Why Are Americans So Religious?

Cheryl Russell is a demographer who specializes in American demographic trends.  She was recently interviewed on Point of Inquiry to explain how demographic information can reveal much about the deeply held beliefs of a society and why there can be such a gap between belief and reality.

During the interview, Russell was asked why Americans are so religious.  63% of Americans believe in god without a doubt, while only 2% claim to be atheists.  This is a staggering statistic because most industrialized nations become more atheistic as they become wealthier, more educated, and more technologically advanced.  Russell said there are numerous theories on this issue.

One is that the first immigrants to America were the most persecuted in Europe so the seeds of religion began with the first settlers.  Religious belief became a part of the origin of the political and economic systems of the colonies, which eventually became states.

Another theory places the Constitution and its separation of church and state as the primary reason.  The prohibition of a state sponsored religion allowed for more diversity and less hostility toward any one particular faith.  Most people growing up during late 18th century would have been taught by their parents that god exists.  If the child became unsatisfied with the faith of his upbringing, he could easily shift toward another one without facing persecution from the state.  The fact that religion was not forced on people allowed for plenty of diversity.  Imagine if as the country expanded the rigid dogmas of Puritanism was not able to transform into a more liberal form of Protestantism that allowed for more rapid economic growth.

Russell lists slavery as having an impact on the religiosity of Americans.  Parts of religious texts were used as justification for slave owners to continue their practice.  Meanwhile, the oppressed found comfort in believing this world was only temporary.  To this day African Americans are the most religious of any group in the United States.

Of course there are more theories than this and perhaps some combination of the above can be used.  Cheryl Russell believes that the biggest reason for religion in America is peer pressure.  She says that when a critical mass of people believe something, others will be pressured, directly or indirectly, to believe too.  Why do only 2% of people claim to be atheists when asked in the Federal Census?  There is a stigma in the United States with atheism.  57% of Americans believe that in order to be a moral person you have to believe in god.  Russell thinks that many of the 35% of people in the Census who have doubts about the existence of god are afraid to take a stand as atheists because they are in an interview situation and think they are being judged in some way.


A link to the interview on Point of Inquiry