Quote: "The First Amendment to the country's Constitution prevents the government from having any authority in religion, and guarantees the free exercise of religion."
A specific look at the role of religion in American politics, including the intersection of religion and party politics, the influence of religious lobbies, and debates over separation of church and state.
Separation of Church and State: The principle that government and religion should be kept separate to ensure religious freedom and prevent government interference in religious matters.
Religious Diversity in America: The wide variety of religions represented in the United States and the impact of this diversity on American politics.
Politics in Religious Organizations: The role of organized religions and their leaders in shaping political ideology and influencing political outcomes.
Religion and Public Opinion: The relationship between religious beliefs and political preferences, and how this affects electoral outcomes.
Faith and Morality in Politics: The intersection of religious values and political decision-making, including debates over ethical issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage, and physician-assisted suicide.
Religious Freedom and Civil Rights: The conflicts and tensions that arise when individual rights and religious beliefs are in conflict, and how the legal system addresses these issues.
Religion and National Identity: The ways in which religious beliefs and national identity are intertwined, and how they shape American politics and culture.
Religion and Foreign Policy: The influence of religious beliefs on American foreign policy, including debates over international diplomacy and military intervention.
Religion and Social Justice: The role of religious organizations and individuals in advocating for social justice, promoting equality, and combating discrimination.
Religious Liberty and the First Amendment: The legal and historical context surrounding the First Amendment's protection of religious freedom and its relationship to American politics.
Evangelical Christians: This group is known for their conservative cultural and social values, and they tend to support the Republican Party.
Mainline Protestants: This group tends to be more liberal on social and political issues and often support the Democratic Party.
Catholic Church: The Catholic Church takes a more conservative stance on social issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage, but is more liberal on economic issues. Their political affiliation varies.
Mormons: Mormons have a strong conservative bent, and many tend to identify as Republican.
Jewish Americans: Jewish Americans have traditionally supported the Democratic Party, but a growing number have shifted to the Republican Party.
Muslims: Muslims tend to support the Democratic Party, and are vocal about issues of civil rights and liberties.
Buddhists and Hindus: These groups tend to be politically liberal and support the Democratic Party, though their influence on American politics has been relatively minor.
Atheists and Agnostics: These groups tend to lean Democratic and are often vocal about issues of separation of church and state.
Quote: "Many faiths have flourished in the United States, including imports spanning the country's multicultural heritage as well as those founded within the country, and have led the United States to become the most religiously diverse country in the world."
Quote: "In the North, most Protestants were Whigs or Republicans; most Catholics were Democrats."
Quote: "The majority of Americans identify themselves as Christians (65% as of 2019)."
Quote: "Another 26% of the adult population identified as having no religious affiliation."
Quote: "A majority of Americans report that religion plays a 'very important' role in their lives, a proportion unusual among developed nations, though similar to other nations in the Americas."
Quote: "According to the American Religious Identification Survey, religious belief varies considerably across the country: 59% of Americans living in Western states report a belief in God, yet in the South (the 'Bible Belt') the figure is as high as 86%."
Quote: "The United States has more Christians than any other country in the world (US is the largest Christian nation in respect to population)."
Quote: "Politicians frequently discuss their religion when campaigning, and many churches and religious figures are highly politically active."
Quote: "It is argued that Jefferson’s win can be linked to him changing the election’s narrative from one about his own religious beliefs, to one about his tolerance of religious freedom."
Quote: "evangelical Christians and conservative Catholics tend to support the Republican Party."
Quote: "A 2019 survey conducted by Pew Research Center found that 54% of adults believe the Republican Party to be 'friendly' toward religion."
Quote: "Every President and Vice President was raised in a family with affiliations with Christian religions."
Quote: "In 2006 Keith Ellison became the first Muslim elected to the federal government, as the representative of Minnesota's 5th congressional district."
Quote: "While there is a common belief that religious voters will always vote Republican, that is not necessarily the case."
Quote: "A Gallup Poll released in 2019 indicated that 60% of Americans would be willing to vote for an atheist as president."
Quote: "Research shows that candidates that are perceived to be religious are considered more trustworthy."
Quote: "A 2020 PRRI American Values Survey found that of Democratic voters, 42% were Protestant while 23% identified as Catholic."
Quote: "The same survey found that of Republican voters, 54% were Protestant while only 18% were Catholic."
Quote: "There has never been a Jewish President or Vice-President."