Historical Background
The United States was founded by Puritans who largely sought religious freedom, and indeed, many of the Founding Fathers were Deists who believed in a higher power but didn’t necessarily ascribe to any specific religion. Today, The United States Constitution does not expressly name Christianity as the official religion, and there are no laws which specifically designate it as such. Despite this, the practice of Christianity has been closely intertwined with American life for centuries and is frequently associated with the country’s identity.
Practice of Christianity in the US
Today, Christianity is most commonly practiced in the United States. According to the Washington-based Pew Research Center, around 79.8 percent of the country identifies with the Christian faith, with around 46 percent of the population attending Protestant denominations, 20 percent Roman Catholic and 8.8 identifying as “other” Christian. Muslims, Jews, and those followers of Eastern religious like Buddhism and Hinduism, make up only around 4 percent of the population combined.
Many of the nation’s institutions and symbols feature Christian references, such as the phrase “In God We Trust” on currency, the presence of legislative prayers, the use of the Bible for inaugural ceremonies and the celebration of Christmas as a national holiday.
The Debate
Despite the prevalence of Christianity in the US, the debate over whether or not it should be officially recognized as the country’s official religion is a complex one. Proponents of the idea maintain that with Christianity already so widely followed and respected, making it the official religion would ensure it gets the recognition it deserves, while also emphasizing the importance of Christian values in American life.
On the other hand, opponents of the notion point out that such a move would be unconstitutional, ran counter to the idea of religious liberty, and had the potential to marginalize religious minorities. To them, is it clear that even though Christianity might be the majority faith of the nation, officially naming it as such would disregard the freedom of religious expression which has been enshrined in US law since the country’s founding.
Expert Perspectives
According to Prof. Stephen Smith, professor of law at Stanford University, “the Constitution of The United States does not permit Congress to make Christianity or any other religion the official religion. We have a regime based on religious liberty.”
According to Prof. Frances Lee, professor at the University of Denver, “The First Amendment of The United States Constitution enshrines religious freedom, which means that none of the religions practiced in the US – including Christianity – can be officially chosen as the country’s religion. The idea of religious liberty is fundamental to American freedom.”
Analysis and Insights
While Christianity enjoys a privileged status in the US, and the majority of the population affiliate with it, the debate over whether it should become the official religion of the US raises important questions about religious freedom.
The Constitution of The United States makes it clear that no religious denomination can be acknowledged as the official faith, as this would be perceived as a violation of the separation of church and state and an infringement on the freedom of religious expression. As such, it appears unlikely that Christianity will become the officially recognized religion of the US.
Freedom of Religion
Adding Christianity as the official religion of the United States would not only undermine the values set forth in the First Amendment, but it would also diminish the civil rights of all US citizens. The US was founded on the principles of religious freedom and tolerance, and while Christianity may be the most commonly practiced faith in the US, the government should not have the power to designate the faith which its citizens can or cannot practice.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 also explicitly states that all citizens, regardless of their faith, should have an equal opportunity to benefit from public accommodations and services. By establishing Christianity as the official religion of the US, the country would be forcing its citizens to practice a faith which may be in conflict with their own beliefs, which would be counterproductive to the idea of religious freedom.
Impact on Other Faiths
It is also important to consider the impact that making Christianity the official religion would have on other belief systems practiced in the US. Christianity is the most widely practiced faith, but there are still millions of Americans who identify with another religion or no religion at all.
If Christianity were to become the official religion of the US, it is likely that those who do not subscribe to it would suffer marginalization, as their beliefs would be dismissed or seen as being inferior. This could, in turn, lead to an increase in religious intolerance and discrimination, as well as a decrease in religious freedom and expression.
Impact on Christian Communities
It is also important to consider the impact that making Christianity the official religion of the US would have on the Christian communities which currently exist in the country. While there are many denominations and branches of Christianity, it is likely that only certain members of the faith would benefit from this designation.
The result of this could be an increase in internal divisions within the Christian community, as different denominations and beliefs tussle for the recognition and power that official status would bring. Such a move might even lead to some denominations feeling slighted or under-represented.
Conclusion and Implications
While Christianity has long been considered the de-facto religion of the US, establishing it as the official religion would be in violation of the Constitution and would likely lead to a decrease in religious freedom and civil rights. Moreover, it would likely have divisive implications for both Christian and non-Christian communities alike, as different denominations and beliefs grapple for the power that official status would bring. These considerations make it clear that, despite being the most commonly practiced faith in the US, Christianity should not be established as the official religion of the country.
