Comments on: Poll: Secularism In The UK & USA

By: Cale

Cale — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:38:12 +0000

I believe things are less secular here in the US because, despite the first amendment, laws are still passed in this country based on religious doctrine. For example, the ban on funding for embryonic stem cell research and the ban of gay marriage. I’ve never been to England though, so things may be crazier over there.

By: Pedro Timóteo

Pedro Timóteo — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 10:35:45 +0000

Oh, and our previous president (which served his two terms) was an atheist, and that was never an issue, he won both elections easily. Granted, here in Portugal the president is mostly a ceremonial figure, but do you imagine such a thing happening in the US?

Now, I don’t know how secular the UK is compared to Portugal, but, state religion aside, I’d say it’s more secular than the US, because people seem to be mostly free from religion (which is NOT the same as “mostly not-religious”, which is related to atheism, not secularism).

By: Pedro Timóteo

Pedro Timóteo — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 10:09:24 +0000

I think it really depends on what you mean by “secular nation”. I don’t agree that it all depends on, say, having a state religion. For instance, Portugal has one (Catholicism) and yet I’d say we’re much more secular than the US. Our money doesn’t have religious sayings, there are no “10 commandments in court rooms”, school prayer, and evolution / creationism controversies, and the religious are mostly older people who go to church on Sunday.

By: Adrian Hayter

Adrian Hayter — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:39:56 +0000

@Sisyphus Fragment

Yet we define secularism by how the country is run, not how it presents itself!

By: Sisyphus Fragment

Sisyphus Fragment — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 05:01:54 +0000

The USA wears a hat that says “I’m secular.” while standing in a church holding a cross and smoking crack with a gay prostitute. The UK, on the other hand, is wearing a shirt that says “I’m a Christian Nation.” while holding an autographed copy of The God Delusion.