As reported here earlier, a new paper, published in the Journal of Religion and Society, a publication of Creighton University's Center for the Study of Religion, reports: “Many Americans agree that their churchgoing nation is an exceptional, God-blessed, shining city on the hill that stands as an impressive example for an increasingly sceptical world." But Gregory Paul, the researcher and author of the paper, argues that "religiosity" can actually damage society, contributing to high rates of murder, sexual promiscuity, abortion and suicide.
This conclusion will come as no surprise to those who have long gnashed their teeth in frustration while listening to right-wing evangelical claims that secular liberals are weak on "values." Paul's study confirms globally what is already evident in the U.S.: When it comes to "values," if you look at facts rather than mere rhetoric, the substantially more secular blue states routinely leave the Bible Belt red states in the dust.
Murder rates? Six of the seven states with the highest 2003 homicide rates were "red" in the 2004 elections (Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, South Carolina), while the deep blue Northeastern states had murder rates well below the national average. Infant mortality rates? Highest in the South and Southwest; lowest in New England. Divorce rates? Marriages break up far more in red states than in blue. Teen pregnancy rates? The same.
In a related vein (demographic differences between "red staters" and "blue staters") see Zogby.
We shouldn't shy away from the possibility that too much religiosity may be socially dangerous. Secular, rationalist approaches to problem-solving emphasize uncertainty, evidence and perpetual reevaluation. Religious faith is inherently nonrational.
No, we shouldn't. But we should hesitate before reacting thoughtlessly. We Americans need, I believe, to stop oscillating between polar extremes of thought and of values. We need to stop careening off walls, moving from "Godless humanism" to extremist fundamentalism; from hyper-rationalism to sentimental irrationalism; from value-free science to science-free values.
Let's think and feel before we speak and act.
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