Why are Americans so religious?
Discussion
Compared with other similarly developed countries in Europe, but also elsewhere eg Japan or China, Americans are much more religious, not just in the percentage believing in god but those for whom religion is an important part of their daily lives. But why is that the case?
Religion used to be a fundamental part of European life too and most Americans have their roots in Europe and are Christians. How is it that the importance of religion has dwindled in Europe but still holds firm in the US?
On the topic of religion in the US has anyone else been reading about project 2025? Pretty scary stuff (if you are not a Christian fundamentalist - or rather a white male Christian fundamentalist).
Religion used to be a fundamental part of European life too and most Americans have their roots in Europe and are Christians. How is it that the importance of religion has dwindled in Europe but still holds firm in the US?
On the topic of religion in the US has anyone else been reading about project 2025? Pretty scary stuff (if you are not a Christian fundamentalist - or rather a white male Christian fundamentalist).
Skeptisk said:
Compared with other similarly developed countries in Europe, but also elsewhere eg Japan or China, Americans are much more religious, not just in the percentage believing in god but those for whom religion is an important part of their daily lives. But why is that the case?
Religion used to be a fundamental part of European life too and most Americans have their roots in Europe and are Christians. How is it that the importance of religion has dwindled in Europe but still holds firm in the US?
On the topic of religion in the US has anyone else been reading about project 2025? Pretty scary stuff (if you are not a Christian fundamentalist - or rather a white male Christian fundamentalist).
Lots of America is pretty isolated from the real world hence their “addiction” to religion. I think it’s fair to say the Bible Belt falls very much into that category. Religion used to be a fundamental part of European life too and most Americans have their roots in Europe and are Christians. How is it that the importance of religion has dwindled in Europe but still holds firm in the US?
On the topic of religion in the US has anyone else been reading about project 2025? Pretty scary stuff (if you are not a Christian fundamentalist - or rather a white male Christian fundamentalist).
America has seen a huge decline in its practicing Christian population. People will often identify as Christian in a census (especially in the USA), but have only attended a church for a wedding or a funeral.
By 2030, china might be counting more Christians than USA. Out of the top 20 countries with the fastest Christian growth, 11 of them are Muslim countries despite persecution of Christian in those countries.
By 2030, china might be counting more Christians than USA. Out of the top 20 countries with the fastest Christian growth, 11 of them are Muslim countries despite persecution of Christian in those countries.
The original settlers
the internet said:
The group that set out from Plymouth, in southwestern England, in September 1620 included 35 members of a radical Puritan faction known as the English Separatist Church.
The believed the Church of England didnt follow the bible closely enough so formed their own religious movement.Easily led? Brought up to go to church from an early age so it is considered “normal”
I was 12 before I rebelled about going to church, made to go each week, indoctrination, hated it and refused to join church, not much my parents could do and they accepted it.
Now I will not set foot in any church of any denomination for any reason, to me weddings, christenings and funerals just keep people going to church even people who do not attend.
A lot of the world’s troubles are down to people not accepting other people’s religion.
I was 12 before I rebelled about going to church, made to go each week, indoctrination, hated it and refused to join church, not much my parents could do and they accepted it.
Now I will not set foot in any church of any denomination for any reason, to me weddings, christenings and funerals just keep people going to church even people who do not attend.
A lot of the world’s troubles are down to people not accepting other people’s religion.
M5-911 said:
Blib said:
Those on the Mayflower and similar vessels, left Europe because their passengers were so devout that C17th was not religious enough for them.
IMO, it's a pity that the Mayflower didn't sink.
Non religious have as much tolerance as religious extremists from what you say.... IMO, it's a pity that the Mayflower didn't sink.
Their deification by the generations that followed has blighted western society ever since the US state emerged.
These people were the antithesis of The Enlightenment and we are feeling the effects of them and their adherents to this day.
CLK-GTR said:
Americans love to pin their colours to a post. Religion, favourite sports team, college they went to, unit they served in, etc etc. 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.
Because the have got no history.It's not.just America, Australia and New Zealand are very religious.
Lots of mega churches here in NZ, the Mormons are building an insanely large church in Auckland and have almost a small town in Hamilton.
I live in a small town of about 50/60k people and it seems like every week a new back garden church is popping up. And the amount of people I meet who I would never have thought were religious but talk about the church the go to.
So people I've talked to only go for the community side of things and love helping out.
Lots of mega churches here in NZ, the Mormons are building an insanely large church in Auckland and have almost a small town in Hamilton.
I live in a small town of about 50/60k people and it seems like every week a new back garden church is popping up. And the amount of people I meet who I would never have thought were religious but talk about the church the go to.
So people I've talked to only go for the community side of things and love helping out.
Mercdriver said:
Now I will not set foot in any church of any denomination for any reason, to me weddings, christenings and funerals just keep people going to church even people who do not attend.
A lot of the world’s troubles are down to people not accepting other people’s religion.
Ironic A lot of the world’s troubles are down to people not accepting other people’s religion.
Mr Penguin said:
Mercdriver said:
Now I will not set foot in any church of any denomination for any reason, to me weddings, christenings and funerals just keep people going to church even people who do not attend.
A lot of the world’s troubles are down to people not accepting other people’s religion.
Ironic A lot of the world’s troubles are down to people not accepting other people’s religion.
Blib said:
M5-911 said:
Blib said:
Those on the Mayflower and similar vessels, left Europe because their passengers were so devout that C17th was not religious enough for them.
IMO, it's a pity that the Mayflower didn't sink.
Non religious have as much tolerance as religious extremists from what you say.... IMO, it's a pity that the Mayflower didn't sink.
Their deification by the generations that followed has blighted western society ever since the US state emerged.
These people were the antithesis of The Enlightenment and we are feeling the effects of them and their adherents to this day.
The latter ties directly back to the religious fundamentalists that rejected all the huge advances that Europe was making at the time.
The religious thing is one of their oddities, their strong aversion to any sort of public nudity too. They would never dream of top less sunbathing for example. Or profanity. Which is a bit weird, because they'd use profanity but in a way they thought it was OK. For example "Aww s
t! My dog did a poop on the carpet".
t! My dog did a poop on the carpet".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.
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.
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