For reasons you need not know, I just did something very odd … watched about ten minutes of Oprah. And I watched as she sat and had a bite to eat with a table of atheists. Whoa…..
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\nThe atheists were Danish women in Copenhagen. They talked about the system of government, economy, social services, and so on. And at one point Oprah said “I heard you claim to be happier because you are not involved in religion” or words to that effect. Oprah seemed interested in that, but also said that she just didn’t understand it.<\/p>\n
Overall, this was a very interesting event. Oprah was displaying for her viewing audience, and herself, how things work in a country that is far, far more “civilized” than the US. They even have more closets than we do. And somewhat fewer items to put in them. So they have more room, and ultimately, more happiness.<\/p>\n
I guess the point of the show was to examine “the happiest people in the world” … The Danes… And it turns out that they are less materialistic, more family- and children-focused, have a full range of fully funded public services, minimal difference in wealth between the richest and poorest, a progressive tax system that rewards following a career that suits you rather than one that makes more money, and atheism.<\/p>\n