Will Rex Heuermann's New Found 'Religion' Help His Case?

In a recent episode of "Hidden Killers" podcast, host Tony
Brueski sat down with psychotherapist and author, Shavaun Scott,
to dissect the curious behavior of Rex Heuermann, who is
reportedly leaning towards religion while being incarcerated. The
conversation, though centered around Heuermann, brought up a
larger point - the frequency with which incarcerated individuals
turn to religion, a phenomenon commonly termed as 'jailhouse
religion'.
 
 “We're talking right now about Rex Heuermann,” Tony began,
and mentioned Heuermann's current living conditions, hinting at
the psychological toll that may ensue from being in confinement.
Of particular interest to Brueski was Heuermann’s reported wish
to have religious services, specifically from the Roman Catholic
Church, brought to him. Brueski stated, “...but he is of Roman
Catholic descent, and we're told that someone from the Roman
Catholic Church has come in.”
 
 Addressing this, Scott revealed, “Jailhouse religion, I
cannot tell you how common that is.” She further explained that
even individuals with a history of serious crimes suddenly become
intensely interested in spiritual matters when incarcerated.
Comparing it to the sudden surge of faith among soldiers in war,
she opined that it's a “human tendency to reach out to the
supernatural for comfort when people are feeling a lot of
stress.”
 
 Scott's perspective is particularly enlightening as she
suggests that this gravitation towards faith might not be as
straightforward as it appears. While on the surface, it may look
like a genuine search for redemption or spiritual solace, the
reasons behind such a shift could be manifold. Some might be
seeking a genuine connection, while others could be motivated by
more ulterior motives.
 
 But do these individuals, especially those accused or
convicted of heinous crimes, perceive and adopt religion in the
same manner as others? Tony posed an intriguing question: "Is it
speaking to them differently? Does it play into their
narcissism?" Scott's answer provided a window into the mind of
such individuals. She speculated that for some, turning to
religion could be a method of absolving responsibility. She
explained, “If you believe you've been forgiven for whatever sin
you've committed just by praying about it, you may gain a little
bit of comfort from that.”
 
 Another interesting angle was whether these inmates use
their newfound faith as a strategic move during trials. Could
showcasing a religious transformation affect jury sentiments?
Brueski remarked, "It's definitely that... It looks good." Scott
expanded on this idea, highlighting the instances where convicts
engage in spiritual performances to attract and manipulate
vulnerable individuals, especially women seeking relationships
with 'bad boys'.
 
 The conversation didn't limit itself to prisons. Tony drew
parallels with businesses that wear their faith on their sleeves,
possibly as a strategic move. “Where a business will add some
sort of religious aspect to their signage or to their logo...,”
he observed, indicating that this might not always stem from
genuine faith, but rather an attempt to attract a certain
clientele or project trustworthiness.
 
 In concluding remarks, both Tony and Scott agreed on the
manipulative nature of this phenomenon when not genuine. Scott
summarized, “They know that's going to build trust and people
will ask fewer questions if they believe that, 'oh, we're talking
to a person of God,' so therefore, it gives this veneer of
righteousness to them. So it's a pretty dirty manipulation when
it's done that way.”
 
 The episode, rich with insights from Scott, is a testament
to the multifaceted nature of human behavior. Whether one
believes in the authenticity of 'jailhouse religion' or sees it
as a strategic move, the phenomenon undoubtedly presents an
intriguing facet of the human psyche, begging further
exploration.

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