Just a question out of interest. With such things as forgiveness being a trait of religions and the act of writing to a prisoner.

Personally i have no religious beliefs although i have briefly studied religious philosphy and ethics, which i actually found interesting, but i found this had little to do with readings of such things as the bible, in fact we didnt touch on the bible much at all.

This might just be a random observation to me, but it seems that Americans are more involved with religion than we are (UK) and more Americans seem to be church goers. Maybe i'm wrong tho!

I am agnostic. Forgiveness isn't necessarily a religious trait, nor is writing to a prisoner. I can't speak for anyone else, but I chose to write death row inmates first out of curiosity (which quickly dwindled), then out of kindness. I don't pity those on the row, nor do I condone their alledged crimes, but I realize that they are human like you and me and deserve friends.

I honestly have no idea if Americans are more likely to go to chruch or not.

I was saying writing to prisoners was a religious trait. I was referring to it as being some kind of 'forgiveness' towards the prisoner if you like. Not sure if that makes any sense though !

Personally, I haven't "forgiven" any prisoner because I'm not the person from whom forgiveness is needed. IMO, you can't forgive someone who hasn't wronged you. I haven't judged them, if that's what you're asking. Religion is supposed to be about forgiveness and non-judgment; if a person is religious, it doesn't mean they are forgiving and non-judgmental and vice versa.