Religion and America

How Money Impacts Religion

The Society and Religion 

America, as a whole, is a very religious country. The majority of people grow up with some sort of religion in their life, and (most of the time), continue with their faith. According to a recent poll by Gallup, 7 out of 10 Americans consider themselves very or moderately religious. But why does our society rely on religion so much? Why does our society have such strong religious convictions when most developed, industrial countries do not? Does it accurately represent all Americans?

The answer to both these questions seems to come from income levels. Areas in America, such as the south, have the highest poverty rates. The States that have the highest levels of income have the lowest religious beliefs. An article posted on Pyschology Today explains that despite America being considered a "rich" nation, the distribution of wealth is hardly equal, which causes more people to turn to a religion in their hardships. This is why America is the exception. Due to the distribution of wealth, America is a highly developed, industrial country that is religious.

Since of the distribution of wealth is very unbalanced, poverty ridden states are more religious. Which, leads back to the south. Child poverty is very high there, and many parents lack a job, sufficient healthcare and steady wages, according to a Salon.com article. This in turn leads the majority of the population to praying to help their problems. They have more struggles than the rest of the nation, which is why Southerners are more often found in church. In the Salon article, it discusses a poll led by Pew Forum which revealed that 9 of the 10 most religious states were in the South. On the flip side, Wisconsin, Vermont, California and New York are some of the least religious but have the most wealth.

 Due to the high population of people who are in poverty, or have economic problems, it helps explain why America is the religious country that it is. Religion is an answer sometimes for people who don't feel like they have other options. If America continues to have the economic problems it does, it will remain the very religious country that it is, despite the disproportion.

LINKS:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-human-beast/201101/why-americans-are-so-religious
http://www.gallup.com/poll/159050/seven-americans-moderately-religious.aspx
http://www.salon.com/2014/03/18/the_destructive_myth_about_religion_that_americans_disproportionately_believe_partner/