Posted by According to the poll American Attitudes Toward Religion In the Public Square, sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League, 64% of those surveyed agreed with the statement that “religion is under attack” in America. Only 32% disagreed with that statement. Among those who consider themselves fundamentalist / evangelical / charismatic Christians, the result rose to 80%.
As covered in a news story by CNSNews.com, the ADL’s national director, Abraham H. Foxman, said the poll implies that “American public opinion is starkly divided when it comes to the role of religion in the public square.” The story goes on to quote Foxman as saying:
Unfortunately, too many people believe that religion is under attack in America, when in fact according to all measurements, religion is stronger in the United States than in any other Western country.
In this case, Foxman seems to take two facts and use them to draw a false conclusion. Religion may indeed by “stronger” in the minds of individuals of faith, but that doesn’t mean that religion isn’t under attack. All one has to do is go shopping in any store and see that even the words “Merry Christmas” have disappeared, being replaced by the bland “Season’s Greetings.”
According to the poll, 64% agree with the statement that “it is important that religious symbols like the Ten Commandments be displayed in public buildings such as court houses,” while 32 percent disagree. Again, when the poll focused on fundamentalist / evangelical / charismatic Christians, the number rose to 89%.
56% of the overall respondents favor the teaching of the biblical story of creation alongside evolution in public schools as “equally valid explanations for the origins of human life,” according to the poll results found on the ADL web site. The number rose to 70% among evangelical Christians.
In comments following the release of the poll, Foxman added:
It is unfortunate that those who would like to Christianize America seek to use the concerns reflected in this survey toward goals which would turn America into a very different place than the one that has been so open to all religious perspectives.
Open to all religious perspectives? Did I read that correctly? What about the Christian perspective. Christians across America are not looking to shut out religious perspectives, and we are certainly not looking to force or impose our beliefs on others. However, what is clear in today’s society is that many groups seem to be “open to all religious perspectives” except Christian ones. Muslim studies are being allowed, but displays of Christianity are not. I could go on and on.
Despite what Foxman may call “starkly divided” public opinion, it is clear that most Americans are on the same page when it comes to religion our country. We are seeing the slow erosion of religious symbols, practices, and even holidays under the direction of left-leaning groups. This year, let’s all consider putting “Season’s Greetings” in the closet and wish our Christian friends a very Merry Christmas.