Religion In Europe And The United States

Existing survey evidence shows considerable differences between the United States and countries in Europe. In general terms Americans score higher on religious beliefs and on religious activities, and they are more positive towards mixing religion with politics, there are higher levels of religious belief and church attendance in America, and Americans have a higher level of religious tolerance than Europeans. However, surveys also indicate considerable variation among the European countries. Existing theories do not seem to be able to understand these trans-Atlantic differences. The evidence is based on very few genuine comparative surveys. This article argues that there is a need for more surveys with identical questionnaires comparing the United States and Europe to understand the differences between the two continents. Such work should include theoretical work on what is understood by religion (for instance churched and un-churched religion) and how we should interpret country or continent as independent variables (including a need to understand differences in various regions).