How does the church influence your life?
For me - I'm super interested in the history of the church. In my country (Sweden), a missionary Benedictine monk named Ansgar came to convert the Nordic vikings in the 9th century.
In the town I live in, we have a church built in the 1100's, yet I know only two people who are "believers". Most Swedes would probably call themselves atheist.
The only experience I have with being evangelized or frowned upon for my lack of belief is from Americans while visiting friends there. It's fascinating to me how one of the most "modern" countries in the world is still so heavily influenced by religion.
It's so entrenched in the politics of the U.S. and that frankly scares me. We never hear of God in any political context or mainstream culture in Sweden. Not even the more conservative party "the Christ Democrats" mention God that often, because they know that would probably lose them support.
What are your thoughts on church? How does it influence your life? Is it prevelent in public discourse where you live?
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.The Christian crazies are absolutely overwhelming in this country I do not believe that we will move forward as a species until we can evolve Beyond religion
Drsmash253
Level 7
Jan 19, 2019
0
The amount of religious fervor in America frankly scares me sometimes. The absolute hypocrisy of it all is astounding. Spending more than half of my life in Canada and then moving to Texas( Bible Belt). You can’t drive more than a couple blocks without seeing a church.
To tell someone you are an atheist is equated with satanism. They are so uninformed.
There is no division between church and state and I find this the most troubling. Any looney tune can start up a church, pay no taxes and live like a king. It’s all a scam on the sheeple.
We have a Vice President that still believes in conversion therapy for homosexual people.
I could go on... it’s a mess!!!
Green_eyes
Level 8
Jan 19, 2019
2
i'm a jewish atheist so there never was "church." shul is different -- and as i was raised quite secularly, that was not an influence on my life. when i meet other jews they sometimes ask me which temple i go to, and i tell them i don't go, or if i'm with my guy i ask him which one we go to for the high holidays because i always forget the name. it's nice, though. other people don't spontaneously ask me that, or which church (assuming, right?) or anything like that. i tend not to hang out with religious folks lol. i live in a 'burb of a major metropolitan area. there's no small-town everyone-in-your-hair feeling here.
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genessa
Level 8
Jan 19, 2019
1
America is very odd that way.
I am very interested in the history of religion and how it has added to our culture. It is, to me, the history of people through the centuries. My country, Ireland, is very secular these days and there is great antipathy towards the R.C. Church, which is understandable after the crimes of the clergy became known.
brentan
Level 8
Jan 19, 2019
2
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