欧美宗教发展模式比较

宗教在欧洲日趋衰落,世俗化程度严重,而在美国却兴旺发达。欧美宗教面貌不同,原因在于欧美政教关系模式的不同。欧洲国家存在着不同程度的国教与政教不分,导致宗教组织逐渐官方化、僵化,失去了活力。美国实行严格的政教分离政策,不设国教,不限制宗教自由,为各种宗教在美国的自由发展奠定了基础。宗教的自由发展促生了宗教自由市场,宗教市场上长期激烈的竞争,极大地增强了宗教组织的活力,促进了美国宗教总体上的繁荣。

Comparison of the Development Pattern of Religions in the U.S.and Europe

Complete separation of church and state, which was set up in the first Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, has enabled disputes between churches and the state to be settled within a legal framework, so that all religions can develop healthily in a fair and free market in the U.S. While, in Europe, the heritage of state churches and the close relationship between some religions and the governments has caused much substantial harm, which was reflected by the withered churches in the continent.