Christians are 'most persecuted group'

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While “outsider” religions, like Islam, are banned and persecuted, Xi might be softening on traditional religions because he thinks they can help the party.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-politics-vacuum/xi-jinping-hopes-traditional-faiths-can-fill-moral-void-in-china-sources-idUSBRE98S0GS20130929

You’re referring to an article that is from 2013. Learn more about news here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News

And it was linked from the recent article that covers the same topic:
http://harvardpolitics.com/covers/different-but-the-same/

I shared the Reuters article because it was more succinct. It is still true today.

Xi is using traditional religions to exclude foreign influences.

What is your point? Is this acceptable to you? They see religion as a threat to the state.

"upwards of 3 million Muslim Uighurs have been sent to “counter-terrorism” or “re-education” camps, where they are tortured into renouncing their religion and forced to recite state propaganda" - from your link

The Chinese are not good guys when it comes to religion, but Christians are not currently among its persecuted religious groups

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While “outsider” religions, like Islam, are banned and persecuted, Xi might be softening on traditional religions because he thinks they can help the party.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-politics-vacuum/xi-jinping-hopes-traditional-faiths-can-fill-moral-void-in-china-sources-idUSBRE98S0GS20130929

You’re referring to an article that is from 2013. Learn more about news here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News

And it was linked from the recent article that covers the same topic:
http://harvardpolitics.com/covers/different-but-the-same/

I shared the Reuters article because it was more succinct. It is still true today.

Xi is using traditional religions to exclude foreign influences.

What is your point? Is this acceptable to you? They see religion as a threat to the state.

"upwards of 3 million Muslim Uighurs have been sent to “counter-terrorism” or “re-education” camps, where they are tortured into renouncing their religion and forced to recite state propaganda" - from your link

Yes, the religious persecution is horrible and inexcusable.

I find it interesting though how he’s using traditional religion to further his party. He sees it as a tool to manipulate people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While “outsider” religions, like Islam, are banned and persecuted, Xi might be softening on traditional religions because he thinks they can help the party.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-politics-vacuum/xi-jinping-hopes-traditional-faiths-can-fill-moral-void-in-china-sources-idUSBRE98S0GS20130929

You’re referring to an article that is from 2013. Learn more about news here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News

And it was linked from the recent article that covers the same topic:
http://harvardpolitics.com/covers/different-but-the-same/

I shared the Reuters article because it was more succinct. It is still true today.

Xi is using traditional religions to exclude foreign influences.

What is your point? Is this acceptable to you? They see religion as a threat to the state.

"upwards of 3 million Muslim Uighurs have been sent to “counter-terrorism” or “re-education” camps, where they are tortured into renouncing their religion and forced to recite state propaganda" - from your link

The Chinese are not good guys when it comes to religion, but Christians are not currently among its persecuted religious groups

Unlike Islam, Christianity is a recognized religion in China and is tolerated as long as they follow the regulations. Christians are punished though if they break the rules. It’s not full religious freedom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While “outsider” religions, like Islam, are banned and persecuted, Xi might be softening on traditional religions because he thinks they can help the party.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-politics-vacuum/xi-jinping-hopes-traditional-faiths-can-fill-moral-void-in-china-sources-idUSBRE98S0GS20130929

You’re referring to an article that is from 2013. Learn more about news here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News

And it was linked from the recent article that covers the same topic:
http://harvardpolitics.com/covers/different-but-the-same/

I shared the Reuters article because it was more succinct. It is still true today.

Xi is using traditional religions to exclude foreign influences.

What is your point? Is this acceptable to you? They see religion as a threat to the state.

"upwards of 3 million Muslim Uighurs have been sent to “counter-terrorism” or “re-education” camps, where they are tortured into renouncing their religion and forced to recite state propaganda" - from your link

The Chinese are not good guys when it comes to religion, but Christians are not currently among its persecuted religious groups

Unlike Islam, Christianity is a recognized religion in China and is tolerated as long as they follow the regulations. Christians are punished though if they break the rules. It’s not full religious freedom.

Correct. The communist state atheists see Christianity as a threat from the west as it gains in popularity. They have no problem cracking down on it, closing churches, jailing people and re-writing scripture and whatever other tactics. Christians are most certainly among its persecuted currently. Religion in these atheist/communist countries exist to serve the state. There is no real religious freedom as PP said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While “outsider” religions, like Islam, are banned and persecuted, Xi might be softening on traditional religions because he thinks they can help the party.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-politics-vacuum/xi-jinping-hopes-traditional-faiths-can-fill-moral-void-in-china-sources-idUSBRE98S0GS20130929

You’re referring to an article that is from 2013. Learn more about news here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News

And it was linked from the recent article that covers the same topic:
http://harvardpolitics.com/covers/different-but-the-same/

I shared the Reuters article because it was more succinct. It is still true today.

