“10 Facts About Religion and Government in the United States: Pew Research Center Analysis”
The debate over the separation of church and state in the United States has been reignited with recent Supreme Court rulings on religious symbols on public property, prayer in public schools, and state subsidies for religious schools. Pew Research Center surveys have shown that the majority of Americans support keeping religion separate from government policies, although there are differences based on political identity and religious affiliation.
Here are 10 facts about the connection between religion and government in the U.S.:
1. Nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults believe religion should be kept separate from government policies, with majorities of both Democrats and Republicans supporting this idea.
2. Most Americans want churches and other houses of worship to stay out of politics, despite some hearing sermons expressing support for political figures.
3. While the Supreme Court ruled in 1962 that public school teachers cannot lead prayers in the classroom, there are still differing opinions on this issue among U.S. adults.
4. The Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of a high school football coach’s right to pray at midfield following games.
5. Americans are divided on whether local governments should be allowed to display religious symbols on public property.
6. Nearly all state constitutions reference God or the divine, and religious references can be found in the Declaration of Independence, the Pledge of Allegiance, and on U.S. currency.
7. Christmas Day is the only federal holiday that is also a religious holiday, with efforts to recognize other religious holidays being unsuccessful.
8. Almost all U.S. presidents have been Christian, with the majority being Protestant, and most have been sworn in with a Bible.
9. Congress is overwhelmingly Christian, with the majority of representatives identifying as Christian.
10. While the Constitution guarantees that religion can never be a requirement for holding public office, many Americans are unaware of this fact.
Overall, Americans are divided on the extent to which the country’s laws should reflect biblical teachings, with some believing the Bible should influence U.S. laws and others disagreeing. The debate over the separation of church and state continues to be a topic of discussion in the U.S.