I am Norwegian. My knowledge of the US of A is very limited. I have only seen New York, San Francisco and Charlotte, North Carolina (!). For whatever may be the reason, I felt most at home in NC. The people were all over easier to identfy with. I don't know what that says about me, but that's how it is.

I am of the impression that Americans take religion very seriously. They often seem to have strong opinions about things that none can, strictly speaking, know anything about. Norway, however, is very "atheistic" on the practical level. Religion is mostly considered unimportant - or a matter which is of the same private nature as your sexual preferences. There are of course both religious institutions and religious people, but they have little to no political influence on society.

Now... correct me if I am wrong... but is this not how things should be in a "natural" sort of context? Should we really be debating and discussing issues that are of a private and emotional nature as if they were objective phenomenons? In my point of view, the most insidious aspect of religion is the demanding of submission, that you surrender your freedom of thought and accept "faith" instead of critical thinking. This has never been accepted in the daily life of Norway and it never will be.

Whenever theists are asked to explain the point of their peculiar psychodrama, they usually explain it in terms of personal, emotional benefits. They feel meaning. They feel peace. They find harmony, friendship, social interaction and love. They gain something from their faith. That is all well and good. The problems begin when they turn it into a doctrine and seek political power. It becomes a real conflict when they seek to impose their points of view on morality and the ways to live a righteous life on those who never asked for this, much less wanted it.

I think this is something which makes a lot of Americans very angry. Nobody likes to have their neighbour's watchful eyes on them, ready to judge them and make false gossip and slanderous rumours. But that is what they do! Americans, more than any people I have seen on travels anywhere (which is quite a lot of places), seem to be obsessed with their public image in ways that are completely alien to a Norwegian way of thinking. Here, we are more of the mind that you should leave people alone so that you yourself will be left alone. Live and let live.

Relatively speaking, I think this is the reason why there are so many "whatever" atheists in Norway. They don't feel all that passionately about it simply because it's a moot point. The majority of people just don't give a damn either way. There is no "creationism". No wacked pseudo-science people who crave attention (well, actually there are SOME, but they are obscure). It is all very peaceful like that.

Which leads me to my question: I am used to nobody as much as batting an eyelid if you say you are an atheist. "Whatever!" But Americans seem to have to manouver in a much harsher climate. Any ideas on how this produces a specific "activist" type?