Or is this hopeless?
Do you think that Europeans are more broad-minded than Americans?
2006-09-05 04:35:33 · 17 answers · asked by Axel ∇ 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Funny, I was just told a story about a British man who was so surprised that Americans, with all their religious freedom, can't seem to shut up about religion, while he said that his country with less freedom has less of an issue with religion.
I wondered about this statement because of course England has the Church of England. I wonder if having a national religion makes people keep their religious ideas to themselves. I wonder if it is the freedom itself that makes religion such an issues. I mean, if we proclaimed ourselves a Christian Nation in America, our laws would be made with that in mind and there would be no discussion.
Frankly I think it is very sad. It makes me think how people don't realize how good they have it, until it is gone. It makes me wonder why it is so important to American christians to convert and dominate society. It makes me wonder if anyone can really understand Separation of Church and State, and appreciate the kind of country our forefathers were trying to give to us. We act like descendants who know nothing of our own history.
Peace!
2006-09-05 04:42:40 · answer #1 · answered by carole 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would like to think it's not hopeless. Some Europeans are more broad-minded than Americans.
Many people seem to feel threatened when logical questions are asked. It makes them have to think about the reasons that they believe at all.
Religion is generally passed on from parent to child. The child often accepts the beliefs at face value, without any further investigation.
It's important to read the Bible. It's also important to read authors like Bertrand Russell, Stephen Hawkings, Richard Dawkins, Spinoza, Nitchze and Margaret Sanger, just to name a few.
People should be well educated and informed before deciding upon their spiritual or non-spiritual paths.
2006-09-05 11:41:19 · answer #2 · answered by Kathryn™ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Americans (in general) differ from Europeans in that most of them tend to believe there is a "right answer" and a "wrong answer" to every problem, which is a bit like believing that people are all either 4'8" tall or 6'7" tall, and not accepting the reality that people might just fall somewhere between those two heights without being evil giants or magical dwarves!
Having lived in many countries, though, I would say that America's slightly warped view is the one that creates the greatest amount of freedom, liberty & comfort for the largest percentage of its peoples...
2006-09-05 11:46:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
From what I understand, Europe is considerably more "evolved" in this regard. :) I'm seriously considering moving to either England, or possibly Canada, for this reason. (I hear Canada is much the same way)
As for "Is it hopeless?" - I don't think so. But it's just going to take some time. We've got to get the old powers that be out of office first. There's a lot of Christian money that buys politicians in this country. And those politicians are the ones that force Christianity on our culture. But those times are changing. Christianity is losing its grip, and they are screaming like banshees about it right here on this very forum. Give it 50 years or so, and we'll probably catch up with the rest of the world.
We're not all idiots. But the vocal majority are. We have to listen to them in stunned disbelief just as much as you do.
2006-09-05 11:40:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Europeans are generally much more broad minded than Americans in general in just about everything.
2006-09-05 11:38:37 · answer #5 · answered by bonzo the tap dancing chimp 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Since America is two continents, that's a lot of people and cultures to consider. But I'm a guy from the US, and I have broads on my mind a lot.
2006-09-05 11:43:16 · answer #6 · answered by neil s 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes... and that is DIRECTLY related to the fact that organized religion in the USA fights AGAINST reason and critical thought, and promotes willful ignorance and self-delusion over evidence and knowledge. It is absolutely shameful. Interestingly, statistics on supernatural beliefs count the USA on a par with backward, developing Third World nations, rather than among modern, advanced industrial powers.
2006-09-05 11:46:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since believers claim to hold THE truth, not THEIR truth, tolerance is impossible. It's hopeless, when someone rules out altogether that the other could be right.
2006-09-05 12:29:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
...how could Americans be more broad-minded in this field?
To be broad-minded is to allow that there are many paths to the truth, which there are not:
Matthew 7:13 (KJV)
Jesus himself speaking: "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:..."
Europeans do a great job of this, that is why they're being overrun
with Turks and Muslims. Care to emigrate?
2006-09-05 11:41:04 · answer #9 · answered by Randolph 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋
depends what you mean by broad-minded
Europeans tend to be much more secular, this actually may make it more difficult for them to grapple with issues of religious world views than Americans
In general people have little training thinking through various world views and it is generally difficult for everyone.
2006-09-05 11:43:25 · answer #10 · answered by whirlingmerc 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