Pressing questions include the reasons, whether theistic or non-theistic, that the exceptionally wealthy U.S. is so inefficient that it is experiencing a much higher degree of societal distress than are less religious, less wealthy prosperous democracies. Conversely, how do the latter achieve superior societal health while having little in the way of the religious values or institutions? There is evidence that within the U.S. strong disparities in religious belief versus acceptance of evolution are correlated with similarly varying rates of societal dysfunction, the strongly theistic, anti-evolution south and mid-west having markedly worse homicide, mortality, STD, youth pregnancy, marital and related problems than the northeast where societal conditions, secularization, and acceptance of evolution approach European norms (Aral and Holmes; Beeghley, Doyle, 2002). It is the responsibility of the research community to address controversial issues and provide the information that the citizens of democracies need to chart their future courses.
Recently reading statements of the USA's founders--as seperate from the "discoverers" of North America--and statements of the founders of Mormonism, I found it awesome that both parties subscribed so earnestly to "manifest destiny". (Mormons, double-barrelled, in the USA AND themselves!)
Even more amazing, the majority of US leaders continue to do so. (Some more than others?) IMSCO, there is little hope for the US of A as long as they live such a fantasy. In denial of the falacies congruent with such arrogance and national narcissism upon which, generally speaking, USA's socio-political culture exists, they are not only deteriorating socially and morally themselves, but are a threat (albeit not the only one) to our shared world.
(Last night--Wed. Sept, 3--I watched the Rep. VP canditate spectacale. Foot-ball mentality in the extreme, at least in my opinion. An unbelievable nonsense-orgy of pubescent swoonism... From this hoopla one is supposed to judge the qualities of "Leadership"??? Really folks, how?? Granted, Canada, indulges the same festivities--2 wrongs don't make a right :-)
The use of the term, "other Democracies..." in the article sited by Marg, might jab some US citizens & leaders to acknowledge there are other Democracies, & even some non-Democracies, that rank higher on the scale of social developement than do they. (USA)
As competing sectarianism gives way to enlightened cooperating secularism, the world will evolve in spite of repressive religious dictates that now fall upon a better educated world citizenry.
The fear of the Religious Right that this will result in debaucheries of every kind is fantasy. Just look around at our advancements. They were-not/are-not inspired by Evil-spirits but by persons morally applying the laws of science.
That there is "Evil" in the world is not a religious issue, it is a social challenge. The one that was never solved by public beheadings/ hangings; the village centred "stock" or lashes in the wood-sheds; dunking to determine innocense or guilt; confession boxes; disfellowships/excommunications, etc etc...
I respectfully suggest when exposed to such ideas and attitudes expressed in the writings of the likes of Sager--(?) Correction: Prager re continued adherance to "old-time-religion", study it out in your own mind as an indepent person, and ask, "why didn't those religiously impossed relics, listed above, work?" Because there was no "God" behind them!!!
Why can we depend on the sciences???? Time tested and proven dependable... The things that "God" (by any name--Science ;-) IS behind... Roger
(Edited to correct & clarify.)