation in RSOs. In addition, being surrounded by a faith-based community could act as a catalyst for identity transformation from a RSO to a community member. Using a national online sample of U.S. adults, this research investigates individual’s support of policies controlling sex offenders in religious communities and how demographic characteristics affect these views. Results suggest that Protestants and Other (non-Catholic) Christians are the most accepting of RSOs in places of worship. In addition, the stronger an individual’s faith, the less accepting they are of RSOs. Older, liberal, and educated respondents are more accepting of RSOs.

10.28945/2926 ◽  
2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
James N. Morgan ◽  
Craig A. VanLengen

The divide between those who have computer and Internet access and those who do not appears to be narrowing, however overall statistics may be misleading. Measures of computer availability in schools often include cases where computers are only available for administration or are available only on a very limited basis (Gootman, 2004). Access to a computer and the Internet outside of school helps to reinforce student learning and emphasize the importance of using technology. Recent U.S. statistics indicate that ethnic background and other demographic characteristics still have substantial impact on the availability and use of computers by students outside of the classroom. This paper examines recent census data to determine the impact of the household on student computer use outside of the classroom. Encouragingly, the findings of this study suggest that use of a computer at school substantially increases the chance that a student will use a computer outside of class. Additionally, this study suggests that computer use outside of the classroom is positively and significantly impacted by being in a household with adults who either use a computer at work or work in an industry where computers are extensively used.


Author(s):  
Katarzyna Staniewska ◽  
Danuta Jakubowska ◽  
Monika Radzymińska

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of socio-demographic variables on consumer attitudes towards food with a reduced sugar content. The study was conducted in educational institutions, a university and educational centers for seniors located in the Warmia-Mazury, using a survey research method, indirect technique (an original interview questionnaire). In total, 750 respondents were interviewed. The majority of respondents, regardless of socio-demographic characteristics, assesses the health benefits of the sugar content reduction as large and rather large. Despite this, a relatively small portion of respondents, varied by gender and age, used in their diets sugar substitutes and was interested in products with a reduced sugar content. According to the most of the respondents, lowering the sugar content of a product affects the deterioration of its flavor.


Author(s):  
Dorota Kmieć

The paper attempts to identify the causes of unemployment among the rural population. Logit model was used to determine the size of the impact of explanatory factors examined the situation in the labor market. The following potential predictors were considered: socio-demographic characteristics and household income, improving one’s skills through training and personal competencies.


Author(s):  
Jeff Levin ◽  
Stephen G. Post

In Religion and Medicine, Dr. Jeff Levin, distinguished Baylor University epidemiologist, outlines the longstanding history of multifaceted interconnections between the institutions of religion and medicine. He traces the history of the encounter between these two institutions from antiquity through to the present day, highlighting a myriad of contemporary alliances between the faith-based and medical sectors. Religion and Medicine tells the story of: religious healers and religiously branded hospitals and healthcare institutions; pastoral professionals involved in medical missions, healthcare chaplaincy, and psychological counseling; congregational health promotion and disease prevention programs and global health initiatives; research studies on the impact of religious and spiritual beliefs and practices on physical and mental health, well-being, and healing; programs and centers for medical research and education within major universities and academic institutions; religiously informed bioethics and clinical decision-making; and faith-based health policy initiatives and advocacy for healthcare reform. Religion and Medicine is the first book to cover the full breadth of this subject. It documents religion-medicine alliances across religious traditions, throughout the world, and over the course of history. It summarizes a wide range of material of relevance to historians, medical professionals, pastors and theologians, bioethicists, scientists, public health educators, and policymakers. The product of decades of rigorous and focused research, Dr. Levin has produced the most comprehensive history of these developments and the finest introduction to this emerging field of scholarship.


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