Would you say England is more secular or more religious, compared to the U.S.?

Question

I'm curious. In the United States, we have "In God We Trust" on money, "One nation under God" in the pledge of allegiance, practically all of the government leaders are Christian, and there's just a general intolerance toward other religions, primarily in the southern region, where I live. How are people of other religions treated where you are? How is religion in general seen?

Answer 1

secular

Answer 2

I believe we are exactly the same, although it might not be immediately apparent.

The Government is Secular and yet there are religious leaders actually sitting in Government in the house of Lords ( The second house - although not equivalent to the house of reps or senate and virtually powerless).

Personal right to practise ones own religion is fiercly guarded and outwardly, religious tolerance is widespread.

Socially, the UK is in majority secular, although this is gradually being reversed with the inward migration of non christians who tend to be more observant of their religion, and through the growth of new Christian movements.

The Christian religion is still officially protected by a blasphemy law, but this has not been enforced in decades.

Although many government leaders are devoutly religious, it is seen as good practise for leaders not to connect their religion with their politics such as Mr. Bush often does.

Answer 3

I'd say England is way more secular. And also more tolerant on the whole. We're a mongrel race and so are used to all different religions, although it's less socially "normal" in mainstream society to openly talk about going to church / synagogue / mosque / etc


As for earlier answers suggesting that we Brits are all the lager drinking louts you occasionally encounter, lets not resort to stereotype as we could have a field day talking about the American or Australian (for example) cultural stereotype!

Like in most countries where people have a choice there are pockets of all kinds, beliefs and perceptions - it's one of the thing I love about the UK!

Answer 4

Well, a lot of the leaders are "Christian" by name only. You also just live in a single neighborhood within a single state; this is not adequate to evaluate the entire southern region by. Where I live (in the South), people mind their own business; they live and let live. The Christians do not agree with the people of other religions, but they also do not question their right to practice those religions in peace.

Answer 5

England is extremely secular. We do not like matters of religion, being brought into government and while your president plays up his religious beliefs, our prime minister plays his down. We generally find your presidents movements on the grounds of his religious belief to be very bizarre and a highly inappropriate use of his power.
In general conversation, we would not consider it appropriate to discuss our religious beliefs and would find it uncomfortable to be subjected to this type of thing by others. You rarely catch the Brits doing the evangelist recruitment thing. Jehovah’s Witness’ being the exception.
We are very tolerant of people’s religions, but I think that the majority of educated Brits generally cringe in wonder at the minds of those who vehemently believe in their religion. Having said that, I think that, most of us would not totally negate the possibility of a god.
The most religious groups in the UK tend to be the newest Brits, like Muslims. Sadly, for this group, and society as a whole, the events of recent years have built up a dislike or moreover a mistrust of Islam and a feeling that all religion is a bit warped and unhealthy for society.
I do not feel that this growing move towards agnosticism, is doing society harm, generally we live by the codes that all religions are based on, we just do it without religion.

Answer 6

England is a secular country in the most part because churches have failed people and do not teach what the Bible really teaches so are put off with religion.

Answer 7

If that is the case, how come that God has not yet let your government know that war is not part of the deal, except for defence. Personally I think that like saying 'Have a nice day' these statements are just that and mean nothing in reality.

Answer 8

i would say ,secular .
nobody could be more religious then the South ,a little ridiculous.
and the funny ,i should say the sad part are ,they the same people you drink all week long ,cheat ,lie ,but comes Sunday they the first to open the church door's .

I have many friend's in England ,i was told they are the rudest people in the world .
never been there ,but that's my opinion ,and opinion are like assholes ,everybody as one .

Answer 9

I think that in about 20 years time America will be as Britain is now. Britain is further into the post Christian stage, so people don't really pay attention to Christianity, even in a nominal way. America hasn't progressed as far yet.

Answer 10

Religion is in general scene from the point of view of a girl who healed sick folk being burned alive at the stake by the ungrateful bastards

Answer 11

The people are more religious in the US. England still has the Anglican Church as a semi-official religion. So the separation is greater in the US, but the US is also more religious...and has far more extremists.