Why do Americans keep their faith private?

[Achronos]

Or should I say a separation between church and everyday life. Most Protestants I know act Christian in a church and outside of it they are different people.

The more I read literature from centuries ago I see how there wasn't that separation and it was so ingrained in what people would do/say.

Why turn religion into a private taboo?

[Achronos]

And yes I know this applies to Catholics and Orthodoxtoo, but since Prots are more in the majority...

[Nephi]

It's generally the nominals across the board that have a complete divide between their "religion" and their "public life."

Other than that, pertaining to Americans, it's often probably just an abuse (i.e. not how it's intended) of the church-secular distinction that's extremely influential in the Protestant tradition.

[orthonorm]

I wish they would.

Makes for many cringe worthy moments.

This probably more of a class / race thing.

Frankly I wish poor people whose lives are falling apart would quit telling me about it and how it is a test from God to make their faith stronger.

I hear this sorta talk at least once a day.

What did Marx say?

[Achronos]

I guess the poor are going throug a more unfortunate tribulation.

Yes what did Marx say again?

[Kerdy]

Why do Americans keep their faith private?

Because most do not have enough to go public.

[Kerdy]

In America, we have this incorrect idea where there is a separation of church and state to keep the church out of state (i.e., public), rather than what it was really intended to do (it was created by Jefferson in a letter to the Dansbury Baptists and constitutionally created to protect religious freedom), and keep the state out of the church, as it was in England.  Basically, we don’t know our own history.

(I have edited this post a couple of times in the attempt to keep if from becoming political.  I hope I did a good job.)

[Michał Kalina]

In America, we have this incorrect idea where there is a separation of church and state to keep the church out of state (i.e., public)

I wouldn't say it's incorrect.

[Kerdy]

In America, we have this incorrect idea where there is a separation of church and state to keep the church out of state (i.e., public)

I wouldn't say it's incorrect.

And you would be wrong, but this isn't the politics forum so I digress.

[Michał Kalina]

In America, we have this incorrect idea where there is a separation of church and state to keep the church out of state (i.e., public)

I wouldn't say it's incorrect.

And you would be wrong, but this isn't the politics forum so I digress.

Baptist would surely ban the Greco-Russian cult you have converted to. Not sure how it would be OK.

[JamesR]

They keep their faith private?! Do you know what you are saying? I WISH more Protestants in America would keep their faith quiet. It seems to me like they are extremely vocal and public about their faith. You can't pass one street corner without some Protestant trying to preach to you, or watch a football game without seeing some weirdo waving a "John 3:16" sign. At the beginning of almost every public event--like a sports game or political thing, there always has to be some prayer thing in the beginning or someone mentioning God. America is practically a theocracy. Just look at how much religion influences our politics, it is the only reason why homosexual marriage is still illegal and you know it, it is also why America supports Israel. Just look at the Republican Party for crying out loud, their policies are rooted in religion. America is probably the only developed nation where a politician can say that they believe "God wants them to run" or enact a certain policy without being laughed off stage. Protestant preachers openly try to influence people's political choices and explicitly align themselves with certain political movements and/of figures and will openly curse the President as being a godless Marxist Muslim. Protestants are spoiled in America. Hell, we don't have enough separation of Church and State in America. I WISH we had more of it. In America it is practically a taboo to support separation of Church and State or even be a non-Christian.

[Kerdy]

In America, we have this incorrect idea where there is a separation of church and state to keep the church out of state (i.e., public)

I wouldn't say it's incorrect.

And you would be wrong, but this isn't the politics forum so I digress.

Baptist would surely ban the Greco-Russian cult you have converted to. Not sure how it would be OK.

No idea what you are saying...

[Michał Kalina]

In America, we have this incorrect idea where there is a separation of church and state to keep the church out of state (i.e., public)

I wouldn't say it's incorrect.

And you would be wrong, but this isn't the politics forum so I digress.

Baptist would surely ban the Greco-Russian cult you have converted to. Not sure how it would be OK.

No idea what you are saying...

Now idea how increasing influence of dominant US Religions (all these crazy Protestant sects) would improve the situation of the tiny Orthodox minority. Can you explain?

