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The main cause of the current heroin epidemic is people being prescribed addictive drugs becoming hooked and switching to the far cheaper heroin when they can't afford their prescribed meds. They don't use to get high, they use to approach some semblance of being straight.
You are mistaken.
The 18-24 age group is the age demographic most likely to get addicted to heroin.
Most in this group used opioids, pain pills RECREATIONALLY before graduating to a better bang for the $, Heroin. They were not prescribed pain pills.
Most have a history of poly substance abuse with an emphasis on Marijuana and Cocaine.
While Marijuana is a gateway substance, most who smoke pot or drink alcohol for that matter, will not become addicted to Opioids and Opiates.
Most who try Heroin believe they will not become addicted. They believe they will be able to control it. They are mistaken.
Remember that when the Doc's look you in the face and tell you that yourself or someone you love are doomed...The first words from you mouth will be OH GOD.....
Actually; as evidenced by recovered cockpit voice recorders, those two words are more likely to be "oh s**t.
Religion is still more important to Americans than people from various other First World democracies.
Some Americans have argued that the "irreligious people" are to blame for America's social issues. However, the world's least religious democracies have either eliminated or managed these social issues much better than what the United States has.
People seem to be overlooking that. Some of you aren't even addressing what the thread is about.
Why is there a higher homicide rate in the United States than in Scandinavia's super secular nations?
The fact is, I never implied that religion is bad. What I argue is that being a religious nation is not essential for social prosperity (as indicated with the data samples in the OP) – and that blame for social issues is misattributed to "irreligious people."
Blame should be attributed to crony capitalism, corporate welfare, divisive politics and so on. Look at those issues and their impact on the American people before you consider ranting on about how secularism or irreligion is destroying America.
That's my additional two cents. Thank you!
I repped you, but....
It's social differences that create social friction. The most homogenous nations are the most tranquil. Religion is only a factor of homogeneity or heterogeneity.
The major difference between the US and "Scandinavia's super secular nations" is the rather extremely heterogeneous nature of all aspects of American society--and that includes religious heterogeneity, which European nations hashed out back in 1648 and has only recently resurfaced with the influx of Muslim immigrants.
Tell that to the people served by the kitchens, shelters, food pantries, job training programs, thrift stores and free clinics operated by faith-based organizations. In my city alone, these charities provide aid to thousands of people in need that the government has failed. Without these religious charities, many people would be far worse off.
Or tell that to the missionaries who bring food, water, medicine, clothing and education to the most poverty-stricken people around the world.
Perhaps my mind was poisoned in my youth, in Roman Catholic Sunday school we were threatened with eternal damnation if we even set foot in a church of a different flavor. That was not an isolated incident as I've met several other people from different parts of the country who told the exact same thing.
Congratulations to the church! Nothing else could have been more effective in driving me from organized religion.
I had quite the opposite experience. The priest that confirmed me convinced my mother to let me find my own way. He and I had 'those conversations' when I was 10, 11. I was atheist for 30 some years although I always found religion, the historical aspects, interesting (not the preaching/prostyleting of any specific religion). Especially how religion, socio-politics, intertwined in societies.
Tell that to the people served by the kitchens, shelters, food pantries, job training programs, thrift stores and free clinics operated by faith-based organizations. In my city alone, these charities provide aid to thousands of people in need that the government has failed. Without these religious charities, many people would be far worse off.
Or tell that to the missionaries who bring food, water, medicine, clothing and education to the most poverty-stricken people around the world.
To further your point... Name one organization in human history that has offered as much charitable contributions historically as the Catholic Church. Your examples but also schools, hospitals, and relief efforts.
Some will point to the molestation scandals, others Leo vi, or the inquisition. On balance, the positive outweighs the negative. For every sick pedophile, there's been many more mother Theresa's.
You both are completely wrong. By saying that, you are essentially saying that people can be forced to not freely practice their religion if someone is offended by it, which is wholly unconstitutional. I would like this because I would sue Islam and force it to shut down.
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