Except Poland and Malta of course.
What's your opinion?
2006-08-25 06:59:05 · 11 answers · asked by zorro 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Historically this is a case of the opposite of common thought being true. When the U.S.A. decided that there would be no state religion endorsement people across the world were very worried that it would lead us to be Godless. Conversely, since people were free to practice what they wanted to and were also guaranteed the right to speak freely about their religion we became one of the most religious countries in the world. This is in terms of actual church attendance and people's profession of deep belief in the faith they follow. Historically most European countries had an official state religion and discouraged proselytizing. Since, people felt "forced" to comply they had a tendency to stray from religion all together. There wasn't as much freedom of expression so it could actually be dangerous to explore other religious beliefs. For the "common man" religion was actually discouraged by state endorsement! Isn't human nature funny?
2006-08-25 07:10:28 · answer #1 · answered by psycho-cook 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A lot of people in Europe connect religion more with the old ways with Kings and feudalism and such. When the Enlightenment (age when people started to separate religion and government)happened a lot of resentment built up due to royalty using it to keep power. Even though America fought off the British and King George the III, it still didn't have problem with feudalism and the same level class struggles Europe had. Trying to remember my Western Civilization class lectures as much as possible.
Also, the above poster's comments was incredibly pithy and unfair equating religion with poor intelligence. There are numerous intelligent people who are/were devout to their religion; not to mention the vicious nations like North Korea and the USSR that were more Atheistic then Europe.
2006-08-25 14:32:25 · answer #2 · answered by mojo_the_migo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think this is because European countries have a state church. People's taxes go toward those churches, so they don't feel that they should have to attend and give more money. Another reason could be that European countries don't have a history of religious freedom as exists in the US. Religion in Europe has been the cause of violence and division throughout the continent. US churches have become more trendy and compete with one another with "bells and whistles" and all sorts of stuff like that. Depending on your perspective these "megachurches" could be a good or a bad thing.
2006-08-25 14:10:08 · answer #3 · answered by Edward 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Europe Sucks
2006-08-25 14:04:44 · answer #4 · answered by Terry S 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because the public education system in the United States is in such bad shape that we Americans don't know any better.
2006-08-25 14:26:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because Americans are dumb.
The re-election of Bush should be all the proof you need.
2006-08-25 14:10:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Europe enforces MUCH higher educational standards.
Reason and Faith cannot coexist. Increase one and you necessarily decrease the other.
2006-08-25 14:03:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
because right now ''church'' is aligning itself with a very evil conservative faction....it's bogus and the Europeans have come to realize it....FYI, I'M A CHRISTIAN!
2006-08-25 14:05:12 · answer #8 · answered by Kiss my Putt! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
thay are more brainwashed in the usa than thay are in europe
2006-08-25 14:05:38 · answer #9 · answered by andrew w 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The US was founded on christian beliefs.
2006-08-25 14:46:54 · answer #10 · answered by Grandreal 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