"Study after study, index after index, shows that internally the United States mirrors the world externally. For education, wealth, health, and life expectancy, it is better to live among the infidels than among the true believers.

"What is the causal connection? Does theism depress life, or does an elevated life lead to non-belief? Social scientists are all over the map on this. There is some evidence to support a common-cause explanation — education leads to both societal success and diminished belief. The strongest trends, however, are toward societal benefits leading to non-belief rather than conversely."

(From Michael RUSE: "Atheism" )