Why are Americans so religious?
Discussion
Mercdriver said:
Easily led? Brought up to go to church from an early age so it is considered “normal”
Isn't that pretty much the way for most religions. If your parents follow a religion then chances are any children will follow the same religion, if any. I wonder if left to their own devices with no parental or outside influences how many people would follow a religion. jdw100 said:
Hugely complex topic.
People have already mentioned here the original Pilgrims.
That’s one factor but not a unique migration, many groups over a few centuries escaped ‘persecution’ in Europe by heading to the New World.
Have a read up on the Shaking Quakers (yes really!) as a good example. Not even your standard Quakers. This is the the millennial, fully celibate, no property, children brought up as a group, communal living, dance ‘til you drop version. Originator/prophet was Jesus the daughter of god….their interpretation of scripture proves god is both make and female.
Ties into this is the Great Awakening which led over time to the Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses etc.
Then you’ve got geography which has enable nearly 100 different types of baptist denominations to develop. You don’t like the flavour of this denomination; go a thousand miles and set up a different one.
I’m sure you’ve all read the Emo Phillips joke.
I would also say that Americans are not as religious as they necessarily appear.
Want to get on in your job? That might involve mixing with colleagues at the ‘right church’.
Bit like North Korea - maybe your boss believes the Leader is amazing, so you better be fervent in your applause of Kim as well. Maybe the boss just does it because his boss might believe. So no one ever really shows their real feelings.
Very easy to lose friends and family if you don’t remain in a church.
Yeah it's utterly bizarre. I was at a works bash over there and was talking to one fundamentalist God-bothering bloke who had about 7 kids and was toying with the idea of moving further in to tghe country so he could build a shooting range (ffs...). Then this other botherer wandered up and they had a 30 minute conversation comparing the ins and outs of the particular cults with which they were affiliated.People have already mentioned here the original Pilgrims.
That’s one factor but not a unique migration, many groups over a few centuries escaped ‘persecution’ in Europe by heading to the New World.
Have a read up on the Shaking Quakers (yes really!) as a good example. Not even your standard Quakers. This is the the millennial, fully celibate, no property, children brought up as a group, communal living, dance ‘til you drop version. Originator/prophet was Jesus the daughter of god….their interpretation of scripture proves god is both make and female.
Ties into this is the Great Awakening which led over time to the Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses etc.
Then you’ve got geography which has enable nearly 100 different types of baptist denominations to develop. You don’t like the flavour of this denomination; go a thousand miles and set up a different one.
I’m sure you’ve all read the Emo Phillips joke.
I would also say that Americans are not as religious as they necessarily appear.
Want to get on in your job? That might involve mixing with colleagues at the ‘right church’.
Bit like North Korea - maybe your boss believes the Leader is amazing, so you better be fervent in your applause of Kim as well. Maybe the boss just does it because his boss might believe. So no one ever really shows their real feelings.
Very easy to lose friends and family if you don’t remain in a church.
I also remember a colleague saying that he would never stay with a US collegue over the weeken ever again as when they ask you if you'd "like" to go to church with them they're not actually giving you an option.
Nothing against religion per se but this seems massively odd to me.
jdw100 said:
Hugely complex topic.
People have already mentioned here the original Pilgrims.
That’s one factor but not a unique migration, many groups over a few centuries escaped ‘persecution’ in Europe by heading to the New World.
Have a read up on the Shaking Quakers (yes really!) as a good example. Not even your standard Quakers. This is the the millennial, fully celibate, no property, children brought up as a group, communal living, dance ‘til you drop version. Originator/prophet was Jesus the daughter of god….their interpretation of scripture proves god is both make and female.
Ties into this is the Great Awakening which led over time to the Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses etc.
Then you’ve got geography which has enable nearly 100 different types of baptist denominations to develop. You don’t like the flavour of this denomination; go a thousand miles and set up a different one.
I’m sure you’ve all read the Emo Phillips joke.
I would also say that Americans are not as religious as they necessarily appear.
Want to get on in your job? That might involve mixing with colleagues at the ‘right church’.
Bit like North Korea - maybe your boss believes the Leader is amazing, so you better be fervent in your applause of Kim as well. Maybe the boss just does it because his boss might believe. So no one ever really shows their real feelings.
Very easy to lose friends and family if you don’t remain in a church.
Never heard of Mr Philips so here is his joke for those like myselfPeople have already mentioned here the original Pilgrims.
That’s one factor but not a unique migration, many groups over a few centuries escaped ‘persecution’ in Europe by heading to the New World.
Have a read up on the Shaking Quakers (yes really!) as a good example. Not even your standard Quakers. This is the the millennial, fully celibate, no property, children brought up as a group, communal living, dance ‘til you drop version. Originator/prophet was Jesus the daughter of god….their interpretation of scripture proves god is both make and female.
Ties into this is the Great Awakening which led over time to the Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses etc.
Then you’ve got geography which has enable nearly 100 different types of baptist denominations to develop. You don’t like the flavour of this denomination; go a thousand miles and set up a different one.
