Least Religious Countries

[|Zach|]

Here is the Top 10 least religious countries in the world:

1. Sweden (up to 85% non-believer, atheist, agnostic)
2. Vietnam
3. Denmark
4. Norway
5. Japan
6. Czech Republic
7. Finland
8. France
9. South Korea
10. Estonia (up to 49% non-believer, atheist, agnostic)

The one that surprised me was Israel, ranking 19th, with up to 37% claiming to be non-believer, atheist, agnostic. Compare that with the US, ranking 44th, with 3-9% non-believers, atheists, agnostics. (I think I have met them all on the streets of New York City , too.)

The survey concluded that "high levels of organic atheism are strongly correlated with high levels of societal health, such as low homicide rates, low poverty rates, low infant mortality rates, and low illiteracy rates, as well as high levels of educational attainment, per capita income, and gender equality. Most nations characterized by high degrees of individual and societal security have the highest rates of organic atheism, and conversely, nations characterized by low degrees of individual and societal security have the lowest rates of organic atheism. In some societies, particularly Europe , atheism is growing. However, throughout much of the world – particularly nations with high birth rates – atheism is barely discernable."

http://www.gadling.com/2007/08/23/le...ous-countries/

[ClevelandBronco]

Originally Posted by Psyko Tek

where's china
aren't communists atheist?

Communist governments have traditionally been formally atheistic, but they've often substituted worship of the dictator for worship of the Creator. That was true especially in China when it was ruled by Mao.

[mylittlepony]

I must admit that coming from Sweden I am pretty lost in any religious discussion. Its completly non existent in everyday life over here. The only times I've actually been in churches was in christmas mass for school. In religious studies we got to chose one religion to do a project on and that was about it. I got assigned to confusianism so everything else is sort of a blur to me. Most I know about religion is just what I've picked up when abroad and on the internet. I think as a religious person in Sweden you can maintain your faith without people thinking about it more then twice. If you start to preach or try to convert people against them specifically asking you I think alot of people would frown. Also because we dont have any real statebound religion it sets up kind of situations that might sound wierd to americans. Sweden is notoriously pro palestine, yet Jews as a Swedish religious group are very well liked.


Also I can only see one thing that jumps at me from that list is that its all the biggest suicide countries aswell. The scandinavians have been battling Japan for the top spot for quite some time now.

[jidar]

the US ranks low because our educational system sucks.

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by ClevelandBronco

Speaking as an American and as a practicing Christian (I'm hoping to get really good at it some day, so I keep practicing), why didn't you post this in DC?

You must have had a jAZ moment.

IMO, some of the best minds I've ever known don't know God. On the other hand, some do.

Since our nation enjoys a secular governmental structure based upon Judeo-Christian ideals, I'm not sure what went wrong with us.

Maybe it's guys like me. Maybe it's guys like you.

Hard to say.

Dang I am agreeing with a Donkey fan.

[KCChiefsMan]

I believe, but I hate 90% of church people and I don't see myself going to church ever again. My parents got into church when I was in my teens, so they never had a chance to truly brain wash me like they do to kids

[Simplex3]

Originally Posted by Mecca

It was more or less this.....

The survey concluded that "high levels of organic atheism are strongly correlated with high levels of societal health, such as low homicide rates, low poverty rates, low infant mortality rates, and low illiteracy rates, as well as high levels of educational attainment, per capita income, and gender equality.

Which basically says people who live in bad areas, see bad shit, deal with crime or aren't educated are the ones who are more likely to believe.

Correlation and causation are two entirely different things. Smart people understand the difference.

[Simplex3]

Originally Posted by Psyko Tek

where's china
aren't communists atheist?

One of the generally accepted steps to any type of dominant state govt. is to remove religion. It's viewed as competition for the loyalty of the masses.

[tiptap]

And such argument would technically be confusing correlation with causation. It may be true for say China but not true for Japan or Sweden.

[DenverChief]

Originally Posted by Mr. Kotter

The point remains:...you aspire for Vietnamese/Czech/French territory?

What about Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Japan?

[DenverChief]

Originally Posted by ClevelandBronco

Communist governments have traditionally been formally atheistic, but they've often substituted worship of the dictator for worship of the Creator. That was true especially in China when it was ruled by Mao.

China has state approved religions and only a couple...one is Catholicism that are tightly controlled and then others that are banned completely -- Falun-Gong , Bon

[Simplex3]

Originally Posted by DenverChief

China has state approved religions and only a couple...one is Catholicism that are tightly controlled and then others that are banned completely -- Falun-Gong , Bon

They also just recently told everyone you can't be reincarnated without prior govt. approval.

[HonestChieffan]

1, 3 4, and 7 have free health care and Tax rates in the mid 70's.

think about it

[Ultra Peanut]

MAY THE GOOD LORD SMITE THEM ALL

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by DenverChief

What about Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Japan?

They got nothing on us, as far as I'm concerned--especially if you stay away from key blighted neighborhoods of large urban areas.

[Simplex3]

Sweden apparently has it all over England:

http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=24850