Religion can fade away while its values endure. Most "American Values" are basically just puritan ethics. In America, you won't see someone sipping a beer on t

Religion can fade away while its values endure. Most "American Values" are basically just puritan ethics. In America, you won't see someone sipping a beer on the subway for the same reason you see someone take take a 4 week summer vacation, or a nipple on TV. Most of the quirky values that separate us from western europe (like hard work, temperance, abstinence, etc.) can be traced back to our puritan roots.