The rationalization we give to the beginning and purpose of life is accountable to be one of the most important judgments (or series of judgments) we are ever probable to make. On a surface level, our eagerness or lack of enthusiasm to approve a particular religion is no more momentous than our support or condemnation of any other cause or party. Nevertheless religion stirs the human heart in a most extreme way. For those who qualm or reject the existence of God, such feelings may well emerge preposterous. It has been argued, nevertheless, that the importance of religion lies in the meaning it confers upon life and death, sex, family, mind and body. The importance we attach to religion depends to a great extent upon our ideological convictions. Religious views have social power; they can inspire, punish, coerce, unite and divide communities. This applies both locally and on a global scale.
America is an extremely spiritual country, and has been since its initial days. Approximately every religion in the world has adherents or organized institutions in the United States. American religious institutions are large, powerful and influential in social and political life. Even Americans who are members of no established religion are apt to believe in God. According to a Gallup opinion survey, nearly all Americans, 98% of them, do, compared to 84% in Switzerland, 73% in France and 60% in Sweden. Americans furthermore tend to believe in life after death: 73% compared to 50% in Switzerland and only 38% in Great Britain. About 60% of Americans are members of a church, synagogue or other religious group, though many more identify with various religions because of their birth or upbringing. About 40% of Americans attend religious services regularly, compared to only 20% in Great Britain. Native American Religions, beliefs, behaviors.........
