God isn't in our corner, Americans say
Posted September 17, 2006
God exists. But He isn't an American. He doesn't vote Republican. And He doesn't have a soft spot for the United States. That's the finding of the Sep. 2006 Baylor Religion Survey. In the poll of 1,721 Americans, only 18.6 percent said they agreed with the statement that "God favors the United States" and 68.5 percent disagreed. No major group said they believe God is in America's corner. Among evangelicals, only 26 percent believe God has a geopolitical favorite in the Americas.
On the government front, Americans say God is neither an elephant nor a donkey. Only four percent said that God favors a political party. Republicans (8.6 percent) were more likely than Independents (0.9 percent) and Democrats (0.4 percent) to believe God is partisan.
People of all faiths overwhelmingly agreed that God has no "R" or "D" behind his name. Evangelicals (8.1 percent) were most likely to believe in a partisan deity. Only 1.6 percent of Mainline Protestants and 3.2 percent of Catholics share that view.
Baylor isn't the only group polling about religion as the 2006 mid-term elections approach. The Pew Research Center for the People and the Press surveyed 2,003 people and released its results on Aug. 24. Among its findings: More than two-thirds (69 percent) of Americans believe "liberals have gone too far in trying to keep religion out of schools and government." A slight plurality say conservative Christians have "gone too far in trying to impose their religious values on the country" (49 percent yes, 43 percent no.)
Most Americans (67 percent) say the United States is a Christian nation, but they're not ready for a theocracy. Asked which should have more influence on U.S. laws, 32 percent said the Bible. A strong majority (63 percent) said the will of the American people is most important.
Archived Comments
Posted by:
Truefaith |
September 17, 2006 at 04:08 PM
When I went through a the darkest days of my life, I called upon God and asked for strength and guidance. As I look back I wonder how I made through that period. I made it because I had help. I don't know what God has in store for me but the one thing I can say when I asked for help from Him he was there. My grandmother used to tell me to be careful what you ask for, you might just get it. I can look back into my past and see the wisdom of those words. If you want God to be part of your life, the first thing you have to do is talk to Him.
God doesn't have to be in "our" corner.
As long as you have a personal relationship with God, He is in "your" corner.
America is a Christian nation and I get a little frustrated when Merry Christmas becomes debatable. A Theocracy is very bad for a country, whether Christian or Muslim, and I hope that our political leaders don't continue to make steps in that direction.
America is NOT a christian nation in any way, shape, or form, though many chirstian groups want to make it be one.
We are a secular republic most of whose members express at least a nominal allegiance to some branch of the christian faith.
That does not make the US a christian nation. The difference is analogous to the difference betweeen the government of, say, Turkey, a secular government the majority of whose members are Islamic, as opposed to say, Iran or Saudi Arabia, which are Islamic governments.
Theocracies, including christian ones, have not typically fared well in history.
Confused Chris,
Christmas is a pagan holiday that revolves around the worship of trees and Odin. Don't spew all that "Christmas under attack" Bill O'Whiney BS.
You won't find a sympathetic ear here.
America is a country of religions. Whether it's christian, muslim, buddhist, atheist, agnostic, we all have a set of our own beliefs. My generation (X) has begun to get away from all the labels of belonging to an organized religion or political party. Many people like to believe in some things one party or group has to say but not neccesarily all of it. I believe in the word of God. I dont always believe in the word of man, so do the word of God and the word of man always go hand in hand? NO. We have the privilege of celebrating holidays and sundays however we want. Even though the country was founded by men that had mostly christian beliefs, they came here to have freedom from people shoving things in their faces; I dont believe our Nation today is one they would neccesarily be happy with. People should show other people respect and kindness instead of criticism and judgements. We would all benefit from less cynicism and intolerance. "Inasmuch as ye done to the least of these, ye have done it unto me."
As a side note, Christianity remains vibrant and expands when the sharp edge of the sword of unsympathetic government is pointed in its direction. On the other hand, when Christianity becomes comfortably accepted--and ensconced in government, it's potency withers.