Religion

Opti · 03-02-2004

Mike... that sounds like a very healthy attitude!!

I listened to a special about how religous the world is on BBC radio the other night.. was really interesting. They conducted a survey in quite a number of countries simply asking if people believed in god.. whatever their god may be. (they didnt mention sample sizes and I doubt it is scientific.. but was interesting)

The top countries in % of believers was mostly places like Nigeria, Yemen, India and third world countries.. But the USA was the one exception at the top of the list.

Nigeria was close to 100% but the rest of the top beleivers fell in the 70-80% range... USA had about 75% of people respond that they did believe in god.. third on the BBC list.

In Contrast, Britain was alomost at the botom of the list with less than 50% of people saying they beleived in god... and most other first world fell in the 50-60% range.

When it came to % of particualar religions that believed the Hindus came out on top with around 75%, then Muslims and Christians not far behind... Interesting part of that one was the Jewish... who came last and were way lower than most... around 55% I think it was...

During the course of discussion the presenters drew some conclusions about why certain countries have a much higher belief rate than others... but I doubt many Americans would like their opinion... They sugested that all countries with high rates of belief were countries where children are not given any broad religous education or choice.. and though society indoctrination and social presure people are "forced" to admit they worship a certain god... until eventuially they believe it.

I dont know if I agree with that analysis in the case of the USA but have always thought it queer how many athletes and politicians choose to publicly thank god for this and that... Anyone here care to offer an opinion why America is so high on the scale of believers compared to other first world countries?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Threaded Mode

03-02-2004	#14
Opti Members Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 1,205	Mike... that sounds like a very healthy attitude!! I listened to a special about how religous the world is on BBC radio the other night.. was really interesting. They conducted a survey in quite a number of countries simply asking if people believed in god.. whatever their god may be. (they didnt mention sample sizes and I doubt it is scientific.. but was interesting) The top countries in % of believers was mostly places like Nigeria, Yemen, India and third world countries.. But the USA was the one exception at the top of the list. Nigeria was close to 100% but the rest of the top beleivers fell in the 70-80% range... USA had about 75% of people respond that they did believe in god.. third on the BBC list. In Contrast, Britain was alomost at the botom of the list with less than 50% of people saying they beleived in god... and most other first world fell in the 50-60% range. When it came to % of particualar religions that believed the Hindus came out on top with around 75%, then Muslims and Christians not far behind... Interesting part of that one was the Jewish... who came last and were way lower than most... around 55% I think it was... During the course of discussion the presenters drew some conclusions about why certain countries have a much higher belief rate than others... but I doubt many Americans would like their opinion... They sugested that all countries with high rates of belief were countries where children are not given any broad religous education or choice.. and though society indoctrination and social presure people are "forced" to admit they worship a certain god... until eventuially they believe it. I dont know if I agree with that analysis in the case of the USA but have always thought it queer how many athletes and politicians choose to publicly thank god for this and that... Anyone here care to offer an opinion why America is so high on the scale of believers compared to other first world countries?