America's Reputation and the Religion that explains "the way"?

Question

Interestingly enough, if you live in America, you should understand that most of the world thinks you are ignorant and imperialist. Many countries, even the ones you "help," often dislike you.

As well, the number 1 religion (and way of life one would practice) is Christianity.

So, my question is, do you think their is a direct connection between your countries reputation, as a whole, and the main religion that most follow?

Keep in mind that most ideals one has stem from their belief system. Your belief system is mainly Christian and the world dislikes you:
http://www.lifeintheusa.com/religion/christian.htm

Thoughts? Interested to hear from Christians and other religious groups, mainly Atheists/Buddhists.

As well, this so called "peaceful" religion also contains the largest military in the world and funds it more then health and education. The voters are 85% Christian, according to my link (and another link I viewed)

Answer 1

One of the least attractive things about Americans is our collective attitude of superiority -- something that was inevitable, I think, for a country that rebelled against authority and succeeded in becoming a world power in short order.

The fact that the US is heavily Christian (though the 85% figure is among Americans who claim a religion, not the population as a whole) is probably an incidental by-product of the same process, not the driver. Most evangelical and fundamentalist groups are American in origin; the splitting off from "mainline" denominations that gave rise to them was itself a rebellion against authority. The origins of that can be traced back to the Reformation.

The US provides a climate and culture conducive to religious free-lancing, in other words. And as with most things American, this has happened in a very big way.

Answer 2

In reality, many folk from around the world view the USA as a fanatical gestalt with an obsession for money (capitalism), power, and egotistical overtones of "God's on our side", beyond all else. Individual Americans aside, the gestalt sucks. PS: You cannot return to the Middle Age because your society did not begin back then. PPS: Traditional binary oppositions such as Self and Other, Devil and Angel, Satan and God, Yin and Yang, Good and Evil, Mind and Body, Culture and Nature, Reality and Appearance, etc do not get you very far in terms of enlightenment. Consider approaching these aspects in a different way, like via a mental kaleidoscope.

Answer 3

" Many countries, even the ones you "help," often dislike you. "

lets look at the amercian and christian way of helping shall we... intimidation, war, bribery, the constant self righteous attitude that "I am better than you" in other words belittling the cultures, and over taking their lands... how did americans get power through war... europeans came to america did not respect the life and people that were here.. and made war on them... take a lot around the world.. why is it that white people "who are indeginous to europe" every where in power... because christians won by murder and war... that' s the only reason... so while rich white american spews consideration for the earth.. their powerful white governments consistently practice the destruction of it.. just like christianity... but karma has a kick back and for the last decade of it American has been shown for exactly what it is.... let them continue being on the receiving side of what they contribute to the earth... for until they see fit to change they don't deserve credibility in the eyes of the world.

EX: bragging how they are the leaders of the free world yet they are the ones less able to take care of their own in times of crisis.... we don't need your help.....

Answer 4

In my opinion, the fact that the US is a predominately Christian country is a tool used by politicians to get easy votes. This country was founded by secularists but most Americans won't read anything outside of the bible. if you think about it, i really can't blame Christians for wanting to read the bible. all the thinking they have to do all in one simple book. Maybe we should have the Constitution printed in the bible right before Genesis. This country doesn't worship god, it worships MONEY. It's all about profit. profit is all well and good but not at the cost of causing harm to life and environment. we also have a problem with how powerful the lobbyists are. insurance, pharmaceuticals, and oil really run policy here. what's so crazy to me is how ignorant my fellow Americans are. we are hated by everyone because we truly arrogant, ignorant and worse yet that arrogance and ignorance in command of the strongest military in the world. (sigh). in conclusion, religion in America is a smoke screen in order to mask our imperialism.

Answer 5

You seem to be assuming that because the majority are Christians, that we ALL are Christians.

You also seem to assume that no other country is majority Christian, which is also false -- a lot of countries have a majority of Christians.

You also seem to assume that it's people's Chrisitanity that forms their political views.

AND that there's only one political view Christians share.

Finally, you seem to assume that all, or even most, Americans agree with the horrible things our country has done.

Every one of these assumptions is false.

You seem to imply that therefore the whole world hates Christians -- which is also false.

Answer 6

The world does not dislike America, or me, because we are Christians in the context you put it.
True Christians are opposed in the world if they uphold truth, justice and the American way.
That said,The world does not like America,not because it is a Christian nation, but because it is not
So,what does that, Christianity, have to do with the fact that the world doesn't like us, unless you are of course Muslim and want to put it that way?

If that doesn't make sense, I just woke and haven't had a pot of coffee yet.

Answer 7

America has always been an imperialistic nation, but we use Christianity to justify it by basically saying God wants us to rule everything and covert everyone to our way of life. It's a big crock.

Answer 8

I understand where you are coming from, with so many different religions and churches we are the most violent country in the world. we have a history of violence and yet we preach Jesus Christ, well it's not the Jesus Christ I believe in, the one I believe in stated to love your enemy.

Answer 9

What man thinks of me is no concern to me. What God thinks of me is everything. Without God my friend, you are chaff in the wind.

I've noticed all of my life that there are certain people that we cannot help. Have you ever considered the fact that we don't help you and the world,because of you, but we help you and the world because of what God says to do.

America is not trying to win friends and influence enemies, we are trying to please our God, Jesus the Christ our Lord.

If you are benefited that is wonderful; if you are not benefited there is nothing I can do, but I did what God said to do.

The US Military is not our protection. God is our protection and provision. The US Military is sent out to help you and the rest of the world. Jesus said, "no greater love has any man than he lay down his life for a friend."

Answer 10

Hmm well that depends on your definition of Christian. Plenty of people go to church or are Catholic or believe they are born Christian, but if you count the amount of people that actually follow Christianity and are truly Christians, I seriously doubt that most of America is Christian.