Message from American to Europeans

[Shell B]

I can move but the problem is that I really just want to connect with my family.

Well, I would just connect with them on other things. I have sisters that think vastly differently than I do. We find other ways to related to each other.

Shell B, your face is hot. It is a pain in the ass when I'm trying to type a reply.

Try putting post-it notes on your screen.

[infamouscheater]

Here in Canada, despite all the churches, I find people that are willing to talk about their religion if they are at all religious. I read the god delusion and found out that most believe in evolution too. I was almost hoping for some kind of fight, but. Nothing.( the reason I was lookin for a fight is because when I was very young our house burned down and we turned to the church which we went to. They turned us away away saying they do not do charity. My dad, my mom, me and my seven brothers and sisters. Our family has a bitter resentment for all church now)

[mrlmichael]

Hello,

I am new to the board here, but let me give you a little insight on what living in Europe is like for an American.

I am from Michigan, but lived in Germany for two years and have now lived in Belgium for two. While I will say that Atheism is generally more accepted here, I don't see a huge difference. However, again, I am from Michigan, by your post I can only assume you are from the south, which is an entirely different animal.

Aside from that there are many other things to contend with here when it comes to religion. In the bigger cities you will find thousands upon thousands of immigrants, mainly from the middle east. The locals are not very tolerant of them and it gets a little weird. While I am not a racist or discriminate against people of religion I will say it is somewhat annoying having this constant reminder of religion all around me. There are Muslims in the States, but not nearly as many as here. So while wondering around busy city areas, you are constantly around religious people. The difference here is that people here, like Muslims and Orthodox Jews where their religion on their body. They dress different, they act different. While in the States you don't really run into that constant reminder as much, although chances are the person next to you in line at the gas station in the states is a Christian, you most likely can't tell by looking at them.

The immigrants here have also made it into a messy political situation where they are trying to push their way of life on the Europeans, at least that is the way the locals see it.

Lastly, it is kind of unrelated, but I would advise against moving to Europe simply for Economic reasons. Not only are your taxes sky high for reasons you probably won't notice even benefiting you, the Eurozone is falling apart. I don't know if you follow the news over here about the debt crisis but it makes the the debt debate going on in the States look like a walk in the park. The entire currency zone is on the brink of collapse and a lot of economist are predicting a poorer near term future for Europe as a whole. Although I will say, if you must move to Europe, try to move to Switzerland.

[Gambit]

Hello,

I am new to the board here, but let me give you a little insight on what living in Europe is like for an American.

I am from Michigan, but lived in Germany for two years and have now lived in Belgium for two. While I will say that Atheism is generally more accepted here, I don't see a huge difference. However, again, I am from Michigan, by your post I can only assume you are from the south, which is an entirely different animal.

Aside from that there are many other things to contend with here when it comes to religion. In the bigger cities you will find thousands upon thousands of immigrants, mainly from the middle east. The locals are not very tolerant of them and it gets a little weird. While I am not a racist or discriminate against people of religion I will say it is somewhat annoying having this constant reminder of religion all around me. There are Muslims in the States, but not nearly as many as here. So while wondering around busy city areas, you are constantly around religious people. The difference here is that people here, like Muslims and Orthodox Jews where their religion on their body. They dress different, they act different. While in the States you don't really run into that constant reminder as much, although chances are the person next to you in line at the gas station in the states is a Christian, you most likely can't tell by looking at them.

The immigrants here have also made it into a messy political situation where they are trying to push their way of life on the Europeans, at least that is the way the locals see it.

Lastly, it is kind of unrelated, but I would advise against moving to Europe simply for Economic reasons. Not only are your taxes sky high for reasons you probably won't notice even benefiting you, the Eurozone is falling apart. I don't know if you follow the news over here about the debt crisis but it makes the the debt debate going on in the States look like a walk in the park. The entire currency zone is on the brink of collapse and a lot of economist are predicting a poorer near term future for Europe as a whole. Although I will say, if you must move to Europe, try to move to Switzerland.

I'm kind of leaning towards disagreeing with you, in regards to the affects of the debt crisis. Maybe it is the countries you have been to, however, in the UK I think the situation is better than in the U.S. I was amazed at the amount of businesses with 'closing down' signs in both Texas and Florida, last time I was there. I'm talking 10 minutes from the Alamo and a half hour's drive away from Disney. As for in your face religion, the U.S. wins hands down, in comparison to the U.K.

