Religion in the United States and in England

Résumé du document

The United States is an unusual country as far as religion is concerned. Firstly, as opposed to all the industrialized countries in which church affiliation is declining, the US remains a very religious nation. Nine Americans out of ten say they believe in God and 40% go to church regularly. There is no official religion in the US. The First Amendment to the Constitution prohibits the establishment of a national religion and protects citizens' right to choose their religion. The separation of Church and State prevents the government from favoring any religion. Thus religious freedom is guaranteed. All creeds are welcome on the new continent. The country now represents all major religions such as Protestantism with over 200 denominations, Catholicism, Judaism, and Islam, to name a few. One paradox is that in spite of the separation of Church and State, the American society is pervaded by religion. Americans see themselves as the chosen people to create a unique model of society on earth. Their national motto is "One Nation under God".

Extraits

[...] It is made of three Houses: the Houses of Bishops, the House of Clergy, the House of Laity. In 1988, the General Synod voted to proceed with legislation allowing the ordination of women. The first ordinations of women as priests took place in 1994, which revived old divisions within the Church. The Church of Scotland is the state Church for Scotland. Like its English counterpart, it was set up in the 16th century. It was promoted by the nobility and the gentry. [...]

[...] Religion in the United States and in England Religion in the United States Background The United States is an unusual country as far as religion is concerned. First, as opposed to all the industrialized countries in which church affiliation is declining, the US remains a very religious nation. Nine Americans out of ten say they believe in God and 40% go to church regularly. There is no official religion in the US. The 1st Amendment to the Constitution prohibits the establishment of a national religion and protects citizens' right to choose their religion. [...]

[...] Despite its connection with the state, the established church in England does not enjoy a monopoly. The Anglicans (whose vast majority belongs to the Church of England, yet it must be remembered that there are also Anglicans in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) account for only about a third of all members of Christian churches in the UK. Other Christian Churches include Roman Catholics as well as Protestant denominations, the most significant of which are the Methodists, the Baptists, and the United Reformed Church. [...]

[...] They believe that by registering the existence of all human beings who have lived on this planet they can ensure the salvation of the entire human race. They are famous for their strict way of life: they don't drink, don't smoke, don't take drugs and do not engage in sexual relations outside marriage. The Quakers sect was founded in the 17th century by an English preacher, George Fox. They are mostly found in Pennsylvania. They preach simplicity, tolerance, equality and pacifism. There are about 120,000 members. The US counts between 700 and 2000 sects. [...]

[...] Other religions: The settlement of the Jews in England began in the 11th century. The Jewish community in Britain is now 350,000 strong, the second largest in Europe. As early as 1890, the arrival of Muslims is due to the needs of the British economy after the demise of the Empire. There are 3,000 mosques in Britain. Legally speaking, Islam has not yet reached the status of the Christian and Jewish faiths. Many other religions are present in Britain: for instance Britain hosts about 400,000 Hindus and 600,000 Sikhs. [...]