How does the church influence your life?


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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?