The Debate Continues: Is America is Too Religious?

Introduction As America is a nation born of the pursuit for religious freedom, it follows that religion is tightly woven into the fabric of the nation’s history. Although the First Amendment maintains separation of church and state, the federal sphere contains ample references to religion as a basic concept, from currency to the pledge of allegiance. Religion also plays a large role in political and social discourse, as evidence by the polarized response to the Supreme Court’s June 26th decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. The ruling legalized same-sex marriage across the country, spurring celebration in the realm of civil rights, but also driving concern over religious freedom. On February 7, 2007, Intelligence Squared US (IQ2US) called on a group of expert panelists to address whether religion plays too large a role in American government and society, debating the motion, “America is Too Damn Religious.”

Is America is Too Religious? Introducing the topic, IQ2US chairman Robert Rosenkranz stated, “I was looking at some opinion polls taken abroad in preparation for my remarks tonight and I find that sixty percent of respondents in France and Holland think that America is too religious. And people who think that also tend to be pretty anti-American. In Pakistan, sixty percent of people are anti-American and they consider that we're not religious enough. They're offended by the secular nature of our culture. So maybe we can't win or maybe we've got it just right. What has been called our civil religion has a sacred history in America. Words from the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self evident. That we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights. The Gettysburg Address, “four score and seven”, invokes the cadences of the Bible. Our Thanksgiving, our major national holiday, thanks providence for America and invites us to meditate on our meaning. The Fourth of July celebrates liberty, Memorial Day - sacrifice. The moral imperatives of religion lead to an outpouring of support for victims of genocide in Rwanda. For victims of AIDS in Africa. For victims of national disasters anywhere on the planet. For a large and increasing number of Americans, Evangelical or Pentecostal churches give them what they need to live more responsible, more energetic, more meaningful lives. But as Mahatma Gandhi said, “Those who say that religion has nothing to do with politics, do not know what religion is.” And our politics seem to have a great deal to do with religion these days. Controversies persist over gay marriage, stem cell research. The under God language of the Pledge of Allegiance. Vouchers for parochial school students. The fitness for a Mormon to run for President of the United States. Are these normal issues in the usual force of political discourse? Or are they evidence that America is indeed too damn religious?”

Conclusion Although the number of individuals unaffiliated with any faith has risen in recent years, the majority of Americans still identify as religious. Debates over religion, its implications for key social issues, and its role in political decision-making continue across the country and on the IQ2US online poll. Cast your vote: America is Too Damn Religious – IQ2 DebatesAmerica is Too Damn Religious – IQ2 Debates