John asks, “Why is faith a more self-perpetuating influence in America than in Western Europe and Australia?”

One reason could be that the churches in Eurpoe and Australia, both Catholic and The Church of England, mandated for centuries that citizens hold membershipin the state sanctioned church. The U.S. came into existence for the express purpose of breaking that mold. When people are born into an established religion, it is mostly accepted rather than chosen. Consequently, it is not believed in because one sees it as truth, but rather it is like one’s nationality. “I’m Italian, of course I’m Catholic” or as I’ve heard some Americans say, “Of course I’m a Christian, I was born in a Christian nation.”

I no longer believe that faith is self-perpetuating here (US). I do not see that even in my own church. In fact, I am seeing many young people who grew up not only in the church, but also educated in Christian Schools, turning their backs on the church and God. When we assume that our children have the same faith we do we are on dangerous ground. It’s like assuming they share our other values. If we don’t actively teach those values, they may never pick up on them and are highly likely to be heavily influenced the the values of others (i.e. TV and pop culture). The baby boom generation did not share the values of their parents which sent shock waves through the WWII generation. This was the first known generation to be so rebellious. I am at the tail end of the boomers (39 forever) and while I did not personally rebel, I have a theory on why so many did. When great prosperity came to the United States after WWII, people were able to become more self-sufficient and there was less need to depend on God for one’s next meal. When I was very small, no businesses were open on Sunday. It was expected that everyone was at church. Today, there is virtually no difference between Sunday and any other day of the week. It wasn’t business owners who changed. It was the people. Now, even committed Christians think nothing of going out to lunch followed by an afternoon of shopping or watching football (myself included).

I think that the only real difference between where the US is spiritually vs the rest of the western world is just a generation or two. Once the gospel becomes institutionalized it becomes irrelevant for the majority who profess it. This is a cycle that plays itself out in culture after culture. It isn’t the organization of it so much as the assumption that salvation is self-perpetuating. It’s not, it requires a personal decision on the part of each person. I can “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8) and I can invite you taste, but I cannot taste for you.

One wonders what, if anything, was taught in Richard Dawkins home.