Xi is using traditional religions to exclude foreign influences.

What is your point? Is this acceptable to you? They see religion as a threat to the state.

"upwards of 3 million Muslim Uighurs have been sent to “counter-terrorism” or “re-education” camps, where they are tortured into renouncing their religion and forced to recite state propaganda" - from your link

The Chinese are not good guys when it comes to religion, but Christians are not currently among its persecuted religious groups

Unlike Islam, Christianity is a recognized religion in China and is tolerated as long as they follow the regulations. Christians are punished though if they break the rules. It’s not full religious freedom.

Correct. The communist state atheists see Christianity as a threat from the west as it gains in popularity. They have no problem cracking down on it, closing churches, jailing people and re-writing scripture and whatever other tactics. Christians are most certainly among its persecuted currently. Religion in these atheist/communist countries exist to serve the state. There is no real religious freedom as PP said.

Sure is great to live in the US where there is no state religion and no stricture against practicing any religion or no religion at all.

Hope it stays that way. Some people say it's a Christian country, but it isn't. It was founded based on freedom of religion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While “outsider” religions, like Islam, are banned and persecuted, Xi might be softening on traditional religions because he thinks they can help the party.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-politics-vacuum/xi-jinping-hopes-traditional-faiths-can-fill-moral-void-in-china-sources-idUSBRE98S0GS20130929

You’re referring to an article that is from 2013. Learn more about news here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News

And it was linked from the recent article that covers the same topic:
http://harvardpolitics.com/covers/different-but-the-same/

I shared the Reuters article because it was more succinct. It is still true today.

Xi is using traditional religions to exclude foreign influences.

What is your point? Is this acceptable to you? They see religion as a threat to the state.

"upwards of 3 million Muslim Uighurs have been sent to “counter-terrorism” or “re-education” camps, where they are tortured into renouncing their religion and forced to recite state propaganda" - from your link

The Chinese are not good guys when it comes to religion, but Christians are not currently among its persecuted religious groups

Unlike Islam, Christianity is a recognized religion in China and is tolerated as long as they follow the regulations. Christians are punished though if they break the rules. It’s not full religious freedom.

Correct. The communist state atheists see Christianity as a threat from the west as it gains in popularity. They have no problem cracking down on it, closing churches, jailing people and re-writing scripture and whatever other tactics. Christians are most certainly among its persecuted currently. Religion in these atheist/communist countries exist to serve the state. There is no real religious freedom as PP said.

Sure is great to live in the US where there is no state religion and no stricture against practicing any religion or no religion at all.

Hope it stays that way. Some people say it's a Christian country, but it isn't. It was founded based on freedom of religion.

You're very naïve. While the US does not have a state religion and generally has pretty good religious freedom in practice, we are far from the religious utopia you make us out to be.

The US government has done the following things to informally give Christianity an elevated status:

- Christmas is a federal holiday. On no other religious holiday does the federal government close.
- We say "one nation under god" in the pledge of allegiance
- Taxpayers pay for the US government to produce money that says "in god we trust"
- It is customary to be sworn in to federal offices with one's hand on some sort of religious book. Usually it's a Bible and while you can use any book, there are strong cultural norms stressing the use of the Bible.
- Politicians often say "god bless America" at the end of speeches
- We have never elected an atheist President, or a President that practices any religion other than Christianity

So while we do not have laws that establish state support--or vilification--of a particular religion, we have many practices and norms that make it clear we are, de facto, an essentially Christian nation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While “outsider” religions, like Islam, are banned and persecuted, Xi might be softening on traditional religions because he thinks they can help the party.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-politics-vacuum/xi-jinping-hopes-traditional-faiths-can-fill-moral-void-in-china-sources-idUSBRE98S0GS20130929

You’re referring to an article that is from 2013. Learn more about news here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News

And it was linked from the recent article that covers the same topic:
http://harvardpolitics.com/covers/different-but-the-same/

I shared the Reuters article because it was more succinct. It is still true today.

Xi is using traditional religions to exclude foreign influences.

What is your point? Is this acceptable to you? They see religion as a threat to the state.

"upwards of 3 million Muslim Uighurs have been sent to “counter-terrorism” or “re-education” camps, where they are tortured into renouncing their religion and forced to recite state propaganda" - from your link

The Chinese are not good guys when it comes to religion, but Christians are not currently among its persecuted religious groups

Unlike Islam, Christianity is a recognized religion in China and is tolerated as long as they follow the regulations. Christians are punished though if they break the rules. It’s not full religious freedom.