[Kerdy]

In America, we have this incorrect idea where there is a separation of church and state to keep the church out of state (i.e., public)

I wouldn't say it's incorrect.

And you would be wrong, but this isn't the politics forum so I digress.

Baptist would surely ban the Greco-Russian cult you have converted to. Not sure how it would be OK.

No idea what you are saying...

Now idea how increasing influence of dominant US Religions (all these crazy Protestant sects) would improve the situation of the tiny Orthodox minority. Can you explain?

I suspect you don’t fully understand or appreciate the original design of American politics.  Then, most Americans don’t either so I can’t really hold that against you.   Here it is supposed to be Freedom OF Religion, not FROM religion. But again, this is not the political forum.

[Michał Kalina]

"I'm wiser than you"

You are free to believe that but you can at least  try to explain your point instead of running away.

[JamesR]

If you were to give America's majority religious population--which is odd Evangelical Protestant sects--more power and influence than they already have, then that would spell out doom for religious minorities like Muslims, and especially us Catholics and Orthodox. Remember, we're just an idol-worshipping neo-platonist cult that polluted the true message of Christ after Constantine in their eyes. They would turn America into a violent theocracy comparable to what Islam has done in the Middle-East.

[Michał Kalina]

If you were to give America's majority religious population--which is odd Evangelical Protestant sects--more power and influence than they already have, then that would spell out doom for religious minorities like Muslims, and especially us Catholics and Orthodox. Remember, we're just an idol-worshipping neo-platonist cult that polluted the true message of Christ after Constantine in their eyes. They would turn America into a violent theocracy comparable to what Islam has done in the Middle-East.

That's why I'm curious why some Orthodox would support that.

[Achronos]

If you were to give America's majority religious population--which is odd Evangelical Protestant sects--more power and influence than they already have, then that would spell out doom for religious minorities like Muslims, and especially us Catholics and Orthodox. Remember, we're just an idol-worshipping neo-platonist cult that polluted the true message of Christ after Constantine in their eyes. They would turn America into a violent theocracy comparable to what Islam has done in the Middle-East.

That's why I'm curious why some Orthodox would support that.

That's pretty pessimistic IMO.

[Kerdy]

"I'm wiser than you"

You are free to believe that but you can at least  try to explain your point instead of running away.

I know my country better than you, as you know your country better than I.  There is no competition of wisdom here. 

As a moderator, you should understand why I am "running away".  This isn’t the place for political discussion.

[JamesR]

Someone please move this to politics

[Kerdy]

If you were to give America's majority religious population--which is odd Evangelical Protestant sects--more power and influence than they already have, then that would spell out doom for religious minorities like Muslims, and especially us Catholics and Orthodox. Remember, we're just an idol-worshipping neo-platonist cult that polluted the true message of Christ after Constantine in their eyes. They would turn America into a violent theocracy comparable to what Islam has done in the Middle-East.

Considering they are the ones who founded this nation, I think you may be wrong.

[Kerdy]

Someone please move this to politics

Better yet, stop talking politics in this thread.

[Kerdy]

Why do Americans keep their faith private?

Because most do not have enough to go public.

[JamesR]

If you were to give America's majority religious population--which is odd Evangelical Protestant sects--more power and influence than they already have, then that would spell out doom for religious minorities like Muslims, and especially us Catholics and Orthodox. Remember, we're just an idol-worshipping neo-platonist cult that polluted the true message of Christ after Constantine in their eyes. They would turn America into a violent theocracy comparable to what Islam has done in the Middle-East.

Considering they are the ones who founded this nation, I think you may be wrong.

And look at how they treated religious minorities in our nation's early years before the First Amendment. Roman Catholics were often discriminated against, certain colonies prohibited worship by certain types of Christians (like Roman Catholics) and at the time we were becoming an independent nation in the 18th century, there was already a ton of opposition by them against total religious freedom. They wanted to limit the presidency to only Christians where others even wanted to prohibit the presidency to certain Christian denominations (like Roman Catholics). Take prayer in schools as another example, it was oftentimes used as a way to target Roman Catholics, minority Christian denominations and other religious minorities--their way of finding out who to discriminate against and try to turn them into good American Protestants.

