Why is it that European people are so tolerant of religious

[CanIgonow]

differences while Americans who are supposed to be for freedom of religion more and more intolerant? Along with this, why is it that in a democracy like ours, the fundamentalists want to impose their viewpoints of religion on others in a coercive way? Something just doesn't compute.Is religion entrenching the rule by the absurd?Almost like the rule by the mountain people in "Deliverance".

[liberalpragmatist]

1. Well, Europeans Aren't Really THAT Tolerant of Religious Differences

I'm not trying to harp on religious tolerance. I think Europeans are fairly tolerant, but I think that a lot of it is more antagonism towards religion. The US is generally more religious. Europeans tend to ignore religion, so it does promote a sort-of tolerance.

But I wouldn't call it quite "acceptance." In European societies, those who are religious are often seen as weird, and there's actually a lot of intolerance towards Muslims in many societies. It's true that many Muslims are quite backwards, especially in regards to women, but that's really more a reflection of the societies they came from rather than the religion itself, which, like any religion, can be construed progressively or conservatively depending on one's inclination. Europeans are actually quite anti-Muslim.

[CanIgonow]

3. Thanks.That was quite a revealing post.

[comradebillyboy]

2. blood baths like the 30 yrs war

and the religious wars following the reformation cooled european lust to force their religion on others, at least others who could fight back. our puritan ancestors were too intolerant for england (the curch of england was not far enough from its catholic roots).

[sweetheart]

4. modern european culture is overwhelmingly secular

The BBC's religious editor is an atheist. That says it all.
A whole generation is being raised to believe that church and
religion is a superstition of times past.

That this is contributing to the decline of long-standing
repressive christian churches, seems quite healthy, but that it
also encourages a general presumption of secularism leads towards
a possible future where mystical and profound religion is subverted,
much as Rome opposed Jesus Christ and his cult.

[bobbieinok]

5. fundamentalist US groups are having big effects in England + Germany

there's a christian party in Germany

there's a very vocal anti-abortion, anti-homosexual voice in Germany

[drdigi420]

9. just proves rednecks are everywhere

[Easy]

10. Actually, there are several religious parties

and all of them are a laughing stock. All of them are absolutely meaningless in the political discourse, and as far as I know, none of them has even one representative in a caucus.

As far as homophobia and abortion are concerned, I can assure you that neither is an issue you could win an election on. Most people here think that personal issues and choices are just that: personal. Of course, idiots are everywhere, so you'll find some people crying out against abortion and gay marriage. But as I said, these issues are nothing you could win any "hearts and minds" with.

One of the religious parties, the PBC (Partei Bibeltreuer Christen, party of bible abiding christians) once tried to make abortion an issue in an election, talking about "Babies being torn to shreds!!!11" in their campaign ads. It didn't get them even 1% of the vote.

~Easy

[bobbieinok]

13. thing is, I think this fundamentalist stuff wasn't there 20+ years ago

and is now loud

there are a lot of pentecosatal type churches in Germany......a large one in Hannover, Wort des Glaubens in Munich, Kirche am Stern and others in Berlin

also they have a pretty strong presence on the internet

[Easy]

15. Since I'm not so much older than 20+ years,

I can't really comment on that. I just don't have the feeling of increased religious fundamentalism or rising sects or anything of that kind. Quite the opposite, in fact. Religious institutions, especially the catholic and protestant church, are losing more and more members every year. Religious issues just aren't a part of every-day life here. For example, during a normal conversation or discussion with a stranger, I wouldn't dream of asking about his beliefs, and would be very surprised if I was asked myself. It just isn't an issue.

As for presence on the net, well... I don't know if that can be taken as a proof for power or influence. I sure don't see it that way. Websites are just websites.

[Kanary]

14. Hi Easy!

Welcome to DU!

:hi: :hi: :hi:

:toast: :toast:

Interesting post. Where is "here"?

Kanary

[Easy]

16. Hi :)

I've been here for quite some time, I just don't post that much :hi:

And "here" is Wolfenbüttel in Germany, the city where Jägermeister comes from ;)

[Warpy]

6. Europe went through two world wars on their soil

After those wars, Europe was shockingly irreligious. God had been sorely tested and found wanting, as had the institutions represented by the churches.

The last war on US soil was the Civil War. Americans have had no reason to be anything but comfortably trusting in the god of their various churches, and convinced that this god has been giving them the good things of this world. It's no wonder that there's a mawkish intertwining of patriotism and misunderstood theology, and that all other faiths would be so little tolerated.

[arbusto_baboso]

7. For the most part, their "tolerance" consists of...

thinking ALL religions are equally loopy.

Unfortunately things are starting to change in that regard.

[CanIgonow]

11. Think they may have a point.

[drdigi420]

8. europe is more advanced socially

so they tend to ignore the myths that many americans believe are real

[TexasSissy]

12. I don't think they are.

The Spanish Inquisition. The Crusades. The Monks and the Catholic Priests, who fought with kings over money and land. The Jews in Germany. The Irish Republic (protestants vs. Catholics). Protestants vs. Catholics in England.

The closest thing we have to the kind of religious persecution that existed in Europe for over a thousand years was the Salem witch trials.

No, Europeans are not more tolerant than we are. I think it is probably just more accepted there to be intolerant than it is here. It is okay there not to like catholicism, if you are a protestant, and vice versa. Here in America, we think that is wrong.

[Kellanved]

17. Quite one-sided

Think of Prussia ("Hier muss ein jeder nach seiner Facon selig werden." / "Here every one must find his happiness in his own way.") and a host of other European examples for tolerance on religion.

I'd say for many younger Europeans religion is not that important any more, this alone results in a certain tolerance. At the same time, as a result of several centuries of shared interests, religion is far more openly embedded into laws and regulations.

It seems to depend very much on what someone understands under "tolerance", a highly subjective term. If you're looking on a long term time scale, seeing Europe as one entity and define "tolerant" as tolerant to Christian sects - then yes, the US is more tolerant.