The religious divide between the US and Europe (and Australia)


Ian Buruma in The Guardian argues that the US and Europe (and I would add other Europe-derived societies like Australia) are drifting further apart on the grounds of religious belief. Although these societies have much in common concerning civil and political liberties they are radically different when it comes to belief in God, church attendance, and the idea that state legislation should reflect religious ideas (or "values" as they are termed in the US). This is odd given the strong Deist, even agnostic views, of the "Founding Fathers" of the US republic. I think Jefferson would be appalled at the growth of religious fundamentalism in the US over the past 25 years, especially at its political agenda.

Ian Buruma in The Guardian argues that the US and Europe (and I would add other Europe-derived societies like Australia) are drifting further apart on the grounds of religious belief. Although these societies have much in common concerning civil and political liberties they are radically different when it comes to belief in God, church attendance, and the idea that state legislation should reflect religious ideas (or "values" as they are termed in the US). This is odd given the strong Deist, even agnostic views, of the "Founding Fathers" of the US republic. I think Jefferson would be appalled at the growth of religious fundamentalism in the US over the past 25 years, especially at its political agenda.

Posted: Mon - January 9, 2006 at 07:49 PM        

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