I think that poverty definitely could be diminished, depending on what religion it was replaced with. I think religion played a huge part in the prosperity of our country. Freedom of religion, freedom of thought and the emphasis on independence and liberty - I'm not versed enough on other religions to compare - but my religion, which is Christianity, teaches me that God allows me the freedom to choose right from wrong and that I will be responsible for the consequences of the choices I make. It teaches me that we are all equal in God's eyes. These ideas are what shaped the forefather's thinking when they created this nation. This equality and freedom of choice is what made us prosper.
As far as pollution and overpopulation, these are the pangs of a developing society. When a society is not weighed down with poverty and is going through growth - these things will be gradually worked out.
Good post, alice.
I would also add, that in addition to the principle of freedom that our Founders got directly from Judeo-Christian principles, we have in our country a work ethic that is distinctly Christian, and that has added to our prosperity.
In India, with its Hindu basis of culture, there is no incentive to work because there is no way to rise above one's karma, one's caste, one's lot in life. When you add to that the lack of charity that exists in Christianity, and that people without Christian influence, don't take care of each other, you have immense poverty that could be alleviated with a different basis for its culture.
And, as the saying goes...... the proof is in the pudding. Look at India, then look at America, and the results of the religious ideals of Hinduism and Christianity become quite clear.
Of course, the farther away we get from our roots, and the worse our culture gets with its disregard for human life, the more we will lose our distinction as a compassionate, industrious nation.
That, of course, is where the left wants us to go, and that, unfortunately, is where we are headed at lightning speed under the Obama administration.