What is this obsession with bible in USA

[Giurza]

as the title says.... it has nothing to do with insulting or offense... I'm just VERY interested in knowing why americans are so obsessed by the bible, why do they quote bible on every corner... is there any background to that or is it an overreacted religious piety?
me, myself beeing a catholic, could never quote a single passsage from bible, but I don't concider that a some sort of disadvatage to my faith... can we have a small but CIVILISED discussion on this matter? I am truelly confused byt this quoting of the bible :sign0163:

[Caelius]

Read up on the history of the Puritans and you'll be going in the right direction.

[Seleukos]

Moved.

[boofhead]

Just be thankful that particular superpower doesn't have people preaching the Koran on every corner and have dozens of tele-imams ramming their doctrine down the country's throat!

[Richard the Lionheart]

as the title says.... it has nothing to do with insulting or offense... I'm just VERY interested in knowing why americans are so obsessed by the bible, why do they quote bible on every corner... is there any background to that or is it an overreacted religious piety?
me, myself beeing a catholic, could never quote a single passsage from bible, but I don't concider that a some sort of disadvatage to my faith... can we have a small but CIVILISED discussion on this matter? I am truelly confused byt this quoting of the bible :sign0163:

I'm not quite sure what you mean. I really don't see too many people in real life constantly quoting the Bible. Nontheless, you must remember that the United States is over 80% Christian.

Just be thankful that particular superpower doesn't have people preaching the Koran on every corner and have dozens of tele-imams ramming their doctrine down the country's throat!

That's not very nice.

[Black Francis]

As already stated, its because the USA has rather puritanical Christian origins and take the Bible (or their versions of it as much was chainged during translation) literally....

[Last Roman]

What is this obsession with bible in USA

Got me, guess it has something to do with the Puritan Pilgrims. Thanks for nothing Britain!

[Eric]

Yeah, they do take the Bible literally. Which is foolish, the Bible in it's very nature is full of allegory and different meanings. It may say that Eve ate the apple, but 'The Apple' can be a metaphor for all sorts of things, sex, drugs, whatever. But yeah, lots of Americans take the Bible literally, even the parts that contradict the other the parts.

[Sétanta]

Yeah, they do take the Bible literally. Which is foolish, the Bible in it's very nature is full of allegory and different meanings. It may say that Eve ate the apple, but 'The Apple' can be a metaphor for all sorts of things, sex, drugs, whatever. But yeah, lots of Americans take the Bible literally, even the parts that contradict the other the parts.

You mean heretical Protestant nut-jobs do.

:happy0144

[LegionnaireX]

I live in the states and have spent a lot of time in the South and I haven't come across your so called obsession with the bible. I think you might be referring to the stereotypical bible toting southerner, which don't exist in large quantities in real life.

[Katrina]

Living in the USA, I too have trouble noting a common trend amongst Americans and the Bible. I suppose, however, I could see what you are saying, and in that matter, I would have to say that it would be because there are many of the Christian population that are not on a firm base with what their religion entails and what they beleive there religion is meant to be. The bible, being one common source of the the origin of the religion, is commonly used as a reason for...er...*cough*common-day-heretical-protestants*cough* to show they are a devout Christian. They beleive the bible is their source to God, and they feel they are at their religious best while living with the Bible. Which, yes, it could be. However, I find many people these days becoming lukewarm about their devoutness for God. Just a common theme I see, that is. Besides that, I do not see too much of what you are saying? More information?

[mrme]

I live in the states and have spent a lot of time in the South and I haven't come across your so called obsession with the bible. I think you might be referring to the stereotypical bible toting southerner, which don't exist in large quantities in real life.

Step 1: Open front door
Step 2: Open your eyes, and clean your ears
:tongue002

[LegionnaireX]

Step 1: Open front door
Step 2: Open your eyes, and clean your ears
:tongue002

And just where might you live that would give you such overwhelming authority to tell me what I see and hear?

It is true that there are a lot of Christians in the United States. After all, it started out pretty much as a 100% Christian nation. There are many churches and lots of church services on tv on Sunday morning. But as for the idea that every American carries around bibles reciting their favorite verses is a ridiculous stereotype, plain and simple.

[Oldgamer]

You mean heretical Protestant nut-jobs do.

:happy0144

Statements like this don't endear the RCC to most non-Catholics. Speaking as one of the "heretical Protestant nut-jobs", there's more that unites Catholics and non-Catholics, from a theological standpoint, than disunites them. I would also suggest a reading of the decisions of Vatican II, in which the RCC departed from its past of regarding us as "heretical".

[PatWest]

The evangelical's in America have learned how to make extensive use of the media, especially television. They are the ones you hear quoting the bible most of the time. Thats why it seems like we Americans are so obsessed with the bible. The average American doesn't attend church regularly and they quote the bible even less.

[Blokhoofd67]

Having never been to America I don't really have a right of speech, or so to say, but I tend to agree with the topic creator. On TV, the internet, etc. the Americans are all a lot of more Christian and politically correct - thought they tend to call it Family Virtues or something like that. The fact that your president is an orthodox right-wing idio----intellectual doesn't help either. Neither does having the death penalty still allowed - the only political party in Holland which advocates the death sentence, is, of course, the most orthodox christian one. The gay-hatred in the US seems also to be more appearant than in Europe. Also, in some games, like Imperial Glory, the blood is removed and the language adapted for the US versions.
Silly puritans..why don't them Brittish send normal people anyway? The criminals in Australia are doing better than the puritans in America when it comes international appreciation.

And for some reason I have this stereo type in my mind of a middle-aged mother, preaching the bible and Family Virtues everywhere, and doing everything their children become ''good Americans.'' Do these people really exist, or is that just something I got from the GTA Vice City radio?

[Last Roman]

apparently, according to a 2004 poll 61% of Americans take most of the Bible as literal. I think that is a bit high, but it depends on where they took the poll

[Shaun]

apparently, according to a 2004 poll 61% of Americans take most of the Bible as literal. I think that is a bit high, but it depends on where they took the poll

Well America is a very Christian country, so most places would probably give you a percenage very similar.

[Black Francis]

Well America is a very Christian country, so most places would probably give you a percenage very similar.

I dont think this would be the case in most European Countries (those predominantly Roman Catholic or Orthodox.... and maybe even Lutheran).
It is interesting to see that in my experience at least Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians do not "Bible Bash" (quoting scripture and taking the bible quite so literally) quite as much... it probably stems from the manner in which we celebrate our religion... that is the central importance of the Mass and the Passion of Christ around which all else is pinned.

Even my Priest (who is actually a Canon) once said that the whole of the Genisis creation myth was mostly symbolism and an "artists impression".

BTW, I am Roman Catholic.

[the Eternal Cocoon]

as the title says.... it has nothing to do with insulting or offense... I'm just VERY interested in knowing why americans are so obsessed by the bible, why do they quote bible on every corner... is there any background to that or is it an overreacted religious piety?
me, myself beeing a catholic, could never quote a single passsage from bible, but I don't concider that a some sort of disadvatage to my faith... can we have a small but CIVILISED discussion on this matter? I am truelly confused byt this quoting of the bible :sign0163:

thats becuase every year the bible belt tightens little bit more. its like fat people and mcdonalds. You eat a few burgers and then tighten up your belt so no one can your gut. Its the same thing here, but instead of burgers its science...

did that make any sense whatsoever?

Really it depends on where you live. I live in california, I hear about marijuana alot more than I hear about the bible. Down south somewhere in alabama or something it might be a diffrent deal.