Why Europeans seem less "religious" than Americans?

Question

I am only speculating but I think a corrupt church allied with a bad sristocracy and bad upper classes. And a two world wars with mass exterminations of humans [Armenians mass killed in WWI, and the n**i's holocaust of Jews and other victims], and four decades of a cold war that almost brought the world to nuclear annihilation, really destroyed completely any religious and spiritual beliefs. Of course, also the coming economical prosperity after the 1960s. Feedback, please.

Answer 1

I agree on somethings. but I think  the reason America is more religius is because America was founded on God and prayer, remember the pilgrims they brought their religion with them to Plymoth Rock? they made thanksgiving with the indianslol, so they say, I do know that the pilgrums brought religion with them. and here it will be until the end of time.

Answer 2

I think historically it's more that the enlightenment left its mark on Europe and a lot of religious groups emigrated to America. Europe has maintained enlightenment criticism of religion.

Currently, or in recent history, it's hard to tell. Perhaps religion has been more woven into the meaning of America so that not being religious appears to be 'not being American'.

edit - The answer below makes a good point. It's perhaps a different approach to religion.

Answer 3

Europe has already felt the "root of all evil" (a bit of hypocrisy on behalf of the Pope). We are more than aware of how poisonous it is to have religious divides.

Answer 4

Religious beliefs are very personal to Americans.  It is against human nature for a government to order what beliefs people have.  Churches are another institution that have been used to persecute people.  And make people 'toe the line'.   States are in a position of power which is amplified with their use of 'their' churches.  

European churches are 'State' churches.  This is a central reason why many left Europe for America.  Freedom of religion is written into our constitution.  The FIRST amendment.  It specifically forbids the state from interfering with religion in the country.  That means no censorship of the clergy, no confiscatory taxation,  no interference with peaceful assembly, no doctrinaire instructions,  no limitations of worship.  Our forefathers were Christian. God given 'Inalienable Rights' were important to them to  protect.  It was also a  way to alert people of corrupt, immoral individuals from entering unnoticed into governmental positions of power.  

It is difficult to make life miserable for minorities in America, as we all have basic freedom from governmental arbitrary actions against the citizens.  Most Americans have a healthy distrust of government.  On the other hand we all want a strong defense for our country.  But a weak government for the people in the country.  

King George made life miserable for the early Americans.  It was with great relief that we got rid of his grip on us.  

Unfortunately, most churches in the US have signed up with the IRS and their 501(c)3 code section that 'allows' churches to be 'non-profit' as long as they do not support political issues.  Thus, religious freedom for those 'churches' have been muzzled by the government.  

A total violation of the Constitution, and is being corrected more and more.  

Answer 5

I get the strong impression that many people who emigrated to the US  in its early history were folks that took themselves too seriously and as such didn't fit in with the free spirited culture of the Europeans.

And this is the result: A more militant type of religious beliefs in the US which, as we all know, puts a lot of emphasis on the Book of Revelations.  

All this mixes well with nationalistic feelings and so going to church is not only a spiritual affirmation but also an endorsement of your own country and political beliefs.

Europeans, after all they suffered, know much better than doing that.  

Answer 6

What real difference is there between a "godless Europe" and a religiously hypocritical America?

I believe there is a common thread between the two that underscores brightly the phenomenon on both sides of the Atlantic; money.

Answer 7

because they are commies

Answer 8

Since you haven't defined what you mean by "seem less religious," there is no meaningful way to answer your question. There's a lot more fundamentalists in the USA, but that doesn't make the USA more religious than Europe, just stuck in the religious middle ages.

Answer 9

JESUS RULES !!!!!!!

Answer 10

I am going to turn the question around - why do americans seem more religious than europeans [obviously not all americans]

Here's what I think.  America is a new country in comparison with the countries of Europe - we were initially populated with groups who were fairly strict religiously -- BUT our govt structure was put in place by "children" of the enlightenment - men for who religion only had a personal place not one in govt.  So those two groups balanced each other.

But in american history there was this idea of Manifest Destiny - it is commonly used to describe the push west to the pacific.  But it is more than that - it was a belief that "Providence" [God, fate, whatever - some independent power over us] gave all of the land on north america to us and that it was HIS will that we expand.  

That alone can be interpreted as a pretty religious idea.  In a way Americans were the chosen people - our actions were right [big time God approves right] so how can anything we do be wrong

I think our increased religion is a bit of an offshoot from that - we have this notion that children are taught of this historical divine will for this country to expand and grow (without it we would have been very small).   Even our wars have been fought because we were on the "right" side.  Our physical isolation has also contributed - with one admittadly big, exception, since our Revolution, we have found no major wars on our soil and we have had no limits to our ambitions.

This whole revival of religion started after the turmoil of the 1960s and of Vietnam -- a war where we more and more people believed we were not "right" [or if we were, why were we "abandoned" by God] and a time when the world order began to change - womens rights, civil rights, free love,  growing awareness of evil "communism"  -- all lead to a religious revival - to try to get back the favor of God by returning to the old puritanical ways [not that those were every very true].

Look at the leaders of the evangelical and religious right movements - they all came of age during this time of radicalism.  This increased religiosity is a reaction from people who were offended or threatened.  

Europe on the other hand - much older countries that had long gone through their growing pains - war after war with each other,  death and destruction in the name of religion and nationalism.  The knowledge that comes with age that religion is best suited for personal reflection alone.  Overall, Europe has moved beyond the need for religion other than personal faith.  

Answer 11

That's a pretty interesting question and difficult to answer. Religious groups who have not been particularly welcome in their own home land traditionally have found a home in the United States. That might turn up the level of intensity for some once they arrive.

I'm aware the evangelicals in America have had a more public face in the past 30 or so years, but I'm not sure there is an easy explanation. A reaction to the problems of the 1960's? More willing to go public with their beliefs, particularly since Reagan became a national figure and eventually President? All of the above?  

Answer 12

they are more advanced intellectually.