Why Religious belief is more or less common in the world

Gary wrote the following in the Faith and Belief Forum, in the thread started by TheClashFan with the really long title. I recently learned that in Europe, religious belief has been on the decline in recent decades, while in the Third world and the United States, it is very high and on the increase.I was also reading about some explanations for why this is the case.One interesting idea was the fact that compared to other First world countries, the United States does a terrible job of educating most of it's people, providing adequate healthcare for everyone, and providing a safety net for its poor and disadvantaged. This state of affairs makes the US more similar to Third world countries that also fall short in these areas.The result being that large numbers of the citizens of Third World countries and also the US are more attracted to the comfort of belief in God and the support of religious communities because so many people have constant anxiety about being able to have their basic needs met.What do you think?

Thread moved here from the Proposed New Topics forum.

And the religious right under the leadership of George Bush are determined to keep it that way! The rich monopolists of this country have too much to lose otherwise.lfen

Has America ever had a religious war? I can't think of one.My hypothesis is this: Europe is increasingly areligious because it's history of constant warring between the protestants and catholics (particularly) has left us with a deep mistrust of folks who wear religion on their sleeve.

Not on topic. Thanks very much.

Well, this time I don't get it. Seems to me it's on topic as to why the US doesn't have the same education and social programs as Europe. Would you please explain where you think the topic should be and why you see my view as not addressing the issue raised?lfen

This basically says "Yea, it is" then it goes into a political rant that might have some basis in fact but is bound to drag the whole thing waaaay off topic.We are supposed to be considering the world as a whole.
Your comment might have been better if you'd said:
"And the politically powerful around the world use religion as one way of maintaining control. The US being a prime example."Might be less inclinded to get off topic.

quote:

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Has America ever had a religious war? I can't think of one.

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Well, the Pilgims were crazy Christian religious extremeists who were kicked out of Europe for being too strict.

the original colonies were also religious enclaves of several sects with some differences.there was enough land that disputes could be resolved otherwise than wars. from A Short History of Rhode Island:
(Rhode Island History, USGenWeb Project) easier to just go off and make your own colony rather than try to take over another one.

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we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand RebelAAmerican.Zen[Deist
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