I thought Rockzmom's comment was good though!
Particularly after I make a snidy comment about this American practice in schools (allegiance oath etc) which really isn't my business and probably has a lot to be said for it. She gave a dignified response.

And it's true that America has represented a dream and a way for people to get away from all the problems in Europe and elsewhere, and start afresh. Europe was certainly a MESS when the big immigration waves to America were in progress. Constant wars, no food in some places, religious opression and an apalling class system where most never got half a chance to improve their lives. America was their way out. I guess it still has that image in some parts of the world, although I wonder if it's really a land of opportuntity even for it's own citizens anymore.

And just think how gutsy people had to be to get up and leave for another continent with only enough money for a one-way ticket, before there were embassies, employment agencies or any welfare provision.. and when they didn't even know the language!

If psychological traits are inheritable, then many modern day American are descendants of some pretty cool people. Plus the stand on religion is good there I think. The "state church" setup that we know from Europe is very convenient and cosy in some ways. But from a religious perspective it does nothing but destroy people's faith and cause political problems.

Americans on thee other hand know that if they want religion they have to make a commitment and put in some effort themselves, since the state won't look after the church buildings and run the whole show on tax money. In Europe, I feel, the church faith is just a slightly more moralistic version of the state, and fills the purpose of carrying out rites of passage. People are quite happy to recite the whole statement of faith from memory while in church, without believing a single word of it.

@rockzmom: I don't have a strong view at issues like prayer in school. It's all the same to me whether it's done or not. Nobody gets religious just from a ritual. I understand it's a big issue in the US though.