I Actually Didn't Expect This

After months of speechifying by Catholic Bishops, fundagelicals, congressional Republicans and campaigning Republicans, apparently the public is growing weary of the intrusion of religion into politics.

Americans are increasingly uneasy with the mingling of religion and politics, according to a poll released Wednesday by the Pew Research Center, in the midst of a campaign season punctuated by tussles over the role of faith in the public square.

Back in 2001, when Pew first asked the question, just 12 percent of Americans complained that their politicians talked too much about religion.

That number has risen steadily ever since and hit a record high in the new poll: 38 percent of Americans, including 24 percent of Republicans, now say their political leaders are overdoing it with their expressions of faith and prayer.

And more Americans than ever, 54 percent, believe churches should keep out of politics. That's up from 43 percent in 1996, according to the Pew Research Center. [Emphasis added]

And as to the claim that President Obama and the Democrats (godless heathens all) are engaged in a war against religion (which is defined as Christianity) and religious liberty (which is defined as being free to be a Christian), another poll is also enlightening:

Among the public overall, 23 percent describe the Obama administration as unfriendly to religion, up from 17 percent in 2009. But another recent poll suggests the "war on religion" argument isn't gaining traction with most adults.

A national survey conducted this month by the Public Religion Research Institute found a majority of Americans, 56 percent, do not believe religious liberty is under siege. [Emphasis added]

I admit to being a little surprised. Either I've become too cynical or people are finally waking up.

Either way, I'm delighted at the trend.