%woot% $ depends what religion, generally i'd say yeh, but, dont have time, bye

Faith could give people an alternative thing to aspire to, a hope. It also includs a moral philosophy that can deter drug use.

I believe there would be a corrolation, yes.

Just because there is a correlation between something does not imply causation. It doesn't follow that religion prevented them from getting into drugs. It's just as likely that the kinds of people who are inclined to be religious are the kinds of people not to get involved with drugs.

You would agree, kyry, would you not, that athletes are disinclined toward drugs because of the direct detriment to that which they need to perform their tasks, right? Wouldn't drug abuse, then, be detrimental to the very doctrine held dear by religious people, and therefore it is less likely for them to get involved with it?

W turned to religion to keep off alcohol... I suppose that I could agree with this study.

Maybe so, Uncle, but this study does not prove it. I'm merely pointing out that one conclusion is as plausible as the other here, and so one cannot choose between them with certainty.

If we have to be completely sure, I suppose this isn't airtight, but I'd put money on it.

There isn't any proof that if you're religious, you won't use drugs. Therefore the study is a load of crap. I know a few people that are religious and use drugs.

I'm pretty skeptical about it. I know plenty of people that have no interest in religion that don't do drugs.

How is a study that says they are "less likely" to use drugs a load of crap? How does knowing "a few" people who are religious and use drugs invalidate their study?

That's rubbish, XTC. The purpose of this study is to provide evidence that being religious keeps you off drugs; you're implying it has to be proven before it can be proved? And so what if you know "a few" people that are religious and on drugs? Explain how this invalidates the study.

They aren't claiming that *no* religious people use drugs; there is a high correlation between the two. That's all.

I see the merits to the study. If one actually practices religious doctrine (versus simply saying "I'm Christian because I celebrate Christmas"), it stands to reason that there is an associated lifestyle and certain restrictions on what crazy pastimes that person engages in. Those that devoutly follow Juseo-Christian faiths tend, in my experience, to not use drugs because it's discouraged by religious institutions and texts. I'd go further and guess that people who have extremely solid personal lives, with a lot of family support and stabilizing structures (like religion) are much less likely to use drugs. If they experiment, they are more likely to stop using drugs than people who don't have the stability that family and religion can bring.

^^that should have said "Judeo-Christian," sorry.

It might for some people, but not for everyone. I'm most definitely not religious and I've never had the urge to smoke or do drugs. Alcohol on the other hand...i've had it a few times, some of it's good, some of it's gross, and i've never been drunk in my life and i don't ever plan on getting drunk.

perhaps the kids that are religious are better liars when it comes to drug use. perhaps im just a skeptical cynic that despises the 'more righteous than thou' attitude that seems to go with piety.

im not religous at all and i only drink alcohol accasionaly when i go out and have never smoked but i know someone who goes to church every week that has done them all so id vote no!

Of course there is a correlation, people who are religious(fundamentalists) dont do anything because it is evil, they just tell everyone else they're evil

agree with u moe!

Kaos, you can't say you drink but you've never done drugs. Alcohol is one of the worst drugs possible to put in your body. So you would fall in the category of non-religious people that do in fact do drugs, thus supporting the study.

I just saw this thread again and decided to reply to Kiki. I have never done illegal drugs and I never will. That is usually how I use the term drugs. I don't use it to include ones that are legal. If I did well then I would have to call everyone I know an addict because they all use tylenol or asprin when they have a headache. They all ingest some form of caffine. As far as I know Alcohol is not illegal.

I think it's only related in that some children w/ relgion...any religion, have good morals and a lot of parental involvement.

well, i cant speak for all religions but from what i have seen in teens who truly believe in God, there is a MUCH lower usage of drugs...because they are living their life for god, trying to be totally for him, and at the same time, he helps them through their struggles reducing any need for drugs- his power is greater than drugs!

So kaos when they make marijuana legal in Canada you won't be a drug user if you use it then, but you would be now just because some people say it's illegal? Makes a lot of sense ... I have a real problem with drinkers who say they hate drugs :P