Why do Americans believe in God?

Post #43 says they have, and in the US (though not in more enlightened countries) still do.

And, if you have read any of this thread, it is clear that a belief in God is far from "universal".

 

I'm not seeing the problem.

 

Collapse in moral standards??? The US has the highest crime rate in the western world. And can you tell me which other country perpetually supports bombing innocent women and children on a massive scale?

Your government is morally bankrupt and your people continue to support their crimes.

Religious people..particularly fundamentalist, bible bashers tend to be the most hypocritical and hateful people on the planet.

 

It's ok that the US murder rate is like 4 or 5 times higher than Australia's because Australia is an immoral, godless society.

 

As it happens, the early colonies (and some of the later states) were very much controlled politically by religious groups. In fact they founded them and ran them like fiefdoms.

The heritage is that while, thanks to your constitution, there is nominally no longer overt religious control of politics, American politics are deeply imbued with religiosity in a way that none of the countries I have referenced are.

 

This is DEFINITELY true for some. But I don't think it's true for all. There's arguments for God's existence, like the kalam, the argument from contingency, and the moral argument. I'm not a theist. I just don't think it's THIS simple with regards to why a lot of people believe.

 

I have no problem with a spirituality or even a belief in some higher power.

It is the ignorant US adherence to insane manmade religions... the evangelical nutcases.

It is that which the world laughs at and sees as sick.

 

So, from the standpoint of a Christian, adultery is bad?

Have you seen the almost complete dominance of Christians in the Mexico you accuse of indulging in permissive adultery?

I'd suggest the Mexicans have decided marital fidelity is probably not a religious value at all.

 

I get the impression that you believe that "enlightened" has something to do with not believing in God? So by definition a country with a high number of believers is unenlightened? Why do you feel the US is less enlightened than Australia?

I didn't say that a belief in God is universal.

And again,

Why do you care?

I'm really curious why you are so bothered that many people believe in God.

 

I think he is trying to find the cause for the US people supporting so many terrible wars that kill so many millions of people.

The US has committed heinous crimes in the past 50 years killing many millions of people. This is probably because the US people themselves are so easily controlled. Religion is a sign that people are controlled.

Righteousness and exclusion of others. These are symptoms.

Dehumanising and seeing other people as less valuable.

Ever wondered why your media never tells you how many civilians were killed by Americans in Vietnam or Iraq or Afghanistan or Laos or Cambodia? However we all know that 2987 americans were killed on 9/11.

 

What manmade religions are you referring to?

Do you have first hand knowledge of the evangelical nutcases you speak of or do you depend on the caricature of those folks you see in the news? Who exactly are you referring to when you say evangelical nutcases? Would that include all protestants, some catholics? All christians?

Or are you really just reacting to Conservatives whose political philosophy you disagree with? Do you think there are any Liberal Democrats that are evangelic christians in the US. Who exactly are you so disgusted with? Or do you really even know?

 

In my personal view, it is down to the fact that it is still a very young country.

It may have come far in the field of science and tech, but nevertheless, a nation HAS to mature, and this can only happen over a long period of time.

That is why Christianity differs so much in the US, to even the likes of Italy, Malta, and Spain, where you have a lot of Christian RC's.

That is why it differs so much to the almost older generation, and 'social aspect' of British Christians. Yes, there are the fundies here too, but they really are not in the mainstream, while in the US, they are in the mainstream.

Once upon a time, Christinanity in Europe was so barbaric that it would make your toes curl, then, over a long passage of time, it calmed down, if you will.

I think the US is still at that stage of religous fervour, and will have to grow into something more rational, and modern.

It takes time.

 

Kind of a round about way of making that case isn't it?

I wouldn't mind discussing any of the above with you but I don't think that's the topic of this thread. If it is, maybe I am unenlightened.

 

I'm not at all "bothered". And it is a dishonest diversionary tactic for you to propose that I do. I am merely curious that so many Americans do.

I can understand why in poor societies religion is a necessary compensatory device to explain lives that are lived in misery. But in richer societies such a belief is not necessary in that way, and apart from the USA, the trend is clearly against religion.

And OK, you said "near universal", which is clearly not the case in many Western countries.

 

I agree that it is not the main topic of this thread. However the US people have supported heinous US actions for decades. The Us people are the most controlled people on the planet in terms of media and government. The fact that so many Americans are controlled initially by silly man made religions is surely relevant. It is all part of the culture of control. The lack of free thinking... the following of the sheep.

 

@OP;

Look mate, 40% of Americans polled thought the disaster in Japan to be a 'sign' from 'god'.

That says it all;


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iagLg45lAc"]38% of Americans Believe Japan Disaster a Sign From God - YouTube[/ame]

 

It is not a political issue for me. I do not believe there is even the slightest difference between a democrat or republican president.

I believe that the self righteousness that comes from silly man made religions is exclusive and dehumanising. It is hatefilled.

 

Exactly. Religions are not noted for their high moral values even today. And their histories are loathesome.

Though I would not say religion has anything to do with American predations around the planet in the way of the 11th century Crusaders.

 

I would because the US leaders were able to sell their pretend enemy...Islam to the American people.. precisely because the American people have their own insane backward belief system.. that is exclusive, righteous and hateful.

Europeans laugh at all religions equally and therefore the attempt to make Europeans hate an imaginary enemy was unsuccessful.

 

People believe in God, because they believe he is real. You don't believe that God is real. Since you don't believe God is real, from your perspective, those who do are inferior to you in some way, socially, educationally, economically, culturally. That's what the discussion really boils down to I think.

I've grown up in the US, among these nutcase Christians, the world laughs at. I know them as doctors, lawyers, dentist, professors, scientist, factory workers, insurance salesmen. Most are good honest decent people. They aren't what you describe at all.

I don't think there is any way for you to understand why people believe in God because to you God is a fairy.

 

Which means the San Francisco earthquakes were also "signs from God", doesn't it? And St Helen's. And Hurricane Katrina. And the thingy that had New Yorkers praying recently.

Americans must be very bad people.

 

Religious fervour is still endemic in the US. But in no other Western country. Even Spain, a notoriously Catholic country, now has a high percentage of non-believers.

What are the moderating influences that make these countries move away from religion, but not the US. It can't be materialism. The US is the most materialistic of them all.

 

I think you may have hit on something. The US media pours out religion - largely in the interests of making money. Evangelicals swamp the airwaves with TV channels devoted to their particular brands of ignorance.

Americans seemingly lap it up. But the question is still why they do.

 

The US has a culture of following the herd. Americans are controlled from birth. That is why their leaders laugh when they talk about the land of the free.

Free thinking is not encouraged in the US.. as this would lessen the powers of the controllers.

Religion is a great exclusive controller. So is the notion of GOD BLESS AMERICA... again exclusive. Talk about freedom ..as if only Americans have freedom (the deepest irony). It is all about separating the US from others.. this makes WAR .. the currency of the US.. so much more possible. It also makes the invention of enemies much easier.

 

Americans could demonise Islam even if they were not enthralled by competing religions.

It helps that they are. No more.