Why Is It That The USA Is Very Religious While Europe Is Secular?

Question

What social conditions have brought this about?

Answer 1

We shipped all our religious fruitcakes over there a few centuries ago.

Answer 2

Firstly, there were many people who emigrated to America out of Europe fleeing from religious persecution.

Whenever there was a revival of Christian faith in Europe (and people consequently got more 'fired up' for God) this caused a reaction from the established authorities, because they saw the great number of new converts (and the questions they were asking) as a threat to their power and influence over their congregations. So, they started 'smear campaigns' and worse things, like eccliesiastical courts, burnings at the stake, etc. That is why many people fled to America, as a refuge and as a place where they could have the freedom to practise what they believed.

These people were largely of a Protestant puritan ethic - like the Moravians - very devout Bible believers who simply wanted religious freedom. America has rightly been named 'the land of the free' for she has been a refuge to many of the poor and needy in her short history.

These were actually some of the first european settlers in the New World. Others followed, of course, but Christianity and the ethic of every person's right to personal liberty had already established a profound influence on the country by that time.

Europe, however, was still largely Roman Catholic, as it is today, as well as Humanistic (coming out of the aftermath of the French Revolution) and these two elements have had the effect of making Europe increasingly secular and intolerant of the kind of people who left to colonise America.

The net effect isthat, since the advent of the Pilgrims, America has been affected by the Gospel to a much greater extent that Europe has in the same period.

Furthermore, since the 1740's, America has experienced true Revival (ie. a movement of God) roughly every fifty years, and that means that every generation has been touched by God up to (practically) this present time. When Revival came, it went very deep and, though sadly it didn't generally last very long, its impressions on the people of America have been enduring.

The reason why America is still very religious is simply as a result of the Christian influences that have been brought to bear on her through her history, and vice-versa as regards Europe.

However, what is happening now is that America is becoming more and more secularised as it follows the ethical trends of Europe, and it hasn't had a Revival for around fifty years now ...

Answer 3

Religious origins of the settlers in the 17th century. Also the bible belt where little seems to have changed in the last couple of hundred years. I believe the founding fathers tried to set up a secular republic, but you know what religion in like!

It is probably inaccurate to say that USA is very religious and Europe is secular - it is more of a case that USA treats religion far more seriously than Europe and Australasia.

Answer 4

You need to ask someone else, but here is an opinion.

In Europe organized religion, Christian religion, has been around a long time. It has long since been the 'ruler' behind the ruler. As such, it has also has had a business like approach to the whole issue since Constantin.

Many of those that immigrated to the Americas did so to escape religious persecution and to be able to practice their religion as they saw it.

For this reason, there is a spirit, a life, an energy, so to say, to American Christian religion whether it be Catholic, Protestant, Baptist, Seventh Day, etc.

Many Europeans belong to churches since they were born -- but do not believe in the existence of God, or if they believe he exists, they may not believe he interferes in human affairs -- generally.

However, Europeans generally do believe that not celebrating Christmas is a great hurt for the children.

Personal opinion.

Answer 5

The US was founded by poor entrepreneurial businessmen, explorers and lots of religious nutters who wanted to escape from the normal Europeans, the mix is still there.

The entrepreneurial types did well away from the government controls of Europe, the Explorers had a field day, and the religious types just bred like rabbits and got very insecure.

Hence today, you have a very exciting commercial market, with pockets of very strange people trying to maintain the same sill ideas that got them thrown out of Europe two hundred years ago... :0)

Answer 6

USA is brainwashed, Europe is enlightened.

I think when the mayflower and puritans arrived in america to supposedly find freedom from religion, they just wrote up all the same rules but called their "new" religion a different name.

for those who say USA is secular, well have you seen the number of religious people who gets mentioned on TV and in the news, and in government.

have you heard bush say that he heard god tell him to attack iraq, and afghanistan. now he thinks god is telling him to attack iran and pakistan and syria, and probably north korea as well. That is NOT SECULAR.

Billy graham - why does he say prayers for the senate? he shouldnt even be there. The senate is NOT Secular when they allow prayers.

Answer 7

Well for a start most persecuted religions or sect made for America to avoid persecution in there home countries, I suppose that set the foundation.
When people do not have a lot of hope they tend to have more faith, here in Britain we have homes and money provided if needed, health care from cradle to grave so we do not have to struggle day to day like some sections of the USA so people do not talk about faith so much but tend to keep it within themselves, my family told me as a child never to argue about politics or religion and to respect other peoples beliefs, we are people of free will and must let people make their own choices and own mistakes

Answer 8

There is less exposure to religion in Europe, things like Tele Evangelism for instance just wouldnt be tolerated as it would be viewed as deception.

Its also more culturally acceptable to question religious beliefs and religious education in schools has been very much scaled down over the last couple of decades.

European politicians are very reluctant to declare themselves as believers in gods for fear of being branded a nutter. Hence Tony Blairs reason for delaying the announcement of his belief in god /conversion to Catholicism till he left office.

Answer 9

Europe is a distinctive place, its a continent crammed with distinctive countries with distinctive cultures interior each and each usa. i think of it fairly is a huge generalisation for u . s . of america, nevermind the entire of Europe..

Answer 10

The US is secular, no doubt. And your assumption that Europe, as a whole, is any more secular is just not true.

There is no state sponsored religion in the US. The fact that the US is a vast majority Christian, is just a fact.

Btw, the word "secular" doesn't mean lack of religion.

Answer 11

americans havent had time to learn that the idea of a space ghost making everything in 6 days and being able to hear thoughts and act on them to effect a favourable outcome in some future event in time is absolutely insane