Correct. The communist state atheists see Christianity as a threat from the west as it gains in popularity. They have no problem cracking down on it, closing churches, jailing people and re-writing scripture and whatever other tactics. Christians are most certainly among its persecuted currently. Religion in these atheist/communist countries exist to serve the state. There is no real religious freedom as PP said.

Sure is great to live in the US where there is no state religion and no stricture against practicing any religion or no religion at all.

Hope it stays that way. Some people say it's a Christian country, but it isn't. It was founded based on freedom of religion.

You're very naïve. While the US does not have a state religion and generally has pretty good religious freedom in practice, we are far from the religious utopia you make us out to be.

The US government has done the following things to informally give Christianity an elevated status:

- Christmas is a federal holiday. On no other religious holiday does the federal government close.
- We say "one nation under god" in the pledge of allegiance
- Taxpayers pay for the US government to produce money that says "in god we trust"
- It is customary to be sworn in to federal offices with one's hand on some sort of religious book. Usually it's a Bible and while you can use any book, there are strong cultural norms stressing the use of the Bible.
- Politicians often say "god bless America" at the end of speeches
- We have never elected an atheist President, or a President that practices any religion other than Christianity

So while we do not have laws that establish state support--or vilification--of a particular religion, we have many practices and norms that make it clear we are, de facto, an essentially Christian nation.

Give it time. Humans hold onto silly traditions for a long time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While “outsider” religions, like Islam, are banned and persecuted, Xi might be softening on traditional religions because he thinks they can help the party.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-politics-vacuum/xi-jinping-hopes-traditional-faiths-can-fill-moral-void-in-china-sources-idUSBRE98S0GS20130929

You’re referring to an article that is from 2013. Learn more about news here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News

And it was linked from the recent article that covers the same topic:
http://harvardpolitics.com/covers/different-but-the-same/

I shared the Reuters article because it was more succinct. It is still true today.

Xi is using traditional religions to exclude foreign influences.

What is your point? Is this acceptable to you? They see religion as a threat to the state.

"upwards of 3 million Muslim Uighurs have been sent to “counter-terrorism” or “re-education” camps, where they are tortured into renouncing their religion and forced to recite state propaganda" - from your link

The Chinese are not good guys when it comes to religion, but Christians are not currently among its persecuted religious groups

Unlike Islam, Christianity is a recognized religion in China and is tolerated as long as they follow the regulations. Christians are punished though if they break the rules. It’s not full religious freedom.

Correct. The communist state atheists see Christianity as a threat from the west as it gains in popularity. They have no problem cracking down on it, closing churches, jailing people and re-writing scripture and whatever other tactics. Christians are most certainly among its persecuted currently. Religion in these atheist/communist countries exist to serve the state. There is no real religious freedom as PP said.

Sure is great to live in the US where there is no state religion and no stricture against practicing any religion or no religion at all.

Hope it stays that way. Some people say it's a Christian country, but it isn't. It was founded based on freedom of religion.

You're very naïve. While the US does not have a state religion and generally has pretty good religious freedom in practice, we are far from the religious utopia you make us out to be.

The US government has done the following things to informally give Christianity an elevated status:

- Christmas is a federal holiday. On no other religious holiday does the federal government close.
- We say "one nation under god" in the pledge of allegiance
- Taxpayers pay for the US government to produce money that says "in god we trust"
- It is customary to be sworn in to federal offices with one's hand on some sort of religious book. Usually it's a Bible and while you can use any book, there are strong cultural norms stressing the use of the Bible.
- Politicians often say "god bless America" at the end of speeches
- We have never elected an atheist President, or a President that practices any religion other than Christianity

So while we do not have laws that establish state support--or vilification--of a particular religion, we have many practices and norms that make it clear we are, de facto, an essentially Christian nation.

Give it time. Humans hold onto silly traditions for a long time.

You mean longer than 243 years? Alright, I'll wait ...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While “outsider” religions, like Islam, are banned and persecuted, Xi might be softening on traditional religions because he thinks they can help the party.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-politics-vacuum/xi-jinping-hopes-traditional-faiths-can-fill-moral-void-in-china-sources-idUSBRE98S0GS20130929

You’re referring to an article that is from 2013. Learn more about news here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News

And it was linked from the recent article that covers the same topic:
http://harvardpolitics.com/covers/different-but-the-same/

I shared the Reuters article because it was more succinct. It is still true today.

Xi is using traditional religions to exclude foreign influences.

What is your point? Is this acceptable to you? They see religion as a threat to the state.

