Why is the U.S so much more puritanical than the rest of the world?
470529
It is - perhaps - due to the relative isolationism of the US.\n\nOther countries hear a lot more about their neighbours, new ideas........and the US of course and are influenced by each other.\n\nI don't mean to offend US citizens by any means but so many have absolutely no clue about geography..if that is a element to consider.\n\nThey are very religious and for many sex is still a taboo subject. And wherever there is taboo : people are fascinated by it...and guilt ensues.\n\nStill very interesting to see that shows like Jerry Springer exploit this kind of counsciousness whilst nude scenes are cut out of movies but shown in Europe. \n\nDifficult to explain really.....Maybe a metaphor: like someone on a diet or someone who tries to cut down smoking..what do they think about ? The forbidden of course ! the cake and the cigarette :-)).\n\nWould German for example talk about "the German way of life" ?, Swedes " The Swedish dream".....are people told elsewhere if they  disagree that they are "unpatriotic" ?? (not talking about countries where extremists live here..).\n\nWell...my point of view in any case :-) !
1123477
American are extremely repressed spiritually and sexually. Americans tend to believe that there is only one true spiritual path, and that monogamy (many going so far as to say that it should only be between a man and a woman) is the only ethical sexual choice. That's pretty darned repressed.\n\nAnd you are right, anonymity aids in letting people relax and loosen up, sometimes too much. They say that the true test of someone's character is how they behave when they know they can't be caught. Unfortunately, many don't have very good characters.
146152
it is because of the following.\n\n1. AMERICA thinks that they own the world\n2. They have the money and they ABUSE it\n3. They are miserable and AFRAID\n\nWell before you judge me of my answers let me explain\nTo let you know I live in Asia, the Philippines.\nAmerica thinks they own the world... -> This is true, you can se this on TV, hear it on radios.. America doing business all over the world. I mean it is not bad but because they are in the pinnacle of power they abuse it. they think they know each country, each culture. they think they are superior because they are first world, they're democratic and they are rich. But it is not all about the money or the power. Each country has its culture and its people. I can tell you that democracy is not always the best option of government. \n\nAmerica is also afraid that over the course of time, these regimes or budding power will destroy them. So what do they do?, they take actions while a growing country is still young and take them on their necks.\n\nSAD to say but its true. How you can prove it?, take away the comforts that you are in now, visit a third world country (like the Philippines, Cuba, Africa), live it, feel the culture the people and know firsthand how AMERICA destroys.
215973
Because of an underlying fear in society about becoming infected by immoral and sinful activities.\n\nThese beliefs began in th 1500's by the Puritans, a protestant movement that strove to purge all sinnful nature from their followers. \n\nThis is the same sort of societal reaction in North America as the witch hunts in the 1700's, and even the Communist hunts in the 1950's.\n\nThese Puritan influences are weakening, but are still predominant in North America.\n\n\nChristian Ideals:\nThere are also people who claim to be anti-homosexual because of writings in the Christion scriptures, which are by and large taken out of context. However there is at least one specific passage that says a man is to lay with a woman. Nowhere in the Christion passages does it say to ostracize, condemn, or harm homosexuals.
835247
America is an amazing country and the rest of the world hates us for it. We have more guns than people, every race, religion and language spoken in the world right here in one spot and we don't have the problems these other countries have (think about that). We have the capability to completely destroy each other and we don't. Somehow Americans get along much better with each other then the rest of the world. Sure we have racism and disagreements but no civil war/massive riots(France). Why? Other countries speak the same language and have the same religion yet they are blowing up markets, burning each other and cutting of heads (notice no guns are used in those crimes). I'm not sure why we are different but we are and I wish the rest of the world would give us some credit for how we (the citizens-not our government) conduct ourselves.
823005
The thing that disturbs me the most, is that the government can say things like "Liberty, Freedom, Democracy"...and the american public actually believes it.\n\nAs people living in North America, sure comparatively we have a huge amount of freedom - but a lot of that material freedom depends on the resources of so many countries.\n\nThe standard of living that we enjoy doesn't come from nowhere, so in that sense, from that perspective we are not totally free. So when the U.S. goes to war to protect its interest, and uses the words like freedom, liberty, democracy - they aren't totally lying, nor are they totally telling the truth.\n\nGetting a bit philosophical here, but i think the as people living in industrial nations, we have to reduce our dependency at home, so that words like freedom and liberty actually have some relevance.
504011
I regret I have to disagree. First of all , it doesn't mean just because you are Christian, you can neccessary be good. There is no relation betwen non corruption and Christian. Secondly, all the examples of problems cited occur in any country. The US is not alone in this. Thirdly, practices such as the death penalty and the conducting of wars are not neccessary bad. Just imagine what would have happen if the US didn't enter the Gulf War to drive the Iraqis from Kuwait. The balance of power will not only be changed in the Middle East, but the whole world.\n\nSo, having said this, I can't say the US is a corrupt place. Not completely anyway.