Then again, I feel that I can't really commit to that being totally true either. For instance, if you go onto the Shankill Road in Belfast wearing rosary beads, you might not come out again. Similarly, if you go onto the Falls Road declaring you are a Protestant, the same may apply. If you go to either and say you are an atheist, you'll likely be asked to clarify whether you are a Catholic or Protestant atheist. Ours is more to do with politics, however, the religious divisions are still there.

[mrlmichael]

The U.K will be in a better position to handle the economic crisis because they are not tied to the doomed currency, but they are not going to have an easy go of it either.

As for the Religious aspects of the U.K., I am not as familiar with that as I am with mainland Europe(where I have spent the majority of my time living and travelling). It may be better than the U.S. but I cannot speak to that really, but I would not say that mainland Europe makes me feel any better than the U.S. in regards to in your face religion. Of course, this all comes with the caveat that I am from the Northern U.S. I know the south is a different animal.

[Tobie]

What Darwinian said is true pretty much everywhere I've been in the UK; religion is a much more laid back affair than it seems in the US. Most people go to church for social reasons rather than religious reasons. Atheism and agnosticism is a lot higher occurrence in teenagers as well; most churchgoers are pensioners or fairly strict christians. Religion, however, has a higher involvement in the state here, with 20+ "lords spiritual" that get an automatic seat in government.

[Ace Otana]

I am curious to know what Europeans think about this. American atheists, I know many of you feel my pain, and your feedback is appreciated, but I am really hoping for some Europeans to respond.

I'm in England.
Over here I hardly ever hear about religion. It's a rare subject. I only ever hear about it on here. Almost my entire family are atheists. I think only 3 are religious, the rest are secular.
When I walk up town, religion never comes up. My work mates, pretty much all of them are atheists and not one ever talks about religion. It's an old and pathetic thing that's just not worth mentioning. Perhaps to have a laugh but it's generally something we barely ever speak of.
Some schools do try to press kids into religion, I remember being told to sing religious songs when I was very young. But they can't do fuck all if you refuse. Other than that it's not really a problem.

The only time I may hear of religion is when religious nut jobs knock on my door (and that is very rare) and on TV when some kind of religious ceremony is on, and that's not very often either.
My neighbours aren't religious, my school friends aren't religious, my work mates aren't religious, my family aren't religious and religion in general has no influence here. Even in the military you can come out as an atheist and there'd have no problem.
The religious over here for the most part couldn't give a shit if you believed or not. Seriously! Christians and the like tend to be apatheist. Just don't care. You're free to think what you want.
You can wear an atheist t-shirt and get nothing but smiles from random people. You could yell out "I'm an atheist" and you'll get "me too!" in return.

When I heard about all the problems you've got over there, I was really fucking shocked. Seriously, come over here. Religious fucktards have no power here.

---

Shell B, your face is hot. It is a pain in the ass when I'm trying to type a reply.

You to huh?
She's pwetty, damn Tiberius is lucky.

[Shell B]

Aw, Ace. *blushing*

[Tiberius]

Luck has nothing to do with it, Ace. It's all British charm coupled with a British cock.

[Minimalist]

I can move but the problem is that I really just want to connect with my family.

Go back, re-read your OP, then consider this joke,

A man is walking along the beach when he trips over something in the sand.

Upon examination, he sees that it's a genie's lamp. He eagerly rubs the lamp and out pops a genie who says, "I am the genie of the lamp. I have been trapped in this lamp for 1,000 years. For setting me free I will grant you one wish."

The man thought and thought. Finally, he pulled out a map and said, "It's been my goal in life to do something for mankind for which everyone else will remember me. You see this region here on the map? It's called the Middle East and it's a very violent region. I realize I could wish for a lot of money, or fame, but I'd like to use this wish for peace in the Middle East."

The genie looked disappointed. He said, "I'm sorry sir, but I can't grant that wish. The people of that region have been fighting for thousands of years. The wars go back many, many generations. The religious battles and opinions run rampant in that area. Boundary disputes are constantly occurring. Violence and hatred is too far engrained into this part of the world for even one of my wishes to do any good.

I'm sorry, but I just can't do that. Have you another wish?"

"Well," said the man. "If I can't do that for mankind, perhaps I can do this for men. I would like to understand how women work. What makes them laugh? What makes them cry? What affects their emotions? How do I make them happy? Why do they do the things they do? I wish I could fully understand women."

The genie replied, "let me see that map again."

You cannot connect with that bunch. You can only frustrate yourself. There is a point where the intelligent person cannot dumb it down enough to find common ground with them.