Americans Think Relgion Losing Influence in General, Think Religion Should Have More Influence in Politics and Government...

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Purveyor of Truth

Americans believe religion's influence in life is waning and that it is a bad thing. Quite possibly this is why the political sector, particularly republicans, believe religion should take a larger part in the nation's politics and governance. I can't help thinking a couple of things, 1) it's unfortunate there is no Thomas Jefferson to breathe some common sense into the religionists, and 2) how do those who think we need more religion in government square there concern with cultures they criticize for having too much religion in government. It's hard not to think those with the opinion we need more religion in government really haven't thought at all.

Pew ResearchReligion & Public Life Project -Nearly three-quarters of the public (72%) now thinks religion is losing influence in American life, up 5 percentage points from 2010 to the highest level in Pew Research polling over the past decade. And most people who say religion’s influence is waning see this as a bad thing.

Perhaps as a consequence, a growing share of the American public wants religion to play a role in U.S. politics. The share of Americans who say churches and other houses of worship should express their views on social and political issues is up 6 points since the 2010 midterm elections (from 43% to 49%). ...

Click on box below to open chart.


Complete report BELOW THE FOLD.

Via: Memeorandum

Comments

  1. Jerry CritterMon Sep 22, 07:04:00 PM EDT

    I think we need less religion in government...and maybe more government in religion.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Les CarpenterMon Sep 22, 07:12:00 PM EDT

    Jerry, religion has no place in government and government has n place in religion as long as it is peaceful and breaks no laws.

    Oh, and taxing religious organizations might be a sensible thing to do.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jerry CritterMon Sep 22, 08:34:00 PM EDT

    Taxing is one if those government in religion things.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jerry CritterMon Sep 22, 08:34:00 PM EDT

    Taxing is one if those government in religion things.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Shaw KenaweTue Sep 23, 09:00:00 AM EDT

    "...religion has no place in government..." But it does, and Americans don't mind, so long as it's the Christian religion:

    "In GOD We Trust," "...one nation, under GOD, indivisible...," (hand on Bible)"...the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me GOD." "GOD Bless America," every session of Congress is opened by a prayer from different religions, but religion, nevertheless, religious institutions are tax exempt, because GOD.

    We don't to look at the evidence, but it's there. We are a nation that has no problem with mixing religion and government. We have always done that, and probably will for the foreseeable future.

    I agree, Les, with taxing religious institutions. No one seems to care that people who do not hold any religious beliefs are FORCED to make up in their taxes for the monies cities, towns loose by allowing religious institutions to continue to not pay taxes.

    Remember how Hobby Lobby and its friends howled about their religious rights being trampled because of the birth control issue connected with Obamacare? But no one ever talks about how we allow religious organizations special privileges that EVERYONE has to pay for, even those who do not believe.

    We're a silly country.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. dmarksWed Sep 24, 01:51:00 PM EDT

      I would agree that religion has no place in government, but on the other hand the influence of those like the late REVEREND Dr. King is welcome, at least to me.

      As for the tax dollars, what is really forcing us to pay such high taxes I'd the rampant greed and excess of the government. If we tax churches (something I agree with in general) many would vanish and much of the rest would focus on minimizing their tax liability. So the coffers of the tax-hounds would not increase that much.

      All the while, we would still be "FORCED" to exhorbitant taxes to feed the gluttony of Leviathan.

      Delete
    2. The Prophet Dervish Z SandersFri Oct 03, 12:42:00 PM EDT

      The influence of those like the REVEREND Al Sharpton is welcome, at least to me.

      Delete
  6. Les CarpenterTue Sep 23, 01:53:00 PM EDT

    I have no problem with some of the stuff you listed, but I have a VERY BIG problem with religion have anything to do with secular law. I can't help but wonder if those who want MORE religous influence in government realize what a slippery slope that is. Probably they do and just don't care.

    Yep Shaw, we indeed are a silly nation. And, we are getting sillier by the year.

    ReplyDelete
  7. BB-IdahoTue Sep 23, 06:50:00 PM EDT

    IMO, religious attempts at steering gov't are not waning . The churches, some more than others, are just another Washington inside lobby group.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Will "take no prisoners" HartTue Sep 23, 07:11:00 PM EDT

    After seeing what's happened in The Middle-East for the past 10-12 decades, I can't see how anybody in his or her right mind would say that we need MORE religion in government. I mean, are we a stupid-assed society or what?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jerry CritterTue Sep 23, 08:52:00 PM EDT

      I think we all agree that a portion of our society is stupid-assed. We just disagree on who makes up that portion.

      Delete
    2. Will "take no prisoners" HartTue Sep 23, 10:51:00 PM EDT

      I vote neocons, socons, and MSNBC-style leftist guttersnipes.

      Delete
    3. Will "take no prisoners" HartTue Sep 23, 10:55:00 PM EDT

      I would also point to the Crimean War which was largely fought over religious grounds and how the end of that was hundreds of thousands of corpses.

      Delete

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