515314
This attitude comes from being a very large well develped country, which has progressively bred a disturbing level of arrogance.\n\nBasically, America is drunk on its own hype.
483330
I agree there's more openness in the UK than in the US to this respect. Still, I haven't seen ANY person of immigrants descent in key official postions in the UK; while in the US there are MANY: Scwartzenegger, Villarraigosa, Kissinger. So who's more open-minded? And OF COURSE there's FREEDOM OF RELIGION in the US!! The US, being a traditionally Protestant nation, homes a greater Muslim population than many european nations do combined. Plus, the 20 million or so LatinAmerican immigrants are mostly roman-catholic, and free to practice their religion.
248498
Because this country just can't seem to keep it's nose out of other countries affairs .  It thinks every other country should be just like it. Not all countries want to be like the U.s and the sooner the USA realizes that the better
326701
Christianity in the United States is mostly devoid of the historical setting of Europe.  It tends to be shallow and focus on the externals rather than the interior life.  If it didn't, revivals wouldn't be so important here.  A European Protestant and an American Protestant are completely different animals.  The Anglican Communion is suffering through an heretical American Church that lacks the premises the Europeans enjoy.  The Lutheran Church in Europe probably wouldn't really recognize the Americans except loosely and all the others would be afraid of the Americans.  We do tend to be wacky.\n\nAmericans also are difficult as a people.  In the UK, loss of popular support results in the end of the government and new elections.  In the US, you can't fix mistakes easily or quickly so the role of popular power is different.  Elections occur at fixed intervals rather than when support disappears.  Likewise, because the Church is part of the organs of the state, it does not need to jockey for power as it does in the US.  If an evangelical minister wants to change something, they have to marshal a lot of power outside their own adherents.  This pushes religion into politics in a way that has nothing to do with morals or faith and everything to do with raw power.\n\nBecause education is of a lower quality in America, you have more juvenile discussions on religion.  Most Americans cannot tell you where Miami is.  A television show ran a petition here to end the woman's right to vote and only one potential signer realized what "woman's suffrage," was and got upset.  A majority of Americans, when asked if they would support amendments eliminating freedoms of speech, the press, fair and speedy trial and jury trial were for it when the phrasing was done in affirming ways.  For example, would you be for an amendment that prohibited people from saying "xxxx".  "Should the press be restricted to protect the government from...xxxx?"  "Should criminals be permitted to ...xxxx at trial?"\n\nRead the Yahoo! religion message boards and you will see the difference in literacy.  Most American "bible based" churches use little scripture compared to a Catholic or Anglican Church service, yet they cannot see the issue at all.  Everything that Luther could have feared about the Reformation is alive and well in the US.  Had he been able to look into the future and only seen US Protestantism, he would have burned the 95 Thesis.\n\nThe evolution debate in the US isn't is evolution opposed to Christianity.  It is really, although not stated, is evolution opposed to sola scriptura in extremis.
979882
the usa is scientifically advandced it a shame the the church rules it with it out dated 2000yrs old rules that are destroying the usa credabillatey the country is run by a fairy tale because the church has brainwashed its people
1074465
the total sum of U.S politics is indefinable with a single word, the U.S contains a diversity of opinion from communist parties to fascist parties. However if you want to generalize; well just look at the government they elected, neo-realist / neo-conservative politicians, the same creed that have always maintained a vice like grip on the central executive. You also have to look at the party system, there is only one party in America, the corporate nexus party, the republicans and democrats just have different business interests. There is also the factor of religion, we are talking about a nation of self hating puritans - extremely conservative, racist, armed to the teeth and afraid of anything new or different. I suppose if you were to compare America with other liberal democracies in Europe, it;s clearly the most conservative. I am personally disgusted by the patriotic sensationalism bound to American culture, it's not their fault but it's still pretty repugnant, Americans are generally raised as flag waving, god fearing, isolated, and extremely ignorant young people, and this simply has to change if the world is to stand a chance, it's the most important country in world politics - they need to start getting things right.
1121790
I don't know. I always thought that television in other countries was more risque than in the U.S.
759375
The USA is a sectarian country with a Christian majority. I hope you will be courteous and truthful enough to not add it to any list you might be making up.\n\nThe rather rabid Christians will tell you otherwise, but they hate almost anything that doesn't bow to their ideology and try to claim preeminence in telling others how to live. They also attack personally when they think nobody will oppose their propaganda. The USA will never be a theocracy no matter how badly they need it to fulfill the ego needs.
293001
I think society in the US is selfish and materialistic.  In general, we tend to judge by looks, not by the inner beauty.  We look for convenience as we tend to be lazier.  This once Christian nation is now more heathen than it ever has been.  We are a lost culture who picks up anything that sounds good to them and agrees with what they believe.  The fact that we are more acceptant of homosexuality, divorce, affairs, pornography, etc., shows how lost and shameless we are.  It is really sad to see where we came from (the founding of America and the writers of the Declaration of Independence and how far we have fallen.  It is truly sad to see what we have become.
1140468
Why is USA so full of religious fundamentalists?