religious culture

One of the things we did a lot of in Austria was to tour churches and cathedrals. It's kind of the law, isn't it? -that when you're in Europe, you must see all those amazing churches. They were beautiful buildings, of course, with all their spendor and ornateness and history. Q was quite taken with the story of Jesus. We explained it all to him and answered his questions, and he was both horrified and fascinated. He enjoyed finding paintings of the crosses and showing me the scars in Jesus' feet and side and the two robbers that were crucified next to him. I think my children must understand the story of christianity if they are to operate well in this country.

Anyway, as a result of all this religious stuff, I was noticing how religion fit into everyday Austrian life. Aye currumba. If you think America has too much religion in our government, you haven't been to Europe. Austria is an extremely catholic nation. Religion is taught as regular classes in their public schools, and you are required to register in the schools as a Catholic or a Protestant (as far as I know, those are the only 2 choices). Churches dominate every town, from physically sitting atop the highest point as a defense outpost, to having bells ringing the hours (especially at 6 am, which is supposedly done in order to awaken the laborers who work the farms, but because I am NOT a farm worker, I was not all that impressed with this particular tradition). The greeting I heard from every person I ran across was "Gruess Got" ('groos-got') which means God's Greetings. (Actually, to attempt to pass as a local, you needed to slur it into "'sgot" or something equally indecipherable. The town festivals we went to were literally church (kirche) festivals.

Yet, it was much less imposing to me than religion here in America, and I spent much time wondering why. An obvious answer is that I was much more open minded in Europe and was eager to experience their culture and was therefore much more tolerant. But that isn't the full answer.

I think I got my answer when I was driving home from work yesterday, and found myself behind a van with one of those religous bumper stickers like "Jesus is my co-pilot" or "I don't question YOUR existance -God". I don't even remember what it was. I just remember the feeling of the in-your-face attitude, and I suddenly realized that was the difference. For me, at least, I detect a thread of hatefulness interspersed into American religous culture. It has turned into a game of "me versus you" with a sprinkling of enough immaturity and competitiveness to make it mainstream to tout your religion on bumper stickers and t-shirts.
"Red Sox."
"Ohio State."
"God."

It seems to have become less of a spiritual choice than a game.
"Good versus Evil. On at 7. Sponsored by Budweiser, and god."

This makes me sad. I am happy without a supernatural being, but I understand and respect those that are guided by their belief in a god. Spirituality is a very personal, and a very individual experience. It is upsetting to me that here in America, the personal flavor has exploded into a competition.

There are many things that I love about this country, and while I adored Europe, I am still happy to be American. But there are many warts that I wish we didn't have.