Protestants transferred the seat of authority in religion, first from the Church and the Bible to the Bible alone, and then to the individual soul. ... Thus religion, by surrendering the outworks, has sought to preserve the citadel intact -- whether successfully or not remains to be seen.
Source: Religion and Science, 1935, by Bertrand Russell
More info.: https://russell-j.com/beginner/RS1935_01-070.HTM
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The United States is a multi-ethnic country with great religious diversity, but historically and culturally, Protestantism has been dominant. In particular, the religious spirit of the early immigrants (such as the Puritans) and of the westward expansion has left a deep imprint on American values even today.
Politically, evangelical Christians wield significant influence. Although they represent about 20% of the U.S. population, their high voter turnout has given them disproportionate weight, and they have shown particularly strong support for Donald Trump.
We cannot know what Trump truly believes, but he does not appear to be a man of evangelical faith. One would think that evangelical Christians themselves would notice this, yet many of them continue to support him.
Some even regard him as a figure "chosen by God" and offer him fervent support. Many Democratic supporters today tend to be liberal, highly educated, and affluent -- characteristics that have provoked a backlash among certain groups of Americans.
Thus, it seems that religion in the U.S. is often used not so much as a matter of personal faith, but rather as a tool in what some have called the "culture war" or even a kind of "economic war."
In any case, as many Japanese people might sense, America's intense religiosity has sometimes contributed to global instability. As a close ally, Japan may do well not to follow the U.S. too blindly.
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