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I just read this article, titled "Mixing God and Politics: Where do Americans Really Stand?", in the local paper on Sunday. In general, the article discusses a recent survey on the topic of the 'division between church and state' in America, and how it is affecting current politics. It references a "poll conducted by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press and the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life released August 24th", and was written by Charles Haynes for the 'First Amendment Center'. I quote portions of the article that discuss the poll statistics directly.
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"According to the survey, nearly half of Americans (49 percent) believe conservative Christians have gone too far in trying to impose their religious values on the country. At the same time, 69 percent think that liberals have gone too far in trying to keep religion out of schools and government."
"Though most Americans are religious (and most think religious influence on our society is a good thing), few identify with religious political movements on the left or right. Only 7 percent call themselves members of the 'religious left', and only 11 percent say they belong to the 'religious right.'"
"...67 percent of Americans see the United States as a Christian nation. But it isn't clear what people mean by that description - or even if they think it is a good or bad thing....the survey doesn't say."
"...the poll does reveal that most Americans reject the views of Religious Right leaders such as Roy Moore (former chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court) who argue that biblical law must be the supreme law of the land."
"Americans were asked 'which should be the more important influence on the laws of the United States? Should it be the Bible or should it be the will of the American people, even when it conflicts with the Bible?' A large majority, 63 percent, said the will of the people should prevail."
"Christian Americans, like Americans in general, are a diverse group with a broad range of views about both religion and politics. About a third of all Christians (32 percent) describe themselves as 'liberal' or 'progressive' Christians. And 38 percent identify themselves as 'born again' or evangelical Christians. But contrary to media steroetypes, these labels overlap for many Americans. More than a third (36 percent) of evangelicals, for example, also describe themselves as liberal or progressive Christians."
"Moreover, people who call themselves 'liberal or progressive Christians' are not necessarily politically liberal. In fact, 26 percent say they are politically conservative, while 27 percent are politically liberal and 45 percent characterize themselves as moderates."
"Republicans (who count evangelicals as a core constiuency) have lost ground, with 47 percent of Americans now saying that the GOP is friendly to religion as contrasted with 55 percent last year."
"Only 26 percent of Americans say the Democratic Party is friendly to religion; just three years ago, 42 percent saw Democrats that way - a precipitous slide."
"Meanwhile, 42 percent say the Democratic Party is neutral toward religion and 20 percent say unfriendly."
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It seemed that in many threads on this section the issue of 'what are the actual numbers?' has been addressed many times. Politicians have been referring to this particular release in order to determine how they will address various demographics during upcoming elections. It would seem, however, that America is still somwhat unsure of what the division between Church and State should really mean, or how religion and politics should collectively influence society.
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"According to the survey, nearly half of Americans (49 percent) believe conservative Christians have gone too far in trying to impose their religious values on the country. At the same time, 69 percent think that liberals have gone too far in trying to keep religion out of schools and government."
"Though most Americans are religious (and most think religious influence on our society is a good thing), few identify with religious political movements on the left or right. Only 7 percent call themselves members of the 'religious left', and only 11 percent say they belong to the 'religious right.'"
"...67 percent of Americans see the United States as a Christian nation. But it isn't clear what people mean by that description - or even if they think it is a good or bad thing....the survey doesn't say."
"...the poll does reveal that most Americans reject the views of Religious Right leaders such as Roy Moore (former chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court) who argue that biblical law must be the supreme law of the land."
"Americans were asked 'which should be the more important influence on the laws of the United States? Should it be the Bible or should it be the will of the American people, even when it conflicts with the Bible?' A large majority, 63 percent, said the will of the people should prevail."
"Christian Americans, like Americans in general, are a diverse group with a broad range of views about both religion and politics. About a third of all Christians (32 percent) describe themselves as 'liberal' or 'progressive' Christians. And 38 percent identify themselves as 'born again' or evangelical Christians. But contrary to media steroetypes, these labels overlap for many Americans. More than a third (36 percent) of evangelicals, for example, also describe themselves as liberal or progressive Christians."
"Moreover, people who call themselves 'liberal or progressive Christians' are not necessarily politically liberal. In fact, 26 percent say they are politically conservative, while 27 percent are politically liberal and 45 percent characterize themselves as moderates."
"Republicans (who count evangelicals as a core constiuency) have lost ground, with 47 percent of Americans now saying that the GOP is friendly to religion as contrasted with 55 percent last year."
"Only 26 percent of Americans say the Democratic Party is friendly to religion; just three years ago, 42 percent saw Democrats that way - a precipitous slide."
"Meanwhile, 42 percent say the Democratic Party is neutral toward religion and 20 percent say unfriendly."
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It seemed that in many threads on this section the issue of 'what are the actual numbers?' has been addressed many times. Politicians have been referring to this particular release in order to determine how they will address various demographics during upcoming elections. It would seem, however, that America is still somwhat unsure of what the division between Church and State should really mean, or how religion and politics should collectively influence society.
