Looking at the country we live in, America, I find it quite unique.

It is the richest in the world, with the highest defense spending, living up to its nickname as the "superpower"... The national strength and scale of companies are taken for granted as #1 in America.

..... Hence, it is the loudest country.

However, if we look into the cultural foundation of this country, we see that "prayer" and "the Bible" are more prevalent than expected.

During presidential inaugurations, they swear with the Bible in hand, and whenever Republican politicians speak, they conclude with "God bless America."

Sports stars kneel and pray after games, and Hollywood stars say, "God guided me" when they accept Oscars.

This raises a question.

"Did Christian culture make America this prosperous?

If America had been a Buddhist country or an Islamic-centered nation, would it have turned out like this?"

The foundation of America is the 'Puritan work ethic.'

Reading the Bible, waking up early to work, practicing abstinence and saving, and going to church on Sundays.

This way of life was a perfect match for capitalism.

The phrase "Let the lazy not eat" ignited the entrepreneurial spirit, and believing that success in business is a "blessing" made becoming wealthy a matter of faith.

Indeed.

From the beginning, America grew alongside a religion that required daily effort, like the "Parable of the Talents."

But what if...

If America were a Buddhist country?

People would meditate before work, embrace compassion for all beings daily, and pursue non-attachment and no-self.

Walmart probably wouldn't exist, and Silicon Valley startup CEOs might have retreated into the mountains instead of going public.

The Google headquarters would be filled with the scent of incense, and every Friday afternoon, all employees would be meditating.

Amazon might have a philosophy of "delivery in the next life."

It's funny, but Buddhist culture emphasizes inner harmony over excessive competition or materialism.

While these are peaceful and beautiful values, they are somewhat at odds with the 'speed' and 'desire' needed to create a superpower.

Now, let's imagine an America centered around Islamic culture.

Everything prohibited in Islam, such as gambling, alcohol, and the exposure of women's bodies, would be banned, haha.

Praying five times a day towards Mecca, not eating pork (goodbye bacon and spam), and a financial system based on the prohibition of interest.

On Wall Street, "Islamic finance" would have been trending instead of "interest," McDonald's would sell 'halal hamburgers,' and Las Vegas would have been impossible to exist.

The attire of American women might have changed to traditional hijabs or abayas, and community-centered religious norms might have been stronger than Texas gun culture.

Hollywood and the entertainment industry would likely have been uprooted before they could take root. Considering that Islam emphasizes monotheism and prohibits idolatry, America would have become a rigid country prioritizing religion above all else.

One advantage would be that America would have become a country where drugs are not even seen... assuming cartels couldn't exist, haha.

Regardless, if America had embraced a religion other than Christianity, would the most free culture and diverse content in the world have emerged as it has today?

It would have likely changed direction 180 degrees... or at least significantly different.

It's not that Christianity is perfect, but because it was in the driver's seat in the early days of America, the country has driven this way.

Religion serves as both a brake and an accelerator, as well as a steering wheel.

Christian culture set the direction of 'work, succeed, and give,' and America has run with it.

If it were Buddhism, it would have been slower and more peaceful; if it were Islam, it would have been more normative and community-centered.

Conclusion?

It is true that America's current state is possible because it is based on Christianity.

However, in this overly competitive era... I honestly think we might need a bit of Buddhist 'mindfulness' now.

These days, after watching a lot of alternate history on Netflix, I seem to have gotten into the fun of imagining fictional worldviews, haha.