(no subject)
Another reason I love New Zealand.
We're one of the least religious counties out there (didn't make the top 10, but still). For example, 26% of the population are believed to not believe in any faith (be it Christian, Muslim, whatever), whereas in the States its 10%.
According to censuses done, the break down is:
New Zealand Anglican 14.9%, Roman Catholic 12.4%, Presbyterian 10.9%, Methodist 2.9%, Pentecostal 1.7%, Baptist 1.3%, other Christian 9.4%, other 3.3%, unspecified 17.2%, none 26% (2001 census)
United States Protestant 52%, Roman Catholic 24%, Mormon 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 1%, other 10%, none 10% (2002 est.)
Thats not the point, though.
I popped in at the grocery today and their window display was the nativity.
People can wish someone Merry Christmas (or for that matter, Happy Hanukkah, etc) without fear of offending a huge group of people.
You'd think it would be the other way around.
Personally, I think its just the fact that a much higher majority of people have RESPECT for others here.
We're one of the least religious counties out there (didn't make the top 10, but still). For example, 26% of the population are believed to not believe in any faith (be it Christian, Muslim, whatever), whereas in the States its 10%.
According to censuses done, the break down is:
New Zealand Anglican 14.9%, Roman Catholic 12.4%, Presbyterian 10.9%, Methodist 2.9%, Pentecostal 1.7%, Baptist 1.3%, other Christian 9.4%, other 3.3%, unspecified 17.2%, none 26% (2001 census)
United States Protestant 52%, Roman Catholic 24%, Mormon 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 1%, other 10%, none 10% (2002 est.)
Thats not the point, though.
I popped in at the grocery today and their window display was the nativity.
People can wish someone Merry Christmas (or for that matter, Happy Hanukkah, etc) without fear of offending a huge group of people.
You'd think it would be the other way around.
Personally, I think its just the fact that a much higher majority of people have RESPECT for others here.