Religion plays a stronger role in the US, I agree. And much of that has to do with the Puritans -- they left England, and came here. We are STILL dealing with laws and customs as a direct result of their influence. Blue laws, for example. No buying alcohol on Sunday. Different hours of store operation on Sunday -- and not too long ago that stores were closed completely, and more as a result of the Puritan heritage.
The work ethic is a result too.
Puritans worked and prayed. And they didn't survive as a group due to the extreme nature of their beliefs. But, the influence is still with us.
Thus the Puritan heritage has influence in our society, and determines ideologies about recovery too. The moral heritage of the "evil" of drinking...is still with us.
Personally, I think what one DOES has moral significance. Not what one is.
(I'll probably get bashed for that one, so, be gentle.
)
Shalom!