For the most part, are Germans more religious than US?

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athene noctua

Although the people are less religious, at least overtly, it seems to me there are more Christian values in public life than in the US.
Germans, like most Europeans, believe that society and state have a duty to look after the less well off, fewer people are getting divorced (per marriage) and even Sunday shopping is not a general thing yet.
Then there is Bavaria, where a lot of ultra right Catholics have more than their fair share of public representation and want back to the middle ages, just like the fundamentalists in the US, but it is still not nearly as far gone as there, and never will, because these people are shrewd enough to know the limits they can go to. But people there still go to pilgrimages in their droves, and have Corpus Christi processions through villages covered in flowers for the occasion.

Generally, talking about religion is only permissible among consenting adults, and I would not want to hear what the Germans really thought about the missionary that answered here. They learn early that you don't argue with religious nutters or old and new Nazis because that only encourages them.

I could not really say whether they are more or less religious than the Americans, only that in public there is hardly any expression of religion, except for the traditional ones I mentioned.

lozatron

Typically Germans (like most Europeans) are less overtly religious than Americans - fewer of them go to church and it is far less socially acceptable to talk openly about religion - it would be considered a bit like talking about how much money you earn.

That said, in general the south, especially Bavaria, tends to be both more conservative and more religious, it is quite common to see roadside shrines in the south of the country.

I believe that Churches in Germany are also funded through one's taxes which makes an interesting social dynamic which I can't really understand (but maybe another, cleverer poster will be able to explain...)

In my experience people in rural areas and also mountainous areas (perhaps because nature is more of a force in their lives) tend to be more religious in all of the German speaking countries.

Hope this helps...

Sanmigsean

Lozatron - good observation.

German residents have to pay 8.5% of their income tax as a "church tax" IF they are registered as having a confession. Agnostics pay nothing. Everyone has to "register" at the city hall where they reside, which is how this data is collected. Many younger people are ("thank god") formally withdrawing from the church to avoid these taxes.

I moved there in 1992, and was pleasantly surprised to find that even my friends who were registered almost never went to church.

Europeans on average have a more sound education, and this usually goes hand in hand with having a smaller emphasis on religion in society.

Tony R

I don't think so but I could be wrong

robertdihno

Loaded question! Comparing Georgia to Berlin is kinda funny. Berliners have tons of churches but they are the most unreligous group of people Ive seen all together in my life. atlanta has got much more religious integrity because of all the gospel and stuff. Anyways, no it is not like that at all. Americans are more religious than germans( even the southern germans). And Americans are much more patriotic too. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!! I willl be visiting the land of the free for Christmas. Hell yeah!!!

Mad Dog Johnson

nope.

Frau Frenzy

No, people from the USA are much more religious than we are. There are more catholics in the south, more protestants in the west. But all in all we are not so strict like you are.

SFdude

Americans are far, far, far more religious. You bring up creationism as a legitimate "alternative theory" in a German science class, and the students will think you're a fool.

In Germany, there are a lot of churches and statistically the country is 1/2 Catholic and 1/2 Protestant, but attendance during services is quite low.

Germans (and Western Europeans in general) also pay far less attention to the Vatican and its Protestant counterparts than Americans. They're as apathetic about religion as we are about voting, Technically, they're Christians... but I get the sense many Germans think the institutions are out of touch with reality, and that their participation is neither required nor welcomed.

The exception is Bavaria, which is closer to Austria than other Germans in matters of faith. Bavaria does have what we might identify as "the religious right".

kiki

hmm i haven't really met any Germans who were religious. and i met plenty...dunno

Princess Buttercup

Many have a love for and belief in a "God", but they don't feel that it should control their lives. They don't feel that people should be persecuted on Religious grounds (they already tried that and it didn't work out so well) and they don't really feel that it has as huge place in society.

They learned the hard way what happens when a society becomes sectarian based on religion. They feel that their religion is their own, not to be flaunted and preached. They tend to have a more personal relationship to their god, not an 'oracle' or preacher who has to tell them what to believe and how to think.

Nurse stat

No Germany is more a secular country ,especially the from er East Germany,where Religion was more or lest prohibit and your were paid a kind of Bonus from your working place if you cut the ties to any religious Organization(this was also done in many other from er Communist Country's).
Only the Southern Parts of Germany like Bavarian ,Baden Wuertenberg ,90% Catholic are more Churchgoers.There is also a growing percentage on People who are Moslem's,manly from Turkey and Northern Africa. And the Jew-es Communities i.e.in Berlin are back and open their doors.
But Germans are more tolerate then people here in things of Religion.
To pay and maintain Churches and their Staff in Germany, everybody belonging to one of the Main Churches, has to pay monthly taxes, which are deducted right from your paycheck.Of Course you can decline ,by going to the Local Courthouse and sign a Form that you no longer wish to belong for example to the Catholic Church. This is the only way where you are exempt from paying.
I hope this information was helpful for you
Greetings from Seattle,
Native from Hamburg

Mightymo

The catholic south!

jayomi

not at all. they are mostly aethist.... trying out buddhism or going vegan!

freded_124

the south for sure!

higherground_pastor

From my experience, NO. The Germans are much less "religious" than Americans. But, that does not mean they are not open. I found that sharing the Gospel and my faith experience with them in an honest open discussion was welcome. (And no ACLU to worry about. lol)

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