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In article <E1CQ6rZ-0001VN-00@newt.nhm.ac.uk>, "Paul Loubere"
<T60PWL1@wpo.cso.niu.edu> wrote:
> The secular states of modern Europe do not understand the
> fundamentalism of
> the American electorate.
>
Indeed. And this is a two-way street (with traffic driving on
the left, as is proper <G>). I suspect that many Americans little
realise how irrelevant religion seems to many people in the Old World.
I was thinking about the original poster's concerns, and trying
to think how on Earth this could affect me. I then did a quick mental
count up of the various people who I know : I know a grand total of one
(1) person who (claims) that she goes to church regularly, and with her
husband being a card-carrying member of the Communist Party and an
avowed (if not a *considered*) atheist, I take care to steer clear of
any religious or spiritual topics when I meet them. I know 3 people who
*I think* are muslims. I know probably of the order of a thousand
people over-all, most of whom make no reference to religion in their
interaction with me, or in their daily life. Why would they? (I just
remembered that member of my caving club is a religious - I *think he
mentioned being a christian - or did I spot some paraphernalia when we
were "down the hole" - can't remember. So that's doubled the count of
christians.)
Now, I do have very distinct views on religion - I think Dawkins
is a little too gentle on them, so possibly there are a number of
people who keep their handicaps quiet when I'm around - but I don't
think I'm *particularly* unusual. Apparently "sub-tropical Aberdeen" is
due to receive another visitation from some American evangelists who
have decided that we're the "most ungodly city in Britain" (on what
delusional basis I neither know nor care). Well, that will be greeted
with indifference by the man in the street (and if they use the same
offices they did last time, the boys and girls in the red light
district will be getting earache and "business". Well, the Americans
paid their hotel (and brothel) fees on time, so they'll be welcomed
with open tills. Seems they don't pay their domain registration fees
though - their enduring ripples on the consciousness of Britain can be
found at http://www.scottishmediamonitor.com/articles2.cfm?ID=116,
about half way down the page. ... ah, I actually find that the
Americans *were* here in July and August. Clearly they made even less
impression this time around.
Anyway, my point is this : European people may well have little
understanding of the religious fundamentalism of America; but equally
there are obviously Americans, in non-trivial quantities, who simply
fail to understand European secularism. And probably both groups don't
care what the others think of them.
--
Aidan Karley,
Aberdeen, Scotland,
Location: 57°10'11" N, 02°08'43" W (sub-tropical Aberdeen), 0.021233
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