[engideNedmupe]

Why is it that historically protestant countries are (roughly speaking) the most succesful in Europe today?

Of course there are a few exceptions, but protestant Northern Europe is mostly in better shape than Catholic Southern Europe or Orthodox Eastern Europe.

Will the rise of atheism change this, or is the cultural legacy of religion too powerful?

[vesiasmepay]

It is completely obvious that any echonomic succeed has to do with religious believings.

[HaremShaih]

I doubt the great influence of religion. Rather, people choose a religion that best fit their mentality. There is no rule that regions are richer Protestant from Catholic.
For example, Ireland is now higher GDP per capita than the United Kingdom. Catholic regions of Germany are richer than protestant regions.

[CiccoineFed]

Why is it that historically protestant countries are (roughly speaking) the most succesful in Europe today?

Of course there are a few exceptions, but protestant Northern Europe is mostly in better shape than Catholic Southern Europe or Orthodox Eastern Europe.

Will the rise of atheism change this, or is the cultural legacy of religion too powerful?

Well, the northernmost protestant countries were longest pagan countries, maybe that is the ultimate reason for success.

Due to the accelerating freedom from the clerical and societal brainwash, the 1/5 of Finns are already non-christians; nowadays the separation rate is 1 % per year!
http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirkost...minen_Suomessa

[mQb0aVZe]

The map is wrong. We are not Orthodox Christians, but rather Oriental Orthodox.

[anenselog]

For example, Ireland is now higher GDP per capita than the United Kingdom. Catholic regions of Germany are richer than protestant regions.

Irelands wealth is new and unique in it's history. Add to this that the Irish wealth is the produce of massive EU funding and support. Ireland is not a catholic exception to the rule but part of the rule.

[erepsysoulptnw]

The map is wrong. We are not Orthodox Christians, but rather Oriental Orthodox.

You think anybody knows the difference or cares?

[tussinelde]

Irelands wealth is new and unique in it's history. Add to this that the Irish wealth is the produce of massive EU funding and support. Ireland is not a catholic exception to the rule but part of the rule.

European wealth is new and unique in her History too...

[xgnuwdd]

nowadays the separation (FROM THE CHURCH) rate is 1 % per year!

It's too slow in my opinion.

[ticfarentibia]

Because there are more historical factors than just religion.

[Imampaictjg]

European wealth is new and unique in her History too...

Ok, everything is subjective...

[Wavgbtif]

Why is it that historically protestant countries are (roughly speaking) the most succesful in Europe today?

Of course there are a few exceptions, but protestant Northern Europe is mostly in better shape than Catholic Southern Europe or Orthodox Eastern Europe.

Will the rise of atheism change this, or is the cultural legacy of religion too powerful?

It is apparent on a world level too

[KuRoregioNka]

Why is it that historically protestant countries are (roughly speaking) the most succesful in Europe today?

Of course there are a few exceptions, but protestant Northern Europe is mostly in better shape than Catholic Southern Europe or Orthodox Eastern Europe.

Will the rise of atheism change this, or is the cultural legacy of religion too powerful?

It's not religion. Anglicans are basicaly catholics with a Pope of their own (HM), catholic german is more prosperous than the protestant one and scandinavian demography is too low to take it into consideration (IMHO) The Netherlands would be a good example, but they were doing really good before the Reformation.

The keys -among other minor issues- lie on good educational systems, laissez faire and political stability.

Traditionaly, atheism/agnosticism has been linked in catholic and orthodox Europe to anticapitalist ideologies, so...Well, I have the vibe this is changing in Spain, many of my pro-market friends don't give a fuck about religion.

[BoBoMasterDesign]

It's not religion. Anglicans are basicaly catholics with a Pope of their own (HM), catholic german is more prosperous than the protestant one and scandinavian demography is too low to take it into consideration (IMHO) The Netherlands would be a good example, but they were doing really good before the Reformation.

The keys -among other minor issues- lie on good educational systems, laissez faire and political stability.

Traditionaly, atheism/agnosticism has been linked in catholic and orthodox Europe to anticapitalist ideologies, so...Well, I have the vibe this is changing in Spain, many of my pro-market friends don't give a fuck about religion.

You don't even have to believe in god to be an Anglican.

---------- Post added 2012-05-31 at 17:36 ----------

It is apparent on a world level too

[Talicoabilk]

Irelands wealth is new and unique in it's history. Add to this that the Irish wealth is the produce of massive EU funding and support. Ireland is not a catholic exception to the rule but part of the rule.

If someone has calculated the average wealth of the Protestant and Catholic region in Europe, a Protestant would be higher. It's true. But there are many Catholic regions that are rich: Southern Germany, Austria, northern Italy, some regions of France and Spain.
On the other hand, not all Protestant regions have always been rich. For example, Finland or Norway wealth seems quite recent date.

[grudabor]

scandinavian demography is too low to take it into consideration (IMHO)

Why? How big should a population be then? There are about 25 million people in the Nordic countries combined.

[emexiagog]

Why? How big should a population be then? There are about 25 million people in the Nordic countries combined.

I am afraid 25 millions is not a lot of people, considering the areas of the Nordic countries...

[zCLadw3R]

We all know why catholic countries have high population density.

[GroosteFoessy]

I think that protestantism isn't the cause but the consequence for the most part. The "protestant work ethic" existed long before Martin Luther. I think this work ethic has evolved in Northern Europe because of the harsh climate and the need to work efficiently as a group.

Frank Chodorov:

I am afraid 25 millions is not a lot of people, considering the areas of the Nordic countries...

It isn't when compared to the rest of Europe but why can't you take them into consideration because of that low population density? The reason why there are so few people here is the climate and infertile soil compared to more southern latitudes in Europe.

[imictiorume]

You think anybody knows the difference or cares?

Well around 70 million people are oriental orthodox. Yeah I'm sure ignorant people won't care.