I just want to point out that even in the most nonreligious countries, things are going very well. Our economies are stable, the crime rates are low, democratic and rationalistic values are widely appreciated, people have healthcare and top grade education, and no one thinks anyone is going to burn in hell. Even among the religious, there's none of the divisive talk you find in fundamentalist groups. People don't have to define themselves as part of a religion - they're just themselves, living their lives with love and compassion towards their fellow humans (and animals).

And practically the only people who don't believe in evolution around here are, ironically, American missionaries.

Our state isn't even secular. We have a queen and a state church. It doesn't proselytize, for the record, or spread religion in any way. We don't have laws against prayer in school. We just don't think religion is a big deal. It's not something to recoil against, even foreign religions, but it's also not something to take seriously.

My point is... Don't let anyone tell you that America wouldn't be strong without religion. In fact, I think the United States could achieve amazing things if religion was put on the sidelines and philosophy, tolerance, and rational argument was embraced as fully as did the founding fathers. And I like to think Europeans and Americans could understand each other better and cooperate equally on a number of issues. That's why we like Obama so much. We trust him to put earthly, human need first instead of being the preacher-in-chief.

by Sorenzo on 03/11/2009 09:41:28 AM EST