Europe and Secularism?

Question

Can anyone tell me why Europe is basically a secular society? Is it because religion is not valued? I ask that only people who can provide a serious and thought out answer respond.

Answer 1

Actually, most European countries are pretty secular in practice. But that does not mean people are less religious, also lower church attendance doesn't equate that either.

Secular society doesn't mean a wholesale ban on religion, it doesn't make atheism the official belief. It just allows all religions to be given equal weight and allows everyone to express their beliefs as long as it doesn't interfere with other citizens rights.

For example the USA's motto, In God We Trust would not be used in a European country because it alienates peoples in that country that don't believe in God, be it atheists, Agnostics, Buddists or Taoists.

Government is not about excluding any member or group of its citizenry it is about inclusion, hence why government and state institutions tend to not give any authority to religious bodies.

Religion is also taken on new meaning. The Churches are now focusing on spirituality and less on politics. They will announce what the church's position is to it followers. For example, in Ireland before the referendum on divorce the Irish bishops and the Vatican let the Roman Catholics of Ireland know what was its position the Sunday before the referendum, it did not rally its congregation into a political stupor, the church allowed them to make their own choice. I think it is because they finally recognise the importance of this quote from Alcuin "Vox populi, vox dei" The voice of the people, is the voice of God

Answer 2

Whoever told you that is lying to you or you're misguided.

60% or more of Europe is religious.

Sweden still has a national religion.

So does England, and the Royal Family has to be a member of the Church of England

It's been that way since the late 1600s

Ireland is FIERCELY RELIGIOUS

So is Scotland

Italy, maybe they're secular. Oh, gee I fogot about the Pope, so I guess no on Italy.

Greek. The Greek Orthodox Church one of the originals dating back 2,000 years

Belgium, Germany, Austria, they have some religion there you know.

Germany was once almost totally Lutheran

It's where Luther got his big break and they were the first to throw out the old and bring in the New.

For a country to be secular, let's use a true litmus test

Gay marriages.

Any country now allowing Gay marriages is stuck in Conservative, moralistic, religioius roots.

Now, I know of only two nations in the world allowing Gay marriages

Can you give me a list of nations where GAYS can legally marry.

That will be your secular influenced nation.

Any nation, not allow gay marriages is stuck in the dark ages.

That's a litmus test. It used to be black and white marraiges, but that's old hat!

Answer 3

One simple possibility: A large number of particularly religious people left Europe for America over the last four centuries. The narrative of the United States has almost always been the journey to the Promised Land.

Answer 4

You assume that Europe is one culture, but it really isn't. It is much more diverse then the United States. There are 30 or so countries in Europe, and their cultures - as well as their religions - vary a lot. Many central and eastern european countries are extremely religious, like poland (96% roman catholic) or Bulgaria (90% orthodox). Western european societies are more secularised, but this is also changing, Islam and Christianity becoming increasingly present. Besides, many European countries even have an estabished church (England, Denmark) or religion (Greece). So your question starts from wrong premises.

Answer 5

Religion is not allowed to interfere with politics or other social exercizes. The way America is SUPPOSED to be. BTW, the Euroeans are decidely more atheistic and less religious, oh wait they have it better than we do! Imagine!