Religion in American Life

Abstract

Religion is woven tightly into the fabric of American life. In some ways, the essential "religiousness" of our culture is quite visible. The large number of congregations in any community, the key role of religious leaders and rituals during important transitions in life, the rapid expansion of ministry into television, and the prominence of religious traditions and holidays are clear signs of the salience of religion in the United States. Less visible, but perhaps more revealing, are some other indicators. For example, it is estimated that 94% of the American population believe in God; 88% believe God loves them; 81% believe we will be called before God on Judgment Day; 71% believe in life after death; more people have confidence in organized religion than in any other social institution; and religious figures such as Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul II, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu are consistently named by Americans in their lists of most admired people (Gallup & Castelli, 1989)