The United States has an interesting relationship with religion. While it is a nation that touts “freedom to follow whatever religion one chooses” on the one hand, it also has a history steeped in many Protestant rules and traditions. This has led to a very interesting mix of opinions when it comes to the average American citizen’s views on religion. To get a better idea of how Americans feel about religion, take a look at some of these facts recorded during recent studies conducted by the Pew Research Center.  

Congressional Representatives Tend To Be Christian

While the individuals who fill out the ranks of Congress come from all parts of the vast and varied landscape of the United States, the majority have identified as Christian. According to a Pew study conducted in 2021, almost 90% of representatives stated they were some form of Christian. Interestingly, this was true of both parties. Even though Republicans are painted as more religious by the media, about 80% of elected Democrats in Congress identified as Christian. The denominations represented the most across both Republican and Democrat representatives were Protestant and Roman Catholic. 

Most Americans Agree With the Separation of Church and State

In America, there is a concept known as the “separation of church and state.” Essentially, this means that the government cannot intervene where religion is concerned and religion cannot influence the decisions of the government. While many government officials try to shoehorn Christian morals and beliefs into policies, the average American agrees that these entities should be kept separate.

According to surveys conducted between 2018 and 2022, roughly 75% of Americans believe in the separation of church and state. However, Republicans are far more likely to say that the government should uphold religious tenets. 

God Is Not Mentioned in the Constitution 

Though it is considered the most important document connected to the way the United States is run, the Constitution makes absolutely no reference to God. Despite this, references to God have been forced into a variety of other documents connected to America. For example, paper currency features the phrase “In God We Trust,” while the Pledge of Allegiance, written only in 1892, makes explicit references to America being “one nation under God.” 

Basically, the founders of America believed heavily in religious freedom. However, politicians and popular figures who have emerged in the last 150 years have used many opportunities to fuse Christian messages and symbols into American culture. This has led to many people falsely believing that all government documents, including the Constitution, refer to America being a Christian nation.

The Presidents Were Largely Christian 

When John F. Kennedy was elected president in 1961, one of the biggest “scandals” discussed about the young man was that he was Catholic. This is due to the fact that almost all presidents have been Christian. In fact, Joe Biden is the only other Catholic to have filled the position. Interestingly, two prolific presidents had no religious affiliation whatsoever. According to historians, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln both chose to keep their religious beliefs out of public discourse. A majority of the presidents who have identified as Christian have had Protestant backgrounds. 

Another interesting point is that not all presidents were sworn into office using a Bible. Notable examples include Calvin Coolidge, Theodore Roosevelt, and Thomas Jefferson. Though it might not be mandatory to use the Bible, surveys suggest the visual matters to the average American. About 55% of polled individuals believe having some kind of religious connection makes a difference in how favorably they view the president. While there haven’t been confirmed atheist or agnostic presidents, many Americans state they would not vote for such a person. 

A Complicated Relationship 

America has a fascinating relationship with religion, though what the people believe does not always reflect what government officials push. By looking at Pew studies, it becomes easier to see what the average American believes about religious pursuits.