"upwards of 3 million Muslim Uighurs have been sent to “counter-terrorism” or “re-education” camps, where they are tortured into renouncing their religion and forced to recite state propaganda" - from your link

The Chinese are not good guys when it comes to religion, but Christians are not currently among its persecuted religious groups

Unlike Islam, Christianity is a recognized religion in China and is tolerated as long as they follow the regulations. Christians are punished though if they break the rules. It’s not full religious freedom.

Correct. The communist state atheists see Christianity as a threat from the west as it gains in popularity. They have no problem cracking down on it, closing churches, jailing people and re-writing scripture and whatever other tactics. Christians are most certainly among its persecuted currently. Religion in these atheist/communist countries exist to serve the state. There is no real religious freedom as PP said.

Sure is great to live in the US where there is no state religion and no stricture against practicing any religion or no religion at all.

Hope it stays that way. Some people say it's a Christian country, but it isn't. It was founded based on freedom of religion.

You're very naïve. While the US does not have a state religion and generally has pretty good religious freedom in practice, we are far from the religious utopia you make us out to be.

The US government has done the following things to informally give Christianity an elevated status:

- Christmas is a federal holiday. On no other religious holiday does the federal government close.
- We say "one nation under god" in the pledge of allegiance
- Taxpayers pay for the US government to produce money that says "in god we trust"
- It is customary to be sworn in to federal offices with one's hand on some sort of religious book. Usually it's a Bible and while you can use any book, there are strong cultural norms stressing the use of the Bible.
- Politicians often say "god bless America" at the end of speeches
- We have never elected an atheist President, or a President that practices any religion other than Christianity

So while we do not have laws that establish state support--or vilification--of a particular religion, we have many practices and norms that make it clear we are, de facto, an essentially Christian nation.

Give it time. Humans hold onto silly traditions for a long time.

You mean longer than 243 years? Alright, I'll wait ...

Feel free to take a more proactive approach towards removing the religious elements if you want, but we've already seen some changes.
- Fewer elected officials are using the bible to be sworn in, etc.
- The pledge of allegiance is a made-up thing. How often is it even used these days?
- Better representation of different religions in state and federal governments.

I bet it will happen in the next 25-50 years.

[Anonymous]

CHristmas has been greatly secularized.

"Under god" was added to the pledge in the 50's in response to the russian scare and could be removed

We may well have elected an atheist president, posing as a Christian.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CHristmas has been greatly secularized.

"Under god" was added to the pledge in the 50's in response to the russian scare and could be removed

We may well have elected an atheist president, posing as a Christian.

You're not understanding. To non-Christians like me, it doesn't work to say "it's secularized." You only see it that way because the holiday (which is religious, whether you like it or not) has SO permeated our culture that people say it's not religious anymore. Saying Christmas is secularized is another way of saying Christianity has become a part of our national identity.

Yes, of course under god can be removed, but it almost certainly won't be. The fact that it was added in response to the Russian scare is another indication of how Christianity becomes part of our national politics. In that case, it was part of the fight between the Christian West and the godless Communists. When the US Government was vilifying the Communists as godless, they were implicitly (and sometimes explicitly) promoting our identity as religious.

Polls have shown that fewer Americans support electing an atheist President than any other demographic group. The fact that someone who is, in fact, atheist needs to "pose as a Christian" supports my point about how we are, de facto, a Christian country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CHristmas has been greatly secularized.

"Under god" was added to the pledge in the 50's in response to the russian scare and could be removed

We may well have elected an atheist president, posing as a Christian.

Ditto for “in god we trust.” Prior to that the motto was E Pluribus Unum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:CHristmas has been greatly secularized.

"Under god" was added to the pledge in the 50's in response to the russian scare and could be removed

We may well have elected an atheist president, posing as a Christian.

Ditto for “in god we trust.” Prior to that the motto was E Pluribus Unum.

I'm well aware of that. Again, all that shows is the extent to which Christianity permeates our national policy. "In God we Trust" was added to reinforce the struggle we were fighting against the godless Communists. It was meant to help establish the USA as a religious country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While “outsider” religions, like Islam, are banned and persecuted, Xi might be softening on traditional religions because he thinks they can help the party.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-politics-vacuum/xi-jinping-hopes-traditional-faiths-can-fill-moral-void-in-china-sources-idUSBRE98S0GS20130929

You’re referring to an article that is from 2013. Learn more about news here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News

And it was linked from the recent article that covers the same topic:
http://harvardpolitics.com/covers/different-but-the-same/

I shared the Reuters article because it was more succinct. It is still true today.

Xi is using traditional religions to exclude foreign influences.

