America and christianity

[ric449]

I have a question about America and christianity. I notice that when bad things are happening, such as another thread where someone could have aids, it has a lot of people saying their prayers are with him etc. My question is if America is a highly christian country, because in my opinion the UK is a highly atheist country, and I want to know just how alike the UK and America is. I know hardly anyone who actually believes in god and goes to church and prays here in the UK, so I want to know just how different it is over in America.

*EDIT* I know that religion is a touchy subject, so moderators, if any trouble breaks out, I'll be sure to report it.

[bailey]

I don't think this subject is allowed on two points.
religion and polictics

[ric449]

I'm just curious exactly how the US is compared to the UK on religion. But, if this is too extreme, would a moderator please tell me and close this thread.

[Panama Red]

Don't know how you are going to get comparative answers, ric. One would have to have experienced first hand the difference by living in both countries for a while. Even different regions of the US can provide different religious exposure. Think you'd be better off doing some library or web research.

[pop-tart]

I only wish it would be so easy to sum that question up. The clostest thing to americans i've seen on the planet has been australians. we're pratically the same considering minor differences in our culture.

I am going to try to answer how it really is here by saying: each state is a different country, there are so many differences coming in and out of some states, whether it be geopgrahical features, social features, political features.

Southern america (i.e. missisipi, alabama, lousinana, tennesee, georgia..etc.) tends to be very religious from my experiences. I have family from alabama and they are very christian raised.

the Midwest, because it isen't populated is probablly religious too, but i haven't personally experienced it so keep that in mind.

The East and west coasts are probablly the least religious of the united states.

In any case, if you migrate to florida for a season (like many brits do ) i doubt anyone is going to be making you bow down to the almighty powers of christ.

*shoots thunderbolts out of fingertips*

[ric449]

Ah, so each state is like a different country? Never thought of the US in that way, thanks pop tart.

[mbossman2]

this country (the USA) was formed, at least in part, by religious refugees so it was only natural that they not only brought along their religion but also ingrained it in many of their institutions. Even though the US constitution has wording that prohibits the government from establishing a state sanctioned religion, there are threads of judeo-christian theocracy running thru out US law and governmental and societal institutions.

as to the regional differences as it revolves around religion. I think that it has more to do, in part, with the sophistication and education of the region as well as the culture.

In the rural south, the educators there are, well, educated, but they are generally taught/trained by people who do not view religion as a bad thing or "the opiate of the masses" but a completely natural and wholesome thing(just like the rest of their community), whereas in industrialized areas, the educators there have been trained by people who, for whatever reason, view religion and the belief in God as a weakness and flaw within a person (ie "what person in their right mind would accept an anthropomorphic concept of a supreme being as a guiding force to life when everybody with an education knows that all things follow, natural, definable, predictable and provable laws of science?").

It is odd, that the pro-religion and anti-religion groups both evangelize their points of view similarly.

Here is a good interview from an award winning author (who also happens to be a devout morman) who puts it far better than i:

http://www.writing-world.com/sf/card.shtml

[ric449]

Thats a great explanation mbossman, I'll take a look at the link too. Thanks.

[glc]

Sorry folks, gotta close it.