This includes 28% who favor it over the will of the people
April 15, 2020 A weekly digest of the Center's latest research on religion and public life in the U.S. and around the world · Subscribe ↗
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 The U.S. Constitution does not mention the Bible, God, Jesus or Christianity, and the First Amendment clarifies that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” Still, some scholars have argued that the Bible heavily influenced America’s founders. Today, about half of Americans (49%) say the Bible should have at least “some” influence on U.S. laws, including nearly a quarter (23%) who say it should have “a great deal” of influence, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey.
All survey respondents who said the Bible should have at least “some” influence on U.S. laws were asked a follow-up question: When the Bible and the will of the people conflict, which should have more influence on U.S. laws? About two-thirds of white evangelical Protestants (68%) and half of black Protestants (50%) say the Bible should take precedence over the will of the people in this area. Support Pew Research CenterPlease support Pew Research Center with a contribution on the Center’s behalf to our parent organization, The Pew Charitable Trusts. |
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