I’m sure you’ve all read the Emo Phillips joke.
I would also say that Americans are not as religious as they necessarily appear.
Want to get on in your job? That might involve mixing with colleagues at the ‘right church’.
Bit like North Korea - maybe your boss believes the Leader is amazing, so you better be fervent in your applause of Kim as well. Maybe the boss just does it because his boss might believe. So no one ever really shows their real feelings.
Very easy to lose friends and family if you don’t remain in a church.
The comedian Emo Philips has a well-known joke about religion that may explain some of the decline in membership...
"Once I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I said, "Don't do it!" He said, "Nobody loves me." I said, "God loves you. Do you believe in God?"
He said, "Yes." I said, "Are you a Christian or a Jew?" He said, "A Christian." I said, "Me, too! Protestant or Catholic?" He said, "Protestant." I said, "Me, too! What franchise?" He said, "Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?" He said, "Northern Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?"
He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern Region?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region." I said, "Me, too!"
Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912." I said, "Die, heretic!" And I pushed him over."
Super Sonic said:
It is possible to accept people's religions without participating.
I do accept that some people get comfort from the church, I do not have a problem with that unless they try to get me to participate.If you want to make money start a charity, if you want to make real money start a religion!
Smollet said:
jdw100 said:
Hugely complex topic.
People have already mentioned here the original Pilgrims.
That’s one factor but not a unique migration, many groups over a few centuries escaped ‘persecution’ in Europe by heading to the New World.
Have a read up on the Shaking Quakers (yes really!) as a good example. Not even your standard Quakers. This is the the millennial, fully celibate, no property, children brought up as a group, communal living, dance ‘til you drop version. Originator/prophet was Jesus the daughter of god….their interpretation of scripture proves god is both make and female.
Ties into this is the Great Awakening which led over time to the Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses etc.
Then you’ve got geography which has enable nearly 100 different types of baptist denominations to develop. You don’t like the flavour of this denomination; go a thousand miles and set up a different one.
I’m sure you’ve all read the Emo Phillips joke.
I would also say that Americans are not as religious as they necessarily appear.
Want to get on in your job? That might involve mixing with colleagues at the ‘right church’.
Bit like North Korea - maybe your boss believes the Leader is amazing, so you better be fervent in your applause of Kim as well. Maybe the boss just does it because his boss might believe. So no one ever really shows their real feelings.
Very easy to lose friends and family if you don’t remain in a church.
Never heard of Mr Philips so here is his joke for those like myselfPeople have already mentioned here the original Pilgrims.
That’s one factor but not a unique migration, many groups over a few centuries escaped ‘persecution’ in Europe by heading to the New World.
Have a read up on the Shaking Quakers (yes really!) as a good example. Not even your standard Quakers. This is the the millennial, fully celibate, no property, children brought up as a group, communal living, dance ‘til you drop version. Originator/prophet was Jesus the daughter of god….their interpretation of scripture proves god is both make and female.
Ties into this is the Great Awakening which led over time to the Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses etc.
Then you’ve got geography which has enable nearly 100 different types of baptist denominations to develop. You don’t like the flavour of this denomination; go a thousand miles and set up a different one.
I’m sure you’ve all read the Emo Phillips joke.
I would also say that Americans are not as religious as they necessarily appear.
Want to get on in your job? That might involve mixing with colleagues at the ‘right church’.
Bit like North Korea - maybe your boss believes the Leader is amazing, so you better be fervent in your applause of Kim as well. Maybe the boss just does it because his boss might believe. So no one ever really shows their real feelings.
Very easy to lose friends and family if you don’t remain in a church.
The comedian Emo Philips has a well-known joke about religion that may explain some of the decline in membership...
"Once I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I said, "Don't do it!" He said, "Nobody loves me." I said, "God loves you. Do you believe in God?"
He said, "Yes." I said, "Are you a Christian or a Jew?" He said, "A Christian." I said, "Me, too! Protestant or Catholic?" He said, "Protestant." I said, "Me, too! What franchise?" He said, "Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?" He said, "Northern Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?"
He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern Region?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region." I said, "Me, too!"
Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912." I said, "Die, heretic!" And I pushed him over."
Smollet said:
Never heard of Mr Philips so here is his joke for those like myself
The comedian Emo Philips has a well-known joke about religion that may explain some of the decline in membership...
"Once I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I said, "Don't do it!" He said, "Nobody loves me." I said, "God loves you. Do you believe in God?"
He said, "Yes." I said, "Are you a Christian or a Jew?" He said, "A Christian." I said, "Me, too! Protestant or Catholic?" He said, "Protestant." I said, "Me, too! What franchise?" He said, "Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?" He said, "Northern Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?"
He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern Region?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region." I said, "Me, too!"
Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912." I said, "Die, heretic!" And I pushed him over."
That’s the one! The comedian Emo Philips has a well-known joke about religion that may explain some of the decline in membership...
