Religious Issues

Religion affects many areas of society in a profound way. It shapes the moral standards of individuals, which in turn influences the decisions of policy makers. It has played an important role in many movements for social change, including the movement to abolish slavery in the United States. Many religious organizations work to promote social welfare by such actions as assisting the poor, caring for the sick, and sheltering the homeless. Also, in some societies, a shared religion is a powerful social bond that ties people together. However, when people of different faiths live together, religious differences can lead to conflict and even war. Throughout history, societies have attempted to find the appropriate role for religion in public life—one that takes advantage of religion’s many benefits while controlling its divisive tendencies.

American Religious History
Religion has been a basic part of American society since colonial times. In his classic 1835 work Democracy in America, French writer Alexis de Tocqueville notes, "the religious aspect of the country was the first thing that struck my attention." In a 2009 Gallup poll, 56 percent of Americans consider religion to be very important in their lives. Sixty-three percent are members of a church or synagogue, and 31 percent attend some form of religious services at least once a week. However, although religious belief has always been an aspect of American culture, religious orthodoxy has not. People of many faiths make up the nation, and freedom of religion is one of the cornerstones of American democracy.

Freedom of Religion
Many groups of settlers, such as the Pilgrims, came to America so that they could practice their faith freely. However, this did not always make them tolerant of other religious beliefs. Several colonies in the South and in New England established state churches that were supported by public taxes. However, residents of some other colonies strongly opposed attempts to create state