What is your point? Is this acceptable to you? They see religion as a threat to the state.

"upwards of 3 million Muslim Uighurs have been sent to “counter-terrorism” or “re-education” camps, where they are tortured into renouncing their religion and forced to recite state propaganda" - from your link

The Chinese are not good guys when it comes to religion, but Christians are not currently among its persecuted religious groups

Unlike Islam, Christianity is a recognized religion in China and is tolerated as long as they follow the regulations. Christians are punished though if they break the rules. It’s not full religious freedom.

Correct. The communist state atheists see Christianity as a threat from the west as it gains in popularity. They have no problem cracking down on it, closing churches, jailing people and re-writing scripture and whatever other tactics. Christians are most certainly among its persecuted currently. Religion in these atheist/communist countries exist to serve the state. There is no real religious freedom as PP said.

Sure is great to live in the US where there is no state religion and no stricture against practicing any religion or no religion at all.

Hope it stays that way. Some people say it's a Christian country, but it isn't. It was founded based on freedom of religion.

You're very naïve. While the US does not have a state religion and generally has pretty good religious freedom in practice, we are far from the religious utopia you make us out to be.

The US government has done the following things to informally give Christianity an elevated status:

- Christmas is a federal holiday. On no other religious holiday does the federal government close.
- We say "one nation under god" in the pledge of allegiance
- Taxpayers pay for the US government to produce money that says "in god we trust"
- It is customary to be sworn in to federal offices with one's hand on some sort of religious book. Usually it's a Bible and while you can use any book, there are strong cultural norms stressing the use of the Bible.
- Politicians often say "god bless America" at the end of speeches
- We have never elected an atheist President, or a President that practices any religion other than Christianity

So while we do not have laws that establish state support--or vilification--of a particular religion, we have many practices and norms that make it clear we are, de facto, an essentially Christian nation.

You can always leave, I mean it's not a Chinese re-education camp or North Korea. Canada might be a good fit? "Pretty Good" compared to what? Utopia? Where is that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While “outsider” religions, like Islam, are banned and persecuted, Xi might be softening on traditional religions because he thinks they can help the party.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-politics-vacuum/xi-jinping-hopes-traditional-faiths-can-fill-moral-void-in-china-sources-idUSBRE98S0GS20130929

You’re referring to an article that is from 2013. Learn more about news here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News

And it was linked from the recent article that covers the same topic:
http://harvardpolitics.com/covers/different-but-the-same/

I shared the Reuters article because it was more succinct. It is still true today.

Xi is using traditional religions to exclude foreign influences.

What is your point? Is this acceptable to you? They see religion as a threat to the state.

"upwards of 3 million Muslim Uighurs have been sent to “counter-terrorism” or “re-education” camps, where they are tortured into renouncing their religion and forced to recite state propaganda" - from your link

The Chinese are not good guys when it comes to religion, but Christians are not currently among its persecuted religious groups

Unlike Islam, Christianity is a recognized religion in China and is tolerated as long as they follow the regulations. Christians are punished though if they break the rules. It’s not full religious freedom.

Correct. The communist state atheists see Christianity as a threat from the west as it gains in popularity. They have no problem cracking down on it, closing churches, jailing people and re-writing scripture and whatever other tactics. Christians are most certainly among its persecuted currently. Religion in these atheist/communist countries exist to serve the state. There is no real religious freedom as PP said.

Sure is great to live in the US where there is no state religion and no stricture against practicing any religion or no religion at all.

Hope it stays that way. Some people say it's a Christian country, but it isn't. It was founded based on freedom of religion.

You're very naïve. While the US does not have a state religion and generally has pretty good religious freedom in practice, we are far from the religious utopia you make us out to be.

The US government has done the following things to informally give Christianity an elevated status:

- Christmas is a federal holiday. On no other religious holiday does the federal government close.
- We say "one nation under god" in the pledge of allegiance
- Taxpayers pay for the US government to produce money that says "in god we trust"
- It is customary to be sworn in to federal offices with one's hand on some sort of religious book. Usually it's a Bible and while you can use any book, there are strong cultural norms stressing the use of the Bible.
- Politicians often say "god bless America" at the end of speeches
- We have never elected an atheist President, or a President that practices any religion other than Christianity

So while we do not have laws that establish state support--or vilification--of a particular religion, we have many practices and norms that make it clear we are, de facto, an essentially Christian nation.

You can always leave, I mean it's not a Chinese re-education camp or North Korea. Canada might be a good fit? "Pretty Good" compared to what? Utopia? Where is that?

Why would PP leave? Religion is declining.

https://www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/americas-changing-religious-landscape/