(image courtesy of exchristian.net)
(chart courtesy of ARDA)
Religion in the United States is a complicated issue. Many Americans point to Christian Puritan roots when describing an American religious tradition; there is no doubt that Puritan tradition influences religious tradition, as over 80% of Americans proclaim Christianity as their faith.(1) Puritanism also influences the nation's value system; work ethic, Protestant traditions and prudish ideas about sex have pervaded American culture through the last two centuries.(1)
However, many of the founding fathers were Deists, who believed, "in a God who created the world but has since remained indifferent to it."(2) Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin are some of the founding fathers who, inspired by the Age of Enlightmentand Deist philosophy, added wording to the first ammendment to the U.S. Consititution that states:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."(2)
This wording in the Bill of Rights, the first ten ammendments to the U.S. Constitution, have led to vigorous debate over the role religion should play in American society and government.
However, in a country that prides itself as a nation of immigrants, relgious diversity is something that Americans, in general, respect. The American government has generally protected freedom of religion, as both a part of Puritan history and the legacy of the founding fathers.
Note the percentage breakdown of religions practiced in the U.S. Approximately 11% of Americans are agnostic, meaning that they are not sure about the existence of God or do not practice any particular religious faith.
Works Cited:
1) ARDA.com. Dir. Roger Finke.2008. The Association of Relgious Data Archives, Pennsylvania State University.http://www.thearda.com
2) Dicionary.com. 2010.www.dictionary.com/deism
