interesting list..

Least Religious Countries
Posted Aug 23rd 2007 12:15PM by Iva Skoch | http://www.gadling.com/2007/08/23/le...ous-countries/

When you travel to Europe , don't be surprised to find that many Europeans don't believe in God. I have even witnessed some alcohol-infused conversations between Americans and Europeans that almost ended in fist fights over His/Her existence. When you travel to the following countries, you might want to pick a less controversial topic of conversation...umm, maybe George W?

Here is the Top 10 least religious countries in the world:

1. Sweden (up to 85% non-believer, atheist, agnostic)
2. Vietnam
3. Denmark
4. Norway
5. Japan
6. Czech Republic
7. Finland
8. France
9. South Korea
10. Estonia (up to 49% non-believer, atheist, agnostic)

The one that surprised me was Israel, ranking 19th, with up to 37% claiming to be non-believer, atheist, agnostic. Compare that with the US, ranking 44th, with 3-9% non-believers, atheists, agnostics. (I think I have met them all on the streets of New York City , too.)

The survey concluded that "high levels of organic atheism are strongly correlated with high levels of societal health, such as low homicide rates, low poverty rates, low infant mortality rates, and low illiteracy rates, as well as high levels of educational attainment, per capita income, and gender equality. Most nations characterized by high degrees of individual and societal security have the highest rates of organic atheism, and conversely, nations characterized by low degrees of individual and societal security have the lowest rates of organic atheism. In some societies, particularly Europe , atheism is growing. However, throughout much of the world – particularly nations with high birth rates – atheism is barely discernable."

Well, I'm Catholic and I know that the Good Lord is there and watching me. I guess that means I wont see as many Swedish Blond Snow Bunnies in the afterlife.

Where's North Korea and Cuba?

LOL

Originally Posted by 5.56X45mm

Well, I'm Catholic and I know that the Good Lord is there and watching me. I guess that means I wont see as many Swedish Blond Snow Bunnies in the afterlife.

Well its an interesting choice an eternity with you or the Swedish Bikini Team... well at least I will be warm.

:P

Originally Posted by phoenix80

Where's North Korea and Cuba?

LOL

Well ones crappy mountain range near China and the other is a small island off the coast of Florida but thats not important right now.

Oh and North Korea is 33rd on the list and Cuba is 49th.

It's unbelieveable....

Originally Posted by phoenix80

It's unbelieveable....

I think their conclusions are a little iffy and I am not sure that combining non-believers with agnostics is a very accurate method after all agnostics don't rule out there being a god.

But I will refrain from saying that its unbelievable until I have read more of it.

Originally Posted by MontyB

I think their conclusions are a little iffy and I am not sure that combining non-believers with agnostics is a very accurate method after all agnostics don't rule out there being a god.

But I will refrain from saying that its unbelievable until I have read more of it.

And.... here in the USA I see half filled and some near empty Chruch Parking Lots on Sunday.... a lot of them.

Asking someone on the Phone if they believe in a god or if they consider themselves "religious" is different than having people who follow the Tenets of the Religion.

Originally Posted by Gator

And.... here in the USA I see half filled and some near empty Chruch Parking Lots on Sunday.... a lot of them.

Asking someone on the Phone if they believe in a god or if they consider themselves "religious" is different than having people who follow the Tenets of the Religion.

Very true, many who go to church every Sunday/Saturday (whatever) are more interested in being seen to be religious, whereas some of those who do not attend are actually better adherents of their chosen beliefs.

Some people just work better without supervision.

Of course you can't believe the North Korean data.
Religion is outlawed in North Korea and the only ideology they are allowed to, in fact, it is mandatory that they believe in Juche. Juche isn't just a political system. It is a religion where people practically worship Kim Jong-il as their god.
So 33% Can't be it.
North Korea should technically be at the bottom of the list with 100% official adherents.
I also believe that South Korea's data may be wrong as well. You won't find more churches per square mile than in Seoul... and practically half the country lives in the Seoul metropolitan area. South Korea is an extremely religious country. I don't like HOW they go about being religious though because any spirit of Christianity is almost all gone and it's just a social network place now where people struggle for power and make connections. Either way, there should be more official adherents.

I wouldn't really doubt Cuba's number on the list...Honestly, have you ever met any kind of Hispanic who WASN'T strictly religious?