Why do religion seem so important in U.S. ?

Question

I'm a French student. Last year my English teacher and her assistants, who are American, were shocked that we don't really talk about religion at school in France. However, we (students) completely disliked their insistence on such things. I remember a friend of mine told them that we don't want to hear constantly things about God (they spent one hour dealing with protestantism!) as many of us didn't believe in it or simply didn't care -- and I agree with him, religion and education should be separated.

Feel free to say I'm wrong or that they don't represent the American education, my question is mere curiosity and not provocative at all.

Answer 1

Religion should be an academic subject where one learns about all the religions of the world and the history thereof. I went to a catholic school and hated the fact that their lessons (every day) were just about the bible- I wanted to learn about the world so I left that school.

Answer 2

Ignorance breeds religion and religion breeds ignorance. I think aside from many Middle Eastern countries, the people of America are extremely ignorant and uneducated (in general), especially in the midwest and southwest. There are studies that prove strong correlations between highly religious people and lower intelligence. Of course I believe most religious leaders know there is no god, but use their power to control the masses that do. And it's the same case with religious school leaders. They're objective is to spread the word even at school to make sure every child follows a faith so that they can later be controlled and pay part of their paycheck to the church. It's all so obvious to me. Why can't people see this?

Answer 3

I may be the most ancient person on this board. When we are young and as we travel between the two eternities, we have a plethora of questions about everything. It appears that no one can satisfactorily answer any of them.
Nor will I try.
I can only relate my own experiences. I do not believe that anyone can make a person "Know" anything. One may convey a "Belief" to you, but that does not create "knowing". I'll sum up with this. If, when one is brought to one's knees by the trials and tribulations of life, and on one of those occasions cannot find strength within oneself to rise again, and no other living human is able to help, one will look for a higher power, other than oneself or another. When one is able, then, to rise and face life again, that person WIill Know, and not just believe what was imparted by another. If someone professes to be an Atheist, there would be no compassion for another. Have you ever seen a cow in a pasture that demonstrated any concern for another injured or dead cow? They could be considered an Atheist, by definition. No beliefs except in one's self.

Answer 4

There are certainly many Christians who like to stick their nose in other's business, but God is written into the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness..." The Creator is invoked in this document to make clear a certain point: All humans have rights which no man, no government, no power on earth, has the authority to take away. You don't have to be religious to appreciate that sentiment.

Answer 5

Religion is not seemed to be Important to the Americans at all...
Because;
1. 90% of Americans drink alcohol
2. Most American Teenagers have unmarried Sex
3. Murdering is like Drinking water and resting in the US
4. Child abuse is very common in the US
5. Raping is as easy as ABC
6. Half Naked Dressing also not allowed in Christianity but almost all Americans dress unformally and undescent...

All the above is not allowed in Islam, Christianity, Judaism, etc, but it is practiced anywhere in the US.

So, my answer is Religion doesn't seem to be important to the Americans at all...

Peace

Answer 6

Whoa Nellie, We are not teaching religion in public schools in America. It is a constitutional violation. I think your teacher was using your ignorance of our system against you.

How old is France anyway?, Imagine surviving so long without religion is schools, according to American Christians it is vital.

Viva la France.

Answer 7

I'm American, even born and raised in the midwest (very religious) and I can think of few things that are less important to me than religion. In fact I find the whole idea of it silly and embarassing.

Answer 8

I think it is important to study religions of the world as a part of the study of culture. You don't have to necessarily believe it, but to understand it and how the religion affects the culture of the country you are studying is very important. Ignorance is the basis of fear and distrust of others, so we must learn about other cultures.

Answer 9

U.S has a great policy of discrimination towards immigrants which is difficult to understand!!! I agree with you that religion should never be the choice for CONSIDERATION!!!

Answer 10

This country was founded on religious freedom and it is important to respect that history even if you do not believe in it.