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In Europe being Christian is often just an official thing, even inherited so to speak. But a lot of people I know never ever go to church, they don't even have bibles, and many times they mix all kinds of pagan elements into Christianity, similar to what Africans did when Christianity was forced upon them. Many do Indian stuff such as Yoga and meditation.
My mother is officially Catholic, but she believes in some pagan mother goddess, nature spirits and things like that. But she has never even mentioned Jesus, nor does she have a bible or go to church.
Looks like the Northwest is the least religious area, the Plains is the most religious area, and the rest of the country varies.
It's a big misconception that everyone in the South is religious. I grew up in a small TN town. On the street where I grew up, less than half of the families went church regularly, and even most of them weren't particularly religious. Only 1 family was very religious, and I guess mine too (but we're Catholic, surprise). I knew lots of people who had never been to church. Let's not get it twisted. Yes, there are probably more loud religious people in the South, but not more religious people in general.
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Originally Posted by kevxu
That last comment certainly does not reflect my experience in the U.S. I lived and worked in Manhattan in the middle of NYC from 1959 until 2000, and I can tell you you had had people sticking their religion in your face all the time!
Geez, sorry I didn't mean to sound so official and specific. I wasn't saying everyone in the South is religious and everyone in the Northeast and West isn't. I was just talking really broadly and generally. I'm sorry I don't have that study I mentioned, but this is one of the maps I was looking at when I was talking about religiousness by region. It's a map of church attendance by state.
Not everyone in the South is religious or more so than the rest of the country, and not everyone in the Northeast and West is irreligious, it's just a more broad kinda thing. Like, on average or in general, it tends to be true.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Neuling
In Europe being Christian is often just an official thing, even inherited so to speak. But a lot of people I know never ever go to church, they don't even have bibles, and many times they mix all kinds of pagan elements into Christianity, similar to what Africans did when Christianity was forced upon them. Many do Indian stuff such as Yoga and meditation.
My mother is officially Catholic, but she believes in some pagan mother goddess, nature spirits and things like that. But she has never even mentioned Jesus, nor does she have a bible or go to church.
I agree with that inherited part. I'm from Poland, and grew up all around Polish culture. Not all Poles are practicing, but most are Catholic. Being Catholic isn't just a religion, it's tradition. It's just part of the culture.
Interestingly, those states pretty much correspond to the obesity map (except for Utah, but I guess that is a special case because of the Mormons), the fatter, the more religious or the other way round Maybe because non-believers don't expect help and explanations from above and thus tend to do more themselves, which burns more calories
Interestingly, those states pretty much correspond to the obesity map (except for Utah, but I guess that is a special case because of the Mormons), the fatter, the more religious or the other way round Maybe because non-believers don't expect help and explanations from above and thus tend to do more themselves, which burns more calories
they have no correlation at all. Those states have high obesity because of the diet and lifestyle, not religion. Gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins, so these people are really going against that.
they have no correlation at all. Those states have high obesity because of the diet and lifestyle, not religion. Gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins, so these people are really going against that.
If you say so
So, maybe it has to do with rural vs urban And the high percentage of African-Americans in the South, all those Gospel brothas and sistas praising the lord, Amen
I think in Europe it's more nominal yes, in America, Christians actually believe usually if they claim to be Christian, of course some of them aren't really that devout and most of them don't really live up to their beliefs. Most Americans are Christian, but there's definitely still a difference between the devout, "churchy" people and the more secular people who just happen to believe in Christ.
they have no correlation at all. Those states have high obesity because of the diet and lifestyle, not religion. Gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins, so these people are really going against that.
Have you never seen the 'seven deadly sins maps' ? They are quite illuminating with regard to where the sinners are ;-)
Thanks to all the posters.
Having lived in Germany for many years I noticed the great difference that religion does not get into politics as a much as in America. That seems to be the most notable difference observed by posters.
80% of the French are Catholic, but the church carries on mostly with traditional functions: christening, marrying, funerals.
The European christians are not as fiercely determined to form their society as the American christians. Quite possibly, for lack of religion, the Europeans are not as militaristic and eager to get involved in wars.
Really?!
I would think that the fact that Europe saw a 30 year period where more than 100 million of it's people were raped, enslaved, tortured, murdered and genocided would be a better reason.
It's also kind of ironic that this "Christian stained nation" stopped all of that.
My Spanish professor is from Spain, she's very liberal, she used to go on and on about how she is totally against the Catholic Church. But she still has a Virgin Mary on her key chain, and she said "I love the Virgin Mary" Lol, what? I don't really understand that.
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I wasn't saying everyone in the South is religious and everyone in the Northeast and West isn't. I was just talking really broadly and generally. I'm sorry I don't have that study I mentioned, but this is one of the maps I was looking at when I was talking about religiousness by region. It's a map of church attendance by state. 
Maybe because non-believers don't expect help and explanations from above and thus tend to do more themselves, which burns more calories 
