January 8, 2007 - Humane Citizens, Not God, Make Great Societies

I profoundly disagree with Hugh Thompson’s conclusion that, “Without the belief in God . . . the world would be a far colder, harsher, less humane place to live" (“Faith is inspiration for charity, peace”, 1/6.)

In fact the opposite is the case.

One needs only to look at contemporary secular Western Europe to see societies with the lowest rates of religious observance and the highest rates of atheism, the highest rates of education, the highest longevity rates, the lowest rates of violent crime, the lowest rates of poverty, and the lowest rates of infant mortality, etc.

By humane standards these post-Christian countries are the great societal successes of human history and they offer a blueprint for how we can finally eradicate poverty and violence in the U.S.

In short, I think that the need for god is diminished in direct proportion to the well being (universal health care, universal education K-through-college, a living wage, etc.) the state guarantees every citizen.

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