I am of Swedish descent. Sweden is essentially an atheistic country. I am also familiar with Norway from my Norweigan friends. Norway appears to be more religious than Sweden but otherwise quite similar; and as far as I can tell has more moral fiber and less of a drinking and drug problem.

Now this is just opinion, but from my perspective when people give up the hope of an afterlife they turn to drink and other social liabilities in their despair. They become less ambitious except out of selfishness and more apt to bend or break the law. It is especially important that the rich and powerful fear god if we are to avoid corruption at the top and all the way down. Trickle down theory works especially for corruption. That is what brought Rome down in spite of Christianity.

• Moral issues (10 comm.) is NOT where science and religi disagree - alexander - April 18, 2001 - 20:44 UTC