Religion has had a big role in American society ever since discovery of the continent by Columbus in 1492. Although early immigrants and settlers (Columbus included) mostly used (or abused) spreading Christianity as a pretext to loot gold and other riches out of this New World, religion has been actually influential in shaping American civilization and culture. Indeed, it was the surge of immigrants fleeing 17th century Europe's religious and political persecution that laid the foundations of what we know today as the United States of America.
The irony is the very people who had sought refuge in the New World to build a city on the hill, soon found themselves committed to enforce their own (sometimes narrow-minded) interpretation of pure Christianity and repressing others who would choose to think differently. Such incidents in America and precedents in old Europe led the Founding Fathers to consider freedom of religion in the Ammendments to the Constitution. Still, religious values are intertwined in American life and culture (and even legislations) and despite waxing and waning over the history of the US, religion will continue to be a cornerstone of American society.
In a poll conducted by The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life in 2002, nearly six-in-ten Americans (58%) think the strength of American society is based on the religious faith of its people. Just over a third (36%) take the opposing view. Americans are relatively positive about people of other faiths, but they tend to look more negatively at those without faith. Atheists, in particular, are viewed unfavorably by a 54% majority.
In a recent survey in 2006, the forum shows that many Americans are uneasy with mix of religion and politics. Still, the same survey denotes that Americans overwhelmingly consider the U.S. a Christian nation: Two-in-three (67%) characterize the country this way. A decade ago, Americans were somewhat less likely to tie the nation's identity to Christianity. In 1996, 60% considered the U.S. a Christian nation. Despite all concerns about separation of Church and State, many Americans prefer to describe themselves the way mentioned in American Pledge of Allegiance: One Nation under God.
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The complete report on Public Opinion on Religion and Public Life (PDF file), could be downloaded here.
The report on Americans views on Religion and Politics could be viewed here. The complete report (PDF file) could be downloaded here.
The irony is the very people who had sought refuge in the New World to build a city on the hill, soon found themselves committed to enforce their own (sometimes narrow-minded) interpretation of pure Christianity and repressing others who would choose to think differently. Such incidents in America and precedents in old Europe led the Founding Fathers to consider freedom of religion in the Ammendments to the Constitution. Still, religious values are intertwined in American life and culture (and even legislations) and despite waxing and waning over the history of the US, religion will continue to be a cornerstone of American society.
In a poll conducted by The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life in 2002, nearly six-in-ten Americans (58%) think the strength of American society is based on the religious faith of its people. Just over a third (36%) take the opposing view. Americans are relatively positive about people of other faiths, but they tend to look more negatively at those without faith. Atheists, in particular, are viewed unfavorably by a 54% majority.
In a recent survey in 2006, the forum shows that many Americans are uneasy with mix of religion and politics. Still, the same survey denotes that Americans overwhelmingly consider the U.S. a Christian nation: Two-in-three (67%) characterize the country this way. A decade ago, Americans were somewhat less likely to tie the nation's identity to Christianity. In 1996, 60% considered the U.S. a Christian nation. Despite all concerns about separation of Church and State, many Americans prefer to describe themselves the way mentioned in American Pledge of Allegiance: One Nation under God.
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The complete report on Public Opinion on Religion and Public Life (PDF file), could be downloaded here.
The report on Americans views on Religion and Politics could be viewed here. The complete report (PDF file) could be downloaded here.
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