Half of Americans back stronger role of religion in society

Just what the world needs, more religious interference. Practice whatever religion you like but don't let it dictate to the rest of us.

And quite a few more back fully automatic weapons, neither benefit society in any way. So I'd discount their opinion. Unless I was wearing waders, a bullet proof vest, and a pocket full of stones. I believe someone one once said turn the other cheek...well that's worked out well.

A bit silly.  what "religion"?  There are multiple religious communities in the US, many of them with widely divergent views.  Which one do the 50% want to have a stronger role?

As long as it is a US approved religion: if not the US will  place sanctions and invade.

Europe has it right, as does Japan in this regard, largely secular societies that have long realized fundamentalism is a plague on society.

Where to begin?  Do Americans really believe that God has given them the nod over all other people?  Do they think that God gives the nod to a country perpetually at war and killing millions over the last 100 years as his chosen people?  And talking of chosen people, does this not bring USA into conflict with Israel?  After all, are they not the special ones?

In my opinion, if there is a God, he or she will not look down on war mongering  countries and say: your my man!!

What I'd like to ask is "what role" ?

Religious texts were written centuries ago. They are hardly fit to give any advice in this day and age. If they eventually contain some science, it's been debunked years ago. The morale they contain is outdated at best, repugnant most of the time, and in some cases downright disgusting.

American patriots are always putting the Founding Fathers on a pedestal, but omit the fact that it was them who created the separation of church and state.

USA is heading to become a new Iran. All they need is there own Ayatollahs

Europe has it right, as does Japan in this regard, largely secular societies that have long realized fundamentalism is a plague on society

Japan has it right? The Japanese essentially have no religions per se. There is a tiny Christian minority and even smaller Muslim and Jewish ones. Others are virtually invisible.

Throwing “fundamentalism” into the topic is an old ploy. Every religious person is supposed to be a fundamentalist? Sorry, but they aren’t.

Religious texts were written centuries ago. They are hardly fit to give any advice in this day and age.

Some were written thousands of years ago. That fact does nothing to detract from wisdom they may contain and is still relevant today. Keep in mind that last year was not “Year 0”. What a display of forehead smacking ignorance of history.

In the name of "God" too many people have been killed throughout history and just the other day on Easter Sunday. 

More like in the name of “We want what you have so if you want to live, hand it over! (We may kill you for the fun of it anyway).”

Some were written thousands of years ago. That fact does nothing to detract from wisdom they may contain and is still relevant today.

It absolutely does. Particularly when these texts promote slavery, rape, incest, racism and homophobia. The little "wisdom" that it may contain is nothing that can't be found elsewhere.

Japan has it right? The Japanese essentially have no religions per se.

Reverse that and my answer would be yup.

Throwing “fundamentalism” into the topic is an old ploy. Every religious person is supposed to be a fundamentalist? Sorry, but they aren’t.

We're not talking about "every religious person," we're talking about half of Americans who advocate a "stronger role of religion in society." And, yes, those people are overwhelmingly fundamentalist Christians.

The question is which religion. With more islamic immigration you get a population where religion is 100% central to every part of life, including of course politics and law.

Religions which have separation between church and state are obviously not a problem.

This article paints everything with a broad brush.

There was G.W. Bush doing God's work attacking Iraq and Afghanistan, killing hundreds of thousands in some kind of "you are with us, or against us " rage.

That statement was so often debunked and msnbc spliced his original comment. GW did not say, God told him to attack Afghanistan.

More recently, the Trump Secretary of State stating "Trump is doing God's work!"

Difficult to think about the current lying cheating president and religion in the same breath.

Why? At least he didn’t go around pretending like he was the perfect Christian like another President who tried in public to give the appearance he’s God fearing, but was a skirt chaser the entire time.

Then there are many religions which won't give equal rights and protection to its followers. Like the LGBT community, or like Muslim and Jewish women.

What a load of manure. This is 100% not try. As a former transplanted California resident, the Gay community is so overly protected, it’d the Christians that are on the endangered list as well as men and White men in particular.

Or like Jain which bans menstruating monthly period women from entering temples. 

Honestly, there must be a 100% separation of religion and state.

Desr lord....

That statement was so often debunked and msnbc spliced his original comment. GW did not say, God told him to attack Afghanistan.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/10_october/06/bush.shtml

Western civilization was founded and informed by christian values and ethics.

Americans are scaring me again. Their right wing is taking over and their neo christian are saying the darnest things. http://churchandstate.org.uk/2017/11/conservative-christian-pastor-calls-for-executing-all-gay-people-by-christmas-day/

The Founding Fathers were all religious men. They knew about the dangers of religion too.

Many people find comfort in their religions and those beliefs don't cause any harm. As long as they don't harm anyone else, it is their time and money to waste.

Morality and religion aren't tied together.

Personally, I'd like "freedom from religion" to be in the Bill of Rights, not "freedom of religion."

We've never lied to our kids about gods, God, Santa, Tooth Fairy, storks, or the Easter Bunny. Kids being kids, this has causes some uncomfortable interactions with other adults because most people seem to assume everyone believes in some bearded guy pulling hidden strings.

I have no idea what it means to have "more religion in society."

Religious fundamentalism/fanaticism is a terrible man made perspective of "following" ones own personal religious beliefs. Religion is about governance of self, not of others. And the perception that one's religious beliefs should govern others in society leads to the exact problem of fundamentalism and fanaticism we see in theocratic governments like in the ME and Indonesia etc...

Funny thing is that the US was founded by colonizers from Europe that wanted to leave the religious control of the church at the time so they could follow their own brand of "Christian beliefs".

State should never ever be controlled by religion and religion should never be overcome with state. Hence the importance of "separation between church and state."

What a load of manure. This is 100% not try. As a former transplanted California resident, the Gay community is so overly protected, it’d the Christians that are on the endangered list as well as men and White men in particular.

Hmm, interesting enough that you're finally exposing your blatant "white nationalist" inspired tendencies. Like I said, racism is exceptionally alive and well in the US. Just not as subtle as it used to be. It's also convenient that racism, prejudice, bigotry, and "conservative Christian" have been going hand in hand for literally centuries.

"I'm not racist, I have black friends and minority friends too..." right? We've heard that cover and back track before.

If the majority want more religion in their lives then why not?

The Christian religion is a good base to start!

Hey ho... Leadership issues within the US, so looking now to the Almighty...

And you are the American who voted him into office.

Proudly.

"George, go and fight those terrorists in Afghanistan." And I did, and then God would tell me, ”

That was so debunked from the liberals. Lol

https://youtu.be/5G0hSZ1NXe4

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4320586.stm

No it's not.

I think it is.

Christians and white men are not an endangered species

Actually, they are in many parts of the world.

You proudly voted for President Clinton but criticise him in your comment. Confusing again?

Nope.

A good portion of Americans in favor of stronger role of religion society don't even know what's in the Bible. They just cherry-pick verses they've heard that support their beliefs while ignoring everything else that's inconvenient for them. If we had to live by that book, 99.9% of us would have been stoned to death by now.