religion related too poverty, except in US

[Amby 490]

A newly released study from the Gallup organization, based on surveys in 114 countries in 2009, shows globally 84 percent of people say religion is an important part of their daily lives. But what's really interesting about the study is this:

"Each of the most religious countries is relatively poor, with a per-capita GDP below $5,000," Gallup analysts state. "This reflects the strong relationship between a country's socioeconomic status and the religiosity of its residents. In the world's poorest countries -- those with average per-capita incomes of $2,000 or lower -- the median proportion who say religion is important in their daily lives is 95 percent. In contrast, the median for the richest countries -- those with average per-capita incomes higher than $25,000 -- is 47 percent."

One theory about why this is the case is that religion plays a more functional role in the world's poorest countries, helping many residents cope with a daily struggle to provide for themselves and their families, the Gallup analysts say. And a previous Gallup analysis supports this idea, finding the relationship between religiosity and emotional wellbeing is stronger among poor countries. [see also: Why We Believe]

Anyway, here is what's even more interesting in the new study:

"The United States is one of the rich countries that bucks the trend. About two-thirds of Americans -- 65 percent -- say religion is important in their daily lives."

In other rich countries, the percent is much lower:

• Sweden: 17 percent
• Denmark: 19 percent
• UK: 27 percent
• France: 30 percent

Infographic artist and commentator Charles Blow a The New York Times put all this into intriguing graphic perspective.

http://www.livescien...rty-except.html

errrr...someone edit the title from too to to.

Edited September 8, 2010 by Amby

[Danno 1,228]

Thought I would post that graph.

[Atencio 43]

Cool graph Danno

[mawilson 2,133]

The US will correct itself eventually - either by electing a religious figure like Sarah Palin

or Mike Huckabee whose "leadership" will drive the country further into poverty - or by

realizing that God is a fairy tale for adults and that no one will answer their prayers, so

they might as well start living their lives for themselves and not some imaginary deity who

may or may not exist.

[Heracles 417]

Where is Australia on that graph? They probably had to be charted over the $50.

[Jenn! 918]

The U.S. needs to catch up with the rest of the developed world, sheesh.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Where is Australia on that graph? They probably had to be charted over the $50.

They only charted relavent countries in that graph BY.

[mawilson 2,133]

Where is Australia on that graph? They probably had to be charted over the $50.

[Ban Hammer 13,508]

They only charted relavent countries in that graph BY.

[Heracles 417]

I get a laugh when people living in insignificant states themselves get a kick out of petty comments.

[IncorrectPolitics 26]

Religion related to poverty

[Ban Hammer 13,508]

I get a laugh when people living in insignificant states themselves get a kick out of petty comments.

i love it when people who depend on food from our state think we're insignificant.

[^_^ 5,021]

i love it when people who depend on food from our state think we're insignificant.

every state produces something. by that logic, no american could ever diss another state again. where's the fun in that?

[The_Dude 1,142]

every state produces something. by that logic, no american could ever diss another state again. where's the fun in that?

Well from Californa, home to the worlds 5th (or 6th depending on your source) largest economy in the world, suck it, and you better say thank you for it.

[^_^ 5,021]

Well from Californa, home to the worlds 5th (or 6th depending on your source) largest economy in the world, suck it, and you better say thank you for it.

cue rwn talking points about california's debt...