Why is Europe more secular?

Question

I was just wondering why is Europe more secular, and at the same time America has higher percentage of abortions, suicides, criminal...
Any ideas why?

I agree that religion is not dead here, it's just that i don't see people practicing it, i personally don't even know a religious person.

Answer 1

I am ashamed of the ignorance diplayed here by my fellow americans. So many answers in here just prove the IGNORANCE of my country.
Europe has a lot of history , culture , it has had many brilliant minds,european education is better than ours.
I hope things will change soon, or I will be moving out of here.

Answer 2

Europe is more secular than many other parts of the world because of our experience of exploration, empires, colonisation, immigration and two world wars.

We are finally learning how to live in relative harmony with each other without destroying the unique qualities and differences between the different countries.

Hopefully seting a good example to the rest of the world.

Answer 3

Europe has had the benefit of Liberal Thinkers (as in Rousseau, Voltaire and Locke): room in which to let the human spirit roam and examine issues (as opposed to seeing everything stuck on a stone tablet). As for the other aspects you mention, I'm not so sure of the numbers: at least in Europe and in the US, we SEE the numbers, and the issues are dicussed whereas in some parts of the world, everything is pretty much hidden (or deemed not to exist).

Answer 4

The secular-progressive movement has taken hold more in Europe, and there has been less resistance to it than in the United States - but religion is by no means dead in Europe - there are still many thriving churches and new churches.

You seem to be saying that there is a necessary connection between abortion, suicide, crime rates.. and religion. There is some but there are are many factors that could go into those statistics - it would make a very interesting study.

Answer 5

Well, if Europe is more secular, they MUST have be evil people with high crime rates, sinning constantly, just like America has such a high proportion of Atheists in prison.

Wait, the crime rate in Europe is LESS? And there are actually FEWER atheists in prison than in the general population?

Hey, look over there! *runs away*

Answer 6

Because United States has a lot of ignorant people.
We speak 5 languages here and they only know 1?
They know more about the bible but have no clue about science and history.
The education system is pretty bad over there.

Answer 7

Many Americans I know just decide to live in a bubble of their own traditional values, ignorant of the outside world. Like my parents.

Answer 8

They pumped more money into public education while the US public education system is a joke.

Answer 9

Most of Europe turned their backs on God when they adopted the socialist policies of Godless communism. There is still however a remnant of faithful believers in Europe. We here in America and Canada have followed their lead . We have kicked God out of our schools, our courts and now thanks to the God hating ACLU out of every single facet of American life. Just because 80% of Americans claim to be Christians does not mean they are. Most who claim to be saved live just like the rest of the world....In sin and selfish pursuits. As to why abortion ,crime and etc. is higher here, it could be that since we have more wealth then Europe that we fall prey to the evils of the world more easily than they do. All these things are predicted to happen by Christ himself....

Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Come to Christ!

Answer 10

We have a better education system that is less and less faith-based.