from Sheri's last interview question.  I thought I would bring it over here.  Sheri asked me, on my other blog, http://rosesandtea.blogdrive.com, what were some of the differences in culture in the US and England.  I gave some more general ones on the other page, but when I hit things more specific about Christianity, I decided to put them here.

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There are much fewer church goers/committed Christians here as a percentage of the population. This has effects on the culture, I think.  And the Christians here, are not as open about it as far as more trivial things are concerned - i.e. bumper stickers, identifying one's shop or business as belonging to a Christian (no signs on the door saying "Closed Sunday - See you in church" for example).  I'm not trying to be positive or negative about this as I'm not sure what I think completely, although I do think I find it encouraging when I see evidences of Christians in the community.

I did use to think, when I was in my 20's  that things like all these Christian businesses, Christian bookshops, Christian radio stations, made it easier to be a Christian or at least be a nominal one (the culture allowing more weeds to grow up with the tares maybe) , and that the absence of these things (or their rarity) would cause Christians here to have to work more to be stronger or to keep up a greater level of commitment.  They'd be more sincere, I thought.   But after 15 years I don't think that anymore.  There are many fine Christians here but easily the same level of nominal-ness that there is in the US and perhaps because there are fewer Christians there seems to be much less vigorous dialogue and action about various things - much less willingness to step out into the deep waters or new things.  I'm not sure if that is good or bad.  The number of Christians in each country certainly means that in the US you can have greater number of churches and although fragmentation is bad in one sense, being able to choose a group a little more in line with your beliefs means you can participate a little more freely and perhaps move more in the direction you feel God is calling you, instead of having to constantly hide what you feel God is speaking to you about because you are the only one who has the belief about ____________  (insert some non-heretical, but secondary belief here, like modest dressing, gifts of the Spirit, homeschooling, whatever).

The fact that there are fewer churches here, mean that in the non-denomination evangelical churches at least (where most people go if they do not feel they match the few other churches available to them in their area), you have groups of people of various backgrounds and beliefs.   This is a strength in one way, as it keeps the focus on the main things - Jesus, salvation, witnessing, etc.   But it is a weakness in that everyone has to stay at or near the lowest common denominator and it is hard to find ways of sharpening your iron if everyone else dismisses the idea of 6-day creation (not a problem in our church) or the idea that one should be active in __________ (again, fill in the blank).   One can't get real deep sometimes, because the fellowship has to stay on the main 10 beliefs level.

Just some thoughts. 

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