[Cyrillic]

I'm not American, but I too keep my faith too private as well. I should show my faith by loving my neighbours more, helping others and watching my tongue more often, but I fall short each day 

[Kerdy]

If you were to give America's majority religious population--which is odd Evangelical Protestant sects--more power and influence than they already have, then that would spell out doom for religious minorities like Muslims, and especially us Catholics and Orthodox. Remember, we're just an idol-worshipping neo-platonist cult that polluted the true message of Christ after Constantine in their eyes. They would turn America into a violent theocracy comparable to what Islam has done in the Middle-East.

Considering they are the ones who founded this nation, I think you may be wrong.

And look at how they treated religious minorities in our nation's early years before the First Amendment. Roman Catholics were often discriminated against, certain colonies prohibited worship by certain types of Christians (like Roman Catholics) and at the time we were becoming an independent nation in the 18th century, there was already a ton of opposition by them against total religious freedom. They wanted to limit the presidency to only Christians where others even wanted to prohibit the presidency to certain Christian denominations (like Roman Catholics). Take prayer in schools as another example, it was oftentimes used as a way to target Roman Catholics, minority Christian denominations and other religious minorities--their way of finding out who to discriminate against and try to turn them into good American Protestants.

What kind of school do you attend?

[Kerdy]

I'm not American, but I too keep my faith too private as well. I should show my faith by loving my neighbours more, helping others and watching my tongue more often, but I fall short each day 

And in these ways, you more than reveal your faith.  Eventually, someone will ask you about your character.

[Michał Kalina]

If you were to give America's majority religious population--which is odd Evangelical Protestant sects--more power and influence than they already have, then that would spell out doom for religious minorities like Muslims, and especially us Catholics and Orthodox. Remember, we're just an idol-worshipping neo-platonist cult that polluted the true message of Christ after Constantine in their eyes. They would turn America into a violent theocracy comparable to what Islam has done in the Middle-East.

That's why I'm curious why some Orthodox would support that.

That's pretty pessimistic IMO.

Can you name any country where one religion was dominant that did not do such things?

[Achronos]

If you were to give America's majority religious population--which is odd Evangelical Protestant sects--more power and influence than they already have, then that would spell out doom for religious minorities like Muslims, and especially us Catholics and Orthodox. Remember, we're just an idol-worshipping neo-platonist cult that polluted the true message of Christ after Constantine in their eyes. They would turn America into a violent theocracy comparable to what Islam has done in the Middle-East.

That's why I'm curious why some Orthodox would support that.

That's pretty pessimistic IMO.

Can you name any country where one religion was dominant that did not do such things?

Depends on the religion. No doubt discrimination occurs, but to the extent of what James speaks of, I don't hear much reports of those from the Balkans killing Muslims nor other countries where Orthodox/Catholic is the majority.

Frankly, I find the idea of Protestants vanquishing minority religions out of America pretty nutty. On what basis? You think Protestants are going to turn into the Westboro Baptist Church overnight? Nope.

But hey my worldview is extremely limited to "secular" Colorado and you know, we have our own religion of sorts. I'll be unaffected in the event of a Protestant Apocalypse.

[Kerdy]

Protestant Apocalypse.

This made me smile.

[Achronos]

Protestant Apocalypse.

This made me smile.

The Orthodox will be raptured out of it. Sorry for the atheists who will simply be left behind in the ensuing aftermath of Gideon Bible bashers and pulpit busters.

[Michał Kalina]

Depends on the religion. No doubt discrimination occurs, but to the extent of what James speaks of, I don't hear much reports of those from the Balkans killing Muslims nor other countries where Orthodox/Catholic is the majority.

Tsarist Russia? Pavelić' Croatia? Franco's Spain? Fr. Tiso's Slovakia? Interwar Poland?

BTW Do you know the reason why those Puritans boarded the Mayflower?

[Achronos]

Depends on the religion. No doubt discrimination occurs, but to the extent of what James speaks of, I don't hear much reports of those from the Balkans killing Muslims nor other countries where Orthodox/Catholic is the majority.

Tsarist Russia? Pavelić' Croatia? Franco's Spain? Fr. Tiso's Slovakia? Interwar Poland?

BTW Do you know the reason why those Puritans boarded the Mayflower?

