Today is the day of the National Prayer Breakfast, and Gallup has just released a new poll that finds Americans polarized on the desired influence of religion. A plurality, just 39% believe the role organized religion has in America today should not change, while 29% of Americans want to see organized religion play less of a role, and an equal number, 29%, want to see organized religion play a greater role.
Over the course of three years, since January, 2008, a ten-point split in the “more influence” vs. “less influence” has evened, with 34% in 2008 wanting religion to have less influence, and 24% wanting religion to have less.
Gallup reports that, “Americans are more satisfied with the influence of organized religion than any of the other seven aspects of life in the United States rated in the poll, with the exception of “the overall quality of life,” which tops the list.”
“Of the 36% of Americans who are dissatisfied with the influence of organized religion, most feel that organized religion should have less influence, rather than more.”
Unsurprisingly, 47% of conservatives and 39% of Republicans would like to see religion have more influence, and 49% of liberals and 42% of Democrats would like to see religion have less influence.
The strongest voices came from those who have “no religion”: 68% saying religion should have less influence.
While this is disappointing news, Gallups adds, “even among the most religious Americans, less than half say organized religion’s influence should be expanded.”
This latest poll seems to reverse a trend. In December of last year, Gallup found a “Near-Record High See Religion Losing Influence in America,” and in May of last year, Gallup reported “Increasing Number Have No Religious Identity.”
While religion and civil rights for the LGBTQ community can work together, religion is used as the greatest factor in forcing our second-class citizen status.