Why are religious believers so much more in USA than UK?

[Vivaldi]

Why are religious believers so much more in USA than UK?

[zayndan]

Because many people fled from religious persecution from the east (Europe, the Papacy) and made their home in the USA, where they found freedom to serve God. That's why USA was the land of the freedom. That's why there are many protestant churches in USA and the western world

[Vivaldi]

According to a research, 53 percent of people don't believe in religions.

This number is so much less in USA.

[Vivaldi]

I meant for UK above with 53 percent. I forgot to say UK

[slatyb]

Religious persecution drove some of the early settlers here. But from the late 17th century onward most immigrants were fleeing poverty for perceived opportunity, and they brought their religion with them -- Catholicism from southern and eastern Europe, various Protestant sects from northern Europe.

[slatyb]

That's a very interesting question. I think one reason is that the US is just much larger, allowing people to live with little contact with people of different beliefs. It's all changing now with the spread of the internet. People who had doubts now know they aren't the only one. Skepticism is contagious when it is allowed to be openly expressed.

[Vivaldi]

I think USA has always been more conservative than UK since after French Revolution.

[Vivaldi]

Could Darwin say he was an agnostic if he were living in USA instead of UK back then? America was too religious, wasn't it?

[slatyb]

I that In the mid-19th century religiosity in the US and Britain was about equal. I don't have a clear idea why Britain became largely secular decades ahead of the US. Maybe it's the insularity of much of the US.

[purplepoppy]

When America was first settled both countries had fairly religious communities. But because of size differences those in the uk were more influenced by outside views while a American ones became more isolationist echo chambers. An example of this is how witch hunts went on in America long after they ended in the u