"Religion is often thought of as psychological defense against bad behavior, but researchers have recently found that the effect of religion on pro-social behaviors may actually be driven by the belief in hell and supernatural punishment rather than faith in heaven and spiritual benevolence. In a large analysis of 26 years of data consisting of 143,197 people in 67 countries, psychologists found significantly lower crime rates in societies where many people believe in hell compared to those where more people believed in heaven."
The idea that fear is a more effective motivation behind an individuals behaviour is rather very interesting in my own opinion. In as much it seems to be a recurring theme I have been observing lately. In The 50th Law by Robert Green he goes into detail how fear stops us from accomplishing our aspirations. But my thinking have turned more to the idea that perhaps we cannot get rid of fear and should rather look into how to utilize our fear. I spend a lot of time thinking about how to rid myself of ‘fear’ but I doubt it is possible. So yes I agree the carrot is more effective than the stick and it makes sense that the belief in hell would be more a motivator to behave better. But it comes back to the idea can say atheists that do not believe in heaven and hell be motivated to be good. The answer is a resounding yes. I fear a life of insignificance more than anything else in the world. I want to make a difference and that I think is best served by being the best person I can be.
I’ve been chewing this over all morning, and seriously, I doubt the stats being presented here. One can make a loose correlation with countries that have the death sentence, and we all know that it is not a deterrent at all. I’d rather suspect another influence is at work here, not simply the belief in hell or heaven as a motivation.
@SuperDUPERman, fear will stop us from accomplishing our aspirations, its human nature not wanting to risk what we have ALREADY, and playing it safe for the sake of family and the like. The rules to crime works a tad differently, many if not most criminally minded have very little to lose in the first place and fear just simply doesnt come into it.
What I also find interesting is how the fear of being ostracized affects peoples behaviour. I think it mostly prevalent when we are teenagers but I have experienced it myself even just lately. I was really shocked how badly some of my friends took to my disbelief in astronomy. I was just so socked that anybody really believes in that. I intially thought I should not have said anything but later I felt more confident in my own thinking and being myself.
You’re joking, right?
Rigil
Oh dear, yes I am always in such a hurry that I make these kinds of mistakes. I also don’t like that I used the word “shocked” twice.
Awwww man, and I was so looking forward to defending astrology! 
The difference between “astronomy” and"astrology": Astrology is spelled with a “L”. The word “lie” is also spelled with a “L”.
Never mind, the second one was “socked” anyway! >:D 
I don’t believe in astronomy either. I provisionally accept it, based on the available evidence and subject to modification as new evidence becomes available. 
OK, I shall really try and read my posts again before posting.
Perhaps this will help. The other day I was fortunate enough to read this topic:
http://forum.skeptic.za.org/general-skepticism/daniela-leigh-and-her-house-of-angels/
I never read something as mean and nasty as what this salvador posted. I then told myself I would never do that, well even before reading this I don’t think I would have ever said such things. But it really hit home.
My gosh, those were the days hey!
Rigil
;D ;D ;D
My word, these all-loving angel people are pernicious!
More like puerile and spiteful, especially when faced with hard questions suggesting their angel delusions won’t fly for want of wings. Even at time, the barbs were far funnier than hurtful.
'Luthon64
Been thinking a lot last night about this. Firstly, I want to put some things straight to be more truthful. My friends and I did not just argue (lets call it a debate) about astrology but also atheism. Although I knew before (and in hindsite) that there is a difference between the two words when typing I did not recognize it. I most probably in the past without thinking have mixed the words up. I make these mistakes cause I don’t think things through.
Dude, its a total nonissue. Why you stress? 8) While accurate typing is usually preferable for the sake of bringing the message across, I’ll be very suprised if anyone will nit pick … unless the error changes the meaning of what you are saying, or (naturally, because humans are all clowns at heart) to milk the error for it’s humourous possibilities. Sometimes I mix up words just for the hell of it - and those done unintentionally sometimes have quite entertaining outcomes. This forum contains a number of them. “Shamgomas” somehow springs to mind, and “duplicity”.
Astrology and theism share the same fundamental flaw. Hence they are easily linked, and it is quite possible to treat them as members of the same set during a debate. To birds with one stone, if you want.
Rigil
Thank you Rigil but I am more angry at myself. The computer did ask me the spelling when I did the spell check and I still did not click. So in fact I did deserve everything I got and more, I was stupid. I can kick myself but there you go. It shows that I do have a lot more learning to do. I blame it partly on my manager that kept on disturbing me or I am just rationalizing. I do it all the time.
PS Also Gareth Cliff also said something about owning up, on the radio, when you make a mistake so perhaps it is just guilt.