What place for God in Europe?
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Across Europe,the conflicting currents of secularism, Christianity, and Islam are compelling Europeans to wrestle with their values as never before. In this first installment of a three-part series, the Monitor examines the forces that are shaping European identity - and explores why the Continent is debating what role, if any, religion should play in public life.
By Peter Ford | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
csmonitor.com
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Points out attitudes in politics and religion.
Good article: Pop Quiz---
Where would you put the US in among the European countries
as percentage of going to church or religious conviction?
a)-- The US fills the pews the most.(now its percentage not number)
b)-- ranks high -- maybe top 3
c)-- in the middle
d)-- most European countries have the best churches and use them more than the US.
Answer hint: <snip>
Today, just 21 percent of Europeans say religion is "very important" to them, according to the most recent European Values Study, which tracks attitudes in 32 European countries. A survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found that nearly three times as many Americans, 59 percent, called their faith "very important."
Although a Gallup poll found last year that 44 percent of Americans say they attend a place of worship once a week, the average figure in Europe is only 15 percent, although the picture varies widely across the Continent.
answer is (b). 2 countries-- Poland and Ireland have more churchgoers.(according to the article and goto link for a chart showing each country)
"Indeed, its secularism has led to jokes that Europe is one big "blue" state. But Europeans aren't laughing. Buffeted by the crosscurrents of secularism, Christianity, and Islam - and mindful of a history of religious violence - they are wrestling with their values and identity as never before." |
