The United States Isn’t as Secular as it Thinks
The United States of America was founded on the principle of religious tolerance and freedom, with the New World having been a haven for those fleeing theological persecution. Our Constitution blatantly states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” However, God is mentioned in the Declaration of Independence, every state Constitution, and the Pledge of Allegiance. So, why has religion, specifically Christianity, played a huge role in government, from our currency to Presidential inaugurations to policy itself?
The answer lies within the statistics: 87% of Americans say they believe in God, and 55% of Americans pray regularly, compared to a mere 10% in France and 6% in the United Kingdom. It’s also important to note the theological homogeneity of the United States: 65% of Americans identify as Christian, 26% have no religious beliefs, 2% are Jewish, 2% are Mormon, 1% are Muslim, 1% are Hindu and 1% are Buddhist. America is thus by definition a Christian state.
Government institutions are even more marked by the predominance of Christianity. Every President, except for Theodore Roosevelt, has sworn on the Bible during their inauguration. Through symbolism, this gesture is a testament to how entangled religion and its accompanying values are with the office of the President. Almost every American Commander-in-Chief has identified as Christian, “many have been Episcopalians or Presbyterians, with most of the rest belonging to other prominent Protestant denominations.”
Today, according to the Pew Research Center, 88% of Congresspeople in the United States are self-identified Christians. The current Vice President is known for his piosity and being born-again, evangelical Catholic, and though his actions may not be indicative of religious values, Donald Trump is a proud Christian. We must face the unfortunate reality that government office and Christianity are synonymous in the United States today.
It thus comes as no surprise that Christian views have grown entangled with politics in recent years. Many cite religious beliefs as justification for excessively restrictive laws surrounding abortion and access to reproductive healthcare. Theology has also been deemed a way to justify discrimination against members of the LGBTQ+ community thanks to so-called “religious freedom laws” fathered by Mike Pence. The current administration has failed to defend religious minorities, whether by calling neo-nazis “very fine people” or by proposing a Muslim ban.
Another surprising way that religion influences American politics surrounds Israel. Sounds random, right? Christian Zionism is anchored in the belief that the return of the Jewish people to Israel is the beginning of Jesus’s Second Coming. Many Evangelicals prescribe to this school of thought and are thus fighting to protect Israel at all costs, as they feel that they are saving the land of the Christ and will be sent to Heaven for their combat. As a result, they elect officials who defend Isreal and its interests at all costs. I know it may sound far fetched, but here is a Vox video explaining the topic more in detail. Nonetheless, we cannot deny that religion is part of the political sphere, even though we are theoretically a secular nation.
Furthermore, symbols of our lack of true separation between Church and State are everywhere in daily life. The saying “In God we Trust” is written or engraved on all U.S. currency. While some say that no God is specifically named, leaving the statement up for different interpretations, this argument is anchored in a monotheistic and Westernized view of theology. Certain religions do not have a God, instead having a Prophet or other divine being, while others have hundreds of Gods, each serving a distinct purpose. The God mentioned is therefore clearly Christian. Another example is that public schools often have students state the Pledge of Allegiance, which as stated previously, references God. While these may seem like benign details, they, along with the role of religion in politics, send a vehemently clear message: The United States is not secular, it’s Christian.