"Once I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I said, "Don't do it!" He said, "Nobody loves me." I said, "God loves you. Do you believe in God?"
He said, "Yes." I said, "Are you a Christian or a Jew?" He said, "A Christian." I said, "Me, too! Protestant or Catholic?" He said, "Protestant." I said, "Me, too! What franchise?" He said, "Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?" He said, "Northern Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?"
He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern Region?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region." I said, "Me, too!"
Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912." I said, "Die, heretic!" And I pushed him over."
Jimjimhim said:
They love God but seem to have no idea about anything outside of America.
A lot of Mormons spend time outside of USA on mission.It’s about, and I could be a bit out on my figures, 50,000 per year overseas. So over a decade you’ll have a sizeable number of people in a bonkers (one of favourites!) religion having spent time in other countries.
Same with other similar religions to LDS, except in smaller numbers.
A lot of Methodist and baptist churches have missionaries as well. You might be surprised how much money is raised and spent on missions.
CLK-GTR said:
I don't know why but their chosen thing often becomes a huge part of their identity in a way that doesn't happen in Europe.
European football fans want a word.As do Rangers and Celtic fans.
Which football team one supports is a huge part of many people's identity in Europe and the UK.
Generation after generation telling their children "you are a (insert denomination here) because WE are (insert denomination here)", and in many cases trying to rebel against that will at best put you at odds with your family and at worst get you shut out.
You can certainly argue "I wouldn't want to be a part of that family anyway" and I agree, but for many people it's not as easy to turn their back on their family even if that family is (often unintentionally) forging a toxic environment.
But in every generation more and more do say no to that brainwashing bulls
it. So progress is there. It's just going to take a lot more time.
You can certainly argue "I wouldn't want to be a part of that family anyway" and I agree, but for many people it's not as easy to turn their back on their family even if that family is (often unintentionally) forging a toxic environment.
But in every generation more and more do say no to that brainwashing bulls
it. So progress is there. It's just going to take a lot more time.TheJimi said:
European football fans want a word.
As do Rangers and Celtic fans.
Which football team one supports is a huge part of many people's identity in Europe and the UK.
Not really, not like it used to be. And the firm types that remain what do they all have in common? Thick as mince.As do Rangers and Celtic fans.
Which football team one supports is a huge part of many people's identity in Europe and the UK.
Edited by CLK-GTR on Sunday 23 June 13:34
CLK-GTR said:
TheJimi said:
European football fans want a word.
As do Rangers and Celtic fans.
Which football team one supports is a huge part of many people's identity in Europe and the UK.
Not really, not like it used to be. And the ones that remain what do they all have in common? Thick as mince.As do Rangers and Celtic fans.
Which football team one supports is a huge part of many people's identity in Europe and the UK.
CLK-GTR said:
TheJimi said:
European football fans want a word.
As do Rangers and Celtic fans.
Which football team one supports is a huge part of many people's identity in Europe and the UK.
Not really, not like it used to be. And the ones that remain what do they all have in common? Thick as mince.As do Rangers and Celtic fans.
Which football team one supports is a huge part of many people's identity in Europe and the UK.
I understood American religiosity was at last partly linked to the very weak welfare state.
If something goes wrong (illness, employment, etc) in the UK then the welfare state will help.
If something goes wrong in the US, you’re on your own. Unless you’re a member of a church which then helps you in a similar way to the welfare state.
So we in the UK pay NIC; in the US they pay x% of their income to their church.
If something goes wrong (illness, employment, etc) in the UK then the welfare state will help.
If something goes wrong in the US, you’re on your own. Unless you’re a member of a church which then helps you in a similar way to the welfare state.
So we in the UK pay NIC; in the US they pay x% of their income to their church.
It's strange how religion in the US finds its way into things.
I went to a NASCAR race at Las Vegas, they had some sort of prayer before the race. Very odd - oh lord, while you are dealing with pain, hunger, disease, oppression and generally running the planet, if you've a minute, bless our race.
I went to a NASCAR race at Las Vegas, they had some sort of prayer before the race. Very odd - oh lord, while you are dealing with pain, hunger, disease, oppression and generally running the planet, if you've a minute, bless our race.
AC43 said:
I also remember a colleague saying that he would never stay with a US collegue over the weeken ever again as when they ask you if you'd "like" to go to church with them they're not actually giving you an option.
When we visited Kerry (the bit of Ireland, not somebody called Kerry), the middle-aged owner of the B&B we were staying in gave us a bit of a run-down of what was on Valentia Island. Part way through he said where the church was if we wanted to go and pray. I let out an involuntary chortle as to my thirty-something UK ears it sounded so unusual and I my instinctive reaction was 'yeah right'. Bad move as he was very, very serious. He mentioned it a few more times and then offered for us to go with him when he went to do his praying - not even on a Sunday. He was properly put out when we declined, pleading that we'd already planned to have a look at a few other things. Wasn't sad to get the hell out of there tbh - it was also well out of season and as bleak as anything so thoughts of the Wicker Man/Misery kept rattling round my head. Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff