NPR is hosting the audio of a recent debate around the question of whether or not America is too religious. Three spokespeople from each side of the debate presented arguments agreeing or disagreeing with the premise that America is too religious. You can listen to audio from the debate or sample clips from each speaker’s argument at the NPR site.
I don’t think the debate is likely to radically change too many minds, but it’s worth hearing, as many interesting points are raised.
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February 28, 2007 at 01:26
I think America is not religious enough…
I think there is tremendous need for theistic religous people in America. Atheistic/agnostic religions(not atheists, but things like Hinduism) are Ok, but I don’t trust their ethical system very much.
Pretty much any theistic religion’s values I would agree with and these values are tough to find in America. America and the world would be a better place if more people where religious and followed their religious values.
PS. I would take exception to radical Islam, but I would hope that would go without saying…
February 28, 2007 at 03:11
If religious means using the government to promote religion then yes, we are too religious. If religious means promoting spiritual values through living them, then we are not religious enough.
February 28, 2007 at 10:54
I know this doesn’t speak to the question as it is being debated, but I’d love to engage folks on the premise that too many people are too “religious” and not enough people (including myself) are truly living the Christian way of life.
Even there, we would have a lively debate on how to define those terms…
At any rate, my biggest problem in the debate is with those who try to compartmentalize “religion” from public issues and public life. I am (with God’s help, trying to be) a “Christian.” Therefore, that will affect my attitudes and behavior in all aspects of life.
I can’t put my “religion” in my back pocket when engaging in commerce, politics or interpersonal relations…
March 4, 2007 at 16:46
This is another case of asking the wrong question and getting a lot of silly answers. Religion is not quantifiable. How much is “too much”? How much is “enough”? How much is “not enough”? Math really doesn’t apply. Religion is first of all personal between an individual human and God. Then, it is corporate in the sense of fellowship and shared beliefs. How can you even define a nation as “religious” or “not religious”? A better question might be, “Does American have a healthy attitude in its constitution, laws and culture toward the role of religion in our life and lives?” My answer would be (a) absolutely, (b) mostly, but some room for improvement, (c) no, our culture has a terrible attitude toward religion, both from those who think they believe in God and those who deny any positive role for religion. Our culture gives rise to silly questions like “Is America too religious?”
March 7, 2007 at 12:37
‘Religion’ is a terrible thing. ‘Religion’ makes people think that they are ‘ok’ with or without God. Whether it be Paganism, Secular-Humanism, cults, or modern pseudo-Christianity without the gospel. If people think they are ok, then they do not recognize their lost sinful state and their need for a Savior. ‘Religion’ has been keeping people from God throughout the history of the human race.