• 17. Keep God in the public sphere
    Take your position.
    • Oppose
    • Support
    Importance
    • Very
    • Somewhat
Background

Religion in the United States is characterized by a diversity of religious beliefs and practices. Various religious faiths have flourished in the United States. A majority of Americans report that religion plays a very important role in their lives, a proportion unique among developed countries.

The majority of Americans identify themselves as Christians, while close to a quarter claim no religious affiliation. According to a 2014 study by the Pew Research Center, 70.6% of the American population identified themselves as Christians, with 46.5% professing attendance at a variety of churches that could be considered Protestant, and 20.8% professing Roman Catholic beliefs.

(Source: Wikipedia)
Official Democratic Position

"We need a government that stands up for the hopes, values, & interests of working people, and gives everyone willing to work hard the chance to make the most of their God-given potential."

Now the words "God-given" have been removed. The paragraph has been restructured to say this:

"We gather to reclaim the basic bargain that built the largest middle class and the most prosperous nation on Earth--the simple principle that in America, hard work should pay off, responsibility should be rewarded, and each one of us should be able to go as far as our talent and drive take us."

Source: 2008 Democratic Party Platform August 25, 2008
Official Republican Position

We support the public display of the Ten Commandments as a reflection of our history and of our country's Judeo-Christian heritage, and we affirm the right of students to engage in prayer in public schools and to have equal access to public schools and other public facilities to accommodate religious freedom in the public square. We assert every citizen's right to apply religious values to public policy and the right of faith-based organizations to participate fully in public programs.

Source: 2012 Republican Party Platform Aug 27, 2012
Candidates' Choice
Issue in the News
Political Correctness and Its Real Enemies
09/03/2016
Jim Sleeper | The New York Times
Success and truth in religion
08/18/2016
Martin E. Marty | Religion News Service
Using religion to stop gay marriage
08/08/2016
GARY D. ROBERTSON | Ccapitol Hill Blue
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