This chapter analyzes the effect of religious affiliation and individual religiosity on attitudes towards violence and delinquent behavior of juveniles in Germany and took into account the migration status and the social background. There are several theoretical approaches that incorporate religion into their explanations of criminal behavior. Hirschi’s social control theory, for example, argues that beliefs play an important role in explaining why some people do not commit deviant behavior. According to Agnew’s general strain theory negative experiences or aversive behaviors of others could elicit negative emotions. Baier and Wright published a meta-analysis of 60 American studies. The studies reviewed produced mixed results regarding the effects of religion on individual deviance and criminal behavior. Islamic juveniles had clearly higher rates of violent offences and slightly higher rates of severe property offences, but the lowest rates of alcohol abuse and illegal drug use. Young Muslims posted the highest rate of victimization from severe parental maltreatment.
