The color-coded legend indicates varying degrees of certainty, with darker colors representing higher percentages and lighter colors representing lower percentages.
The Percentage of Population “Absolutely Certain” God Exists
- 70%-82% in Blue
- 50%-69% in Purple
- 30%-49% in Orange
- 10%-29% in Yellow
USA Source: 2014 U.S. Religious Landscape Study, Pew Research Center Link to Source Accessed 10 Oct. 2020
Europe Source: Pew Research Center 2014-2017 Data Link to Source Accessed 10 Oct. 2020
Key Observations:
- USA: The southern states tend to have a higher percentage of the population that is absolutely certain of God’s existence, especially compared to northeastern states.
- Europe: There is a stark contrast between Eastern Europe and Western/Northern Europe, with Eastern European countries especially in the Balkans showing higher levels of certainty compared to the generally lower levels in Western and Northern Europe.
Why is the US so much more religious than Europe?
The United States tends to be more religious than Europe for several reasons, encompassing historical, cultural, social, and institutional factors. Here are some key reasons:
Historical Factors:
- Founding Ideals: The U.S. was founded in part by groups seeking religious freedom, such as the Pilgrims and Puritans. These groups established a tradition of religious practice and expression that remains strong.
- Great Awakenings: Periodic religious revivals in the U.S., such as the Great Awakenings in the 18th and 19th centuries, significantly bolstered religious fervor and the establishment of new denominations.
Cultural Factors:
- Diverse Religious Landscape: The U.S. has a diverse and competitive religious marketplace, with many denominations and faiths actively seeking converts and participation, encouraging a more vibrant religious culture.
- Civic Religion: Religion plays a role in American public life and identity. Phrases like “In God We Trust” and practices like swearing in public officials on a Bible reinforce the cultural norm of religiosity.
Social Factors:
- Community and Social Networks: In many parts of the U.S., religious institutions are central to community life and provide social services, fostering a strong communal identity around religious participation.
- Social Expectations: In some regions, especially the South and Midwest, there are strong social expectations to participate in religious activities, which can perpetuate higher levels of religious adherence.
Institutional Factors:
- Separation of Church and State: The U.S. constitutionally mandates the separation of church and state, which paradoxically allows for a flourishing of diverse religious practices without state interference, unlike some European countries where state churches may exist (e.g. The Church of England).
- Religious Freedom: The strong emphasis on religious freedom allows for the proliferation and active engagement of religious groups, fostering a vibrant religious life.
European Context:
- Secularization: Europe has undergone significant secularization, particularly since the Enlightenment, reducing the role of religion in public and private life.
- State Churches: In some European countries, the existence of state churches can lead to lower levels of active religious engagement among the population, as religious affiliation can be more nominal.
- Historical Conflicts: Europe’s history of religious wars and conflicts, such as the Thirty Years’ War, has led to a more cautious and sometimes skeptical view of organized religion.
- Modernization: Higher levels of modernization, urbanization, and education in many European countries are associated with lower levels of religious belief and practice.
Why do you think there’s such a difference? Please leave your comments below:
Y.D. Robinson says
Northern Ireland is just about the most religious part of Western or Northern Europe, something that’s not shown on the map.
Eric says
Well, that deep blue colour in the USA coresponds also to the least educated part of ‘merica.
It is no surprise that where education lacks people are more likeley to believe religious poppycock. On top of that, there is a real anti-intellectual/anti-education current that has run through its history from the very beginning.
Wayne Wager says
I served as clergy on a major secular campus for 30 years. When we would say “America was founded as a Christian nation”, people would go crazy disagreeing with us. It was better if we said, “The founders of the colonies that became the United States were strongly Christian in their world view.” Looking at your maps it’s pretty clear to see that Christian religion substantial component to the making of America. But it’s religious extremism melded together with academic ignorance they kept black people in slavery till 1863. And this ignorance is alive today in what is called Christian nationalism, which I believe is a sub-Christian movement. I am a conservative evangelical the wants to make the Kingdom of God and the Great Commission, great again.