Is going to church in USA considered normal?

Question

Over here in England it is pretty unusual. Most people who actually believe in God are considered a bit strange by everyone else.

Answer 1

As well they should be, toothy.

Answer 2

Sounds like my kind of place, England that is. Anywhere to get away from the absolute insanity of portraying an image that we simply cannot or will not live up too.

Here in America we want to exude a certain image. Dad, mom, 2.5 kids, a dog and church on Sunday to preserve our squeaky clean image. This sadly is not the state of our society. We are very good at hiding what is really going on but only to our status quo. Others in the world, and here as well, see quite clearly the true picture which unfortunately gives many Americans a bad reputation that a few of us do not deserve. There are many Americans who recognize the propaganda and the "tricks" used on an unsuspecting public and those same Americans, I would hope, do whatever is in their power to change the face of our nation and what we really represent.

Peace. Good question by the way. Thanks.

Answer 3

In the USA, the concept of TALKING about going to church is normal. Like, when people say, "What church do you go to," having an answer like "St. Paul Evangelical" or whatever is normal. But not a lot of people actually go to their St. Paul, ya know? I think we might be seen as a pretty Christian country (in comparison to others, we probably are), but most people everywhere (pretty much) are not Christian. For example, I live in a small town and there are more churches than bars, but the bars are the only ones filled consistantly. It's kinda sad. A lot of non-Christians, I know, will say that we are really Christian, but being a Christian, I can tell you - we aren't.

Answer 4

It is a mixed society in this fashion. I think there was a much higher percentage of "normal" society that went to church decades ago than today. Much of the normal church goers are very regional.

I find that rural and suburban communities are much more churchgoing than big cities. I find that southern US and Midwest are more churchgoing than west coast people or rocky mountains. East coast is in between.

Much of the church going is based on the US separation of church and state. Church is funded and supported 100% by people, not government, other than tax exemption for church. Therefore, church is a privilege and not a right nor a tax like many European countries.

CHurch is more than religious upbringing, it is a community center for many places. It is a reason to see your neighbors, and meet people when you are physically separated on farms. It is a social hall for parties and celebrations and funerals. We are bound in a healthy environment in our churches, I believe.

Much of the religion abuses in the past decades; ministers who were crooks and con-men, sex perverts and criminals, have diminished the passion for churches that we once had. I find that everyone with an agenda now want to use the church for their podium; women ministers for women's rights, gay mnisters for their agenda, liberals and conservatves for their views. It all dimishes the concept of why churches are vital parts of the community and chases many away. Still, there are many that find the church compelling and rational for the challenges we have in todays world. Many people who fall away from the church, re-engage when they are parents since it offers a training in morality and religion that is not offered in the schools. US Public education forbids religious training, almost zealously these days. Sunday school and after school classes provide this gap.

Belief in God is not strange here, it is still the norm I believe. But many feel as you do. Put it this way, if a person ran for president and announced his disdain for the concept of God or religion, I doubt if they would be elected.

Answer 5

In polls here in the US, 40% of people report that they go to church regularly. When tested out across the country, the figure appears to be significantly lower. More people go to church in the south and the Midwest than on the east coast and west coast. But it is true that Europe is far more secular than the US.

Answer 6

I dont think any Americans consider it strange. But reality is MOST Americans do NOT go to church. Including the ones who claim to be Christians!

Answer 7

It's normal especially in the South. One reason I can't wait to get out. You go anywhere in Georgia just for five minutes and you have someone trying to convert you. The politicians use religion over here as a tool to scare people also. And it seemed to work in Bush's favor. I mean it has on our money "In God We Trust" so yeah it's not normal I'm sure to some people not to go. But I don't go.

Answer 8

Seriously? That is kinda odd.

But yes, going to church is pretty normal for most and telling other people you just got back from church provokes no negative comment or looks by most at least.

Answer 9

Depends where in the USA you live. In many East Coast & West Coast areas incl cooky California church going is not so prevalent but for the rest of the country it is.

Answer 10

Fewer go now than there used to be, but plenty of people still attend. In the Catholic church it is an obligation and it makes sense - if you don't go to church how can you actually belong? Communities that gather together support one another and help each other through the rough times.

Answer 11

It's very normal. Those who don't go to church in the USA are considered the strange ones in many places here.