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And there-in lies the problem of modern society. There are no social consequences. The decline of religion and family with no suitable replacement has left most people without a peer group to exert these social consequences.

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Lots of people in the US are religious. This generally doesn’t seem to dramatically lower crime on a statistical basis (with all kinds of caveats.)

Far less than in previous generations. And just because people vaguely claim to be religious in some general sense today doesn't mean that their vague generalities provide them with communities that bring about social responsibility.

Yeah, a whole lot of Americans who still click the "religious" box on a poll are just going on habit and family tradition, or they go to a church that's become part social club and part community charity center. (Nothing wrong with charity, of course, but you don't have to be religious to be charitable.) It doesn't mean what it meant a few generations ago, when, probably coincidentally, there was less crime.

A lot of HN readers would get a lot out of watching more Star Trek: TNG.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_(Star_Trek:_The_Next_G...

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