More Americans Want Religion Out of Politics

St. John Baptist Church was built in several phases during the 12th to 13th centuries. In the garden to the west of the church are traces of mosaic paving and the foundations from an earlier Byzantine church that once stood on this site. (Charlie Ghanem/Epoch Times Staff)

A majority of Americans believe that religion and politics should not mix, a study released on August 21 reveals.

The survey conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 52 percent of Americans thought that churches and other religious institutions should stay out of politics while only 45 percent believe the two should mingle.

The research comes just as debate heats up between Republican and Democratic presidential nominee John McCain and Barack Obama spar for support from religious believers.

In the last decade, the public sentiment on religious involvement has been shifting downwards. In 1996, only 43 percent of the public expressed negative views on religious involvement in politics. After the 2004 elections, however, the number jumped sharply from 44 to 52 percent

On the other hand, those who believe religion and politics should mix have been in a downward trend. Since 1996, the number of people has decreased from 54 percent to 45 percent in 2008 with the majority of the people switching sides after 2004.

The political climate among Republicans is changing as well. The research records a shift in view among the conservatives setting them closer in line with political moderates.

Since 2004, a drastic change occurred in the number of conservatives who believe religious involvement should be kept out of politics. In 2004, only 30 percent expressed that view. However, the survey currently puts that number at 50 percent.

The survey suggests that the shift may be due to increased frustration among social conservatives.

“In addition to somewhat greater worries about the way religious and non-religious groups are influencing the parties, the survey suggests that frustration and disillusionment among social conservatives may be a part of the reason why a greater number now think that religious institutions should keep out of politics,” the Pew report reads. “However, there is little to suggest that social conservatives want religion to be a less important element in American politics.”

The survey found little indication of a change in voter preference. Among conservatives, McCain is still holding the majority of voters over Obama.

The survey was conducted among 3,000 adults from July to August.