"Anti-religions will teach the opposite: to glue ourselves to shiny things, to lose ourselves in desires and to marvel at the depths of demonic thought" I'd be

"Anti-religions will teach the opposite: to glue ourselves to shiny things, to lose ourselves in desires and to marvel at the depths of demonic thought" I'd be rare though possible (maybe Bertrand Russell as an example) to have good character without having been first taught from a religion sharing the old testament (in the west) or say bhuddism elsewhere. Although as I write above particularly with the literal interpretation of the Bible which leads to bad outcomes, I'm not keen to dismiss religion. That's too much. However it's too much to suggest atheists or agnostic or those who take the Bible more at arms length are just about getting laid, cash, and cars. The basic American character appeals to some charity, being straight with people, hard work, and being competent at something. Family counts too. To the degree it's american its just as likely as being fairly universal no doubt with local areas of emphasis. Of course there are live for today jerks, however, that same character compels us to do the right thing anyway.