Besides me, who thinks the Americas should go through an Elightment age of their own?

Question

Reason championed over superstition during the Enlightment in Europe. The mind was finally set free from all preconceptions. Theories could only be proven by acute observation and experimentation. The church was at last not the biggest influence of humanity.

Europeans will agree with me, there are no religious extremists of European ascendance.

Albannach, Charlemagne lived in the middle ages. The Enlightment happened right before the Industrial Revolution. Mom told me never to go into a battle of witts with an unarmed adversary.

Spanish Inquisition also happened in the middle ages. The Inquisition in Spanish colonies in America outlasted the Inquisition in Europe due to the age of Enlightment which ocurred in Europe and not in America.

Freedom of speech, Freedom of Religion, Separation of Church and State are all concepts of the Enlightment. However, Americans are not enlightened people. While religion gets to decide what should be taught in a highschool science course (Intelligent Design vs. Evolution), the sexual ed. policy of a nation (abstinance vs. safe sex)-- Safe sex works while abstinance doesn't, how dares the President suggest condoms are not safe? People of the Americas are not enlightened.

Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Brasil, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile--each of them are over 95% Catholic. That is South America. As a South American I can tell you that religion is a disadvantadge. The Catholic Church prohibits Catholics from using condoms. It also prohibits Catholics from using anticonceptives. It also condems divorce as sin. Divorce in Chile wasn't legal ten years ago. Church and State are not divorced in the Americas.

Answer 1

<<<>>>>>

Answer 2

If you study US history, you will see that the Constitution addresses this very issue, and makes it clear that the US values - vs. any other western country prior - the seperation of church and state. Thus, I propose that America started in an age of "Enlightenment."

Have you ever lived anywhere else and seen what it really is like to live under the influence of strong religion in your everyday affairs?

The recent fundamental fervor in the US is clearly a fearful reaction by the populace after 9/11, fueled by manipultive politicians and religious zealots. The good thing about America, is these people can be voted out of office and marginalized if resaon prevails.

Answer 3

Yes, Europe is certainly enlightened.

The French Revolution was a major success in terms of Freedoms and liberties, especially during the Reign of Terror
The great treatment of religion by the BRITISH in India and the rest of the world was remarkable.
The way the Europeans raped Africa was certainly a memorable achievement.
OH...and must I mention the beautiful job they did after World War One with the Treaty of Versaille. That was a very "enlightened" document. They pretty much took all of Woodrow Wilson's, an American, ideas and flushed them down the toilet thus setting the stage for an age of dictators in Europe.
Hitler had an interesting spin on the enlightenment, didn't he? Kill everyone that you don't like or disagrees with you.
Not to mention the millions that died in EUROPE during World War II, thanks to the comibined efforts of European inpsired thought. Thanks, Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin.
Do I need to go on, ethnic cleansing in the Balkans...

Don't try to say that America is a dreadful Hobbsian state of nature when your Europe is the center point of some of the worst atrocities in last 200 years.

have a nice day, Enlightened European folk.

Answer 4

Absolutely. I think many of the religious pilgrims who came here during the settlement period were taking refuge as much from the European Age of Reason as 'religious persecution'. They then became the fundies we now see holding up science and society with their backward looking views. An American Enlightenment would turn us into a nation capable of dealing with the complex future we face rather than wanting to turn back to the superstitious past.

I am with you on this. But get ready for some people downgrading your question and answers such as mine.
---------------


Checking in later this goes predictably: lots of folks downgrade the question. I find the comments that America's fundamentalism is marginal to be fairly specious. I believe the accurate statistic is that over 60 percent of the US population accepts the biblical version of creation, and the incredible story of Noah's ark... sorry, you can't get more fundamental than that.

Despite markdowns and protestations, I believe I will hold hard to my position. Americans have slipped away from enlightenment. Whether it's because of 9/11 fears or too much media hyping of creationism matters little to me.

We pretend to be an open, enlightened and progressive society, but we are deeply attached to some heavy duty superstition.

Answer 5

Yes - we need an enlightenment in America. This would mean a reconciliation between faith and reason. Those who claim to have faith should learn to appreciate general revelation, remembering that each human being is made in the image of God. They need to reject any and all faith that is contrary to reason, so that they will be able to influence others. Finally, we should reject all preachers who expect people to leave their brains outside the church doors.

Answer 6

You sure do not know anything about history. Who are most of the people that live in the Americas. I thought you didn't' know how to answer that one. Most are descendants of Europeans after the so called enlightenment age. Then you tell us you are enlightened. Now,now don't cry you may one day figure out something to say. No I do not live in the Americas. I am in Asia.

Answer 7

don't be stereotyping americans. just because i'm american doesn't mean i'm a war monger and a religion bastard. i don't support this war, it's unjust, i have never forced my religion onto any persion. and don't forget, it was europe that started america with the whole i have to kill these indians to get their gold and their land. it was europe who fought to control america. not our fault you guys could never get along. do not judge the entire population on a handful people. and do not believe that all americans want to rule the world. if you are so enlighten then why make this post?

Answer 8

I understand what you are trying to get at, but, most people in here are not going to. And, i don't really think you do either. I think you read something , somewhere, and thought hmmmm that will make me sound intelligent and ask this question without really knowing what you are talking about. So, you either should not have asked or you should rephrase your question. If in fact, you actually do know what you mean yourself. P.S. I think you need to take another history class before you try talking on these type subjects. To avoid looking and sounding silly!

Answer 9

Are you forgetting Charlemagne? He once sent his knights to the south of France to kill all the Catholic Reformists. When his knights asked how they would know the reformists from the true believers he said (not an exact quote, but close enough) "Kill them all, God will sort them out."

Sounds rather extreme to me.

What about Torquemada? (Spanish inquisition.)

Answer 10

We Americans need an enlightenment of some kind. Badly

Answer 11

What are you actually asking? It sounds like you went on a rant to get some response from people who disagree with you, but never really asked a legitimate question.