Give Me Liberty or Give Me "Religion?"

Every time sources like Forbes Magazine, Times Magazine or The Huffington post compile a list of the Happiest Countries on Earth, you always see these countries atop that list: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland and Finland. Another list you will see those countries usually dominate, is the least poverty list. These countries also excel in health care, education, civil liberties, reform and peace (looking at the last 100 years).

The most important list however that these countries top, is the most atheist countries. Sweden has as much as 85% atheism, in Denmark 69% don't believe in God, 68% in Norway, 87% in Switzerland and 59% in Finland.

All of these countries are predominately Christian, but they believe in Christianity as much as we believe in the characters in Lost. Sure they might go to Church every Sunday and maybe have a cross hanging somewhere in their house, but they do not look at life through a Christian Prism. They do not make decisions that will affect their well being or the well being of anyone based on religion but rather on common sense, logic and human emotion. They do not wage wars because of religion, the do not form laws because of religion and they sure do not strip freedoms because of religion.

On the flip side of that coin, lets take a look at countries who are predominately religious. Looking at Christian countries, there is the U.S. and the U.K. who are constantly in war. For the U.S. (counting the cold war) has maybe seen 10 years of peace in the last 60 years. Another set of Christian dominated countries like Mexico and South America, who are at the top of the poverty list (outside of Africa).

The only Jewish dominated country is Israel, and the country is more like a military base than an actual country. Israel has not seen one minute of peace since its origin in 1948.

Muslim countries (practice religion heavily) in the world are three types: full of poverty like Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and Pakistan. The second type is always at war like Iraq, and the third type is always at war and in poverty like the Gaza Strip, Afghanistan, etc. There is the Gulf Countries exception however, but what those countries have in peace and money they lack in health care, education, civil liberties and reform. Sure you might find the biggest airports and golf courses in the gulf but they also punish women like slaves and chop off your hand if you steal something.

I am not attacking religions but religious people. Religion blinds people to make decisions without logically thinking them through.

I have read that there is a saying Yemeni people are famous for (loosely translated), If leaving religion means advancement, oh soul die before you progress.