Hell and prison fail for the same reason

Matthew Yglesias

is writing a series in defense of the utility of using “left” and “right” to describe the most salient political poles.

I don’t yet agree with him. I think “authoritarian” and “liberal” are the most salient political poles.

But he makes some interesting points in part one.

He mentions religion, which is a frequent topic around these parts.

Yglesias thinks that religiosity is a major difference between left- and right-wing folks. He quotes Dostoevsky to summarize the right-wing view: “If God is dead, everything is permitted.”

People on the right seem to think that folks won’t act right without the threat of Hell.

My mom says that when someone tells you who they are, listen to them. Anyone who claims that without the threat of eternal damnation most people would do a lot of stealing, raping, and killing is telling on themselves.

I haven’t seen that belief in Hell improves behavior. And I think it fails for the same reason prison fails to deter crime.