Wasn't there a time in Russia where Islam flourished under the Tsars? I mean they weren't totally expelled like in Spain, for example, but sure russification happened. Besides I am not basing my opinions on history.

But this isn't really answering my question, anyway.

[Michał Kalina]

Wasn't there a time in Russia where Islam flourished under the Tsars?

And Eastern Catholicism was made illegal?

Besides I am not basing my opinions on history.

So how would you base opinion "religious states have always failed but wen this time we create one it won't"?

[Achronos]

Wasn't there a time in Russia where Islam flourished under the Tsars?

And Eastern Catholicism was made illegal?

Besides I am not basing my opinions on history.

So how would you base opinion "religious states have always failed but wen this time we create one it won't"?

Um, what exactly are you talking about? I'm being serious here because I believe we are talking about two separate things. In America, religion is kept as primarily a private enterprise. We make it a point to keep our religious convictions at home and put on something PC for our jobs. You have many folks who are Christians at home but when they go to work it's a different story. That's one example. As far as I have understood our society, it is never a good thing to talk about religion in public even if there are those in a certain populace that are in general agreement.

Americans will stand in church every Sunday when they get to LARP as a Christian, then once the services are over it's back to the real religion that drives everything we do: consumerism. We just had our biggest feast day yesterday as consumers, did you see the festivities?

EDIT: Just to clarify, I am critiquing a certain thing about Americans who consider themselves to be Christians. As I said, I am not sure why we keep religion almost like a taboo. I may have an answer, which is everybody has an opinion on what they believe and that's fine, there is no objective truth, but merely subjective and we cannot argue with others about it. Maybe it's just in Colorado, but I hardly see alot of Gospel preaching. For some like orthonorm, that's a good thing.

I am one of those who believe religion, if we actively practice it, should be in everything we do, and part of that is sharing our faith with others.

It's like that great platitude the Orthodox say about Orthodoxy in America "It's America's greatest secret!", well why make it a secret? Most of the religious conversations I have with folks is "Oh so what do you believe?" and they will answer whatever religion they follow and that ends the conversation.

I am always happy to hear from the few that like to discuss what they believe because it's obvious how important they value their religion. And I have alot of respect for those who place an importance on it because what is more important? We shouldn't be lukewarm with what we believe in, and that's part of what drew me to dig deeper into what I actually believe.

No point of having a religion if you aren't going to be fully committed to it, but maybe I'm being extreme here.

[Michał Kalina]

Depends on what do you mean by "fully committed".

[Achronos]

Depends on what do you mean by "fully committed".

No cherry-picking Bible verses.

You take issue with "fully committed"? You mean you don't want a Satanist to be fully committed to their cult? Why not?

[orthonorm]

You white people are funny.

Go to a darker shade and people ain't so reticent about their religion.

And Cyrillic, Western Europeans are far, far more private about religious beliefs than your typical uptight middle class American.

IME, in WE the "private" nature grew out of a sorta laissez faire maturity that most Europeans have about nearly every aspect of their lives, while willing to have serious and heated debate without hurt feelings. While Americans have a more tentative and anxiously reticence lest they be open to any criticism and fear everyone's feelings will get hurt.

Young nation with people constantly coming and buying into the adolescent notion of its exceptionalism colors nearly every part of middle class American life.



 

[orthonorm]

Achronos,

I think you got his all wrong and proved that Americans are committed to their religion.

Consumption.
Happiness.
Comfort.

That list could go on.

Americans, especially anyone who went out on Black Friday, are quite pious.

As I have said, I find it wonderful to see more and more Catholic parishes being bought up by "high end" retailers in my area (Urban Outfitters) and former strip mall by mega churches.

It's a nice and frank demonstration of where your feet are so will heart be also.

[Ashman618]

Depends on the religion. No doubt discrimination occurs, but to the extent of what James speaks of, I don't hear much reports of those from the Balkans killing Muslims nor other countries where Orthodox/Catholic is the majority.

Tsarist Russia? Pavelić' Croatia? Franco's Spain? Fr. Tiso's Slovakia? Interwar Poland?

BTW Do you know the reason why those Puritans boarded the Mayflower?

To get to the other side? Like that damn chicken?

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