Pew Forum Looks at Faith on the Hill
Wednesday January 7, 2009
Now that it's a new year, and a whole bunch of new politicians are getting sworn in, it's time once again for people to start (over)analyzing the religious preferences of folks in office. Apparently, religious groups as presented in members of Congress are actually fairly proportionate to the demographics of the American public as a whole.
Last year, the Pew Forum released a big study about the religious makeup of America in general, surveying some 35,000 adults around the country. That survey showed that about 16% of the adult population claims no particular religious affiliation. However, in the new Congress, only one percent -- five members -- didn't specify a religious preference. The percentage of Catholics and Baptists on Capitol Hill is very close to the percentage among the general population.
Interestingly, the study says that "one group stands out in terms of its numbers in Congress: Jews, who account for just 1.7% of the U.S. adult population, make up 8.4% of Congress, including just over 13% of the Senate." As you may have expected, there are no openly Wiccan or Pagan representatives, and only two Buddhists and two Muslims.
Last year, the Pew Forum released a big study about the religious makeup of America in general, surveying some 35,000 adults around the country. That survey showed that about 16% of the adult population claims no particular religious affiliation. However, in the new Congress, only one percent -- five members -- didn't specify a religious preference. The percentage of Catholics and Baptists on Capitol Hill is very close to the percentage among the general population.
Interestingly, the study says that "one group stands out in terms of its numbers in Congress: Jews, who account for just 1.7% of the U.S. adult population, make up 8.4% of Congress, including just over 13% of the Senate." As you may have expected, there are no openly Wiccan or Pagan representatives, and only two Buddhists and two Muslims.
Comments
Humanists reported last month that 22 representatives on the hill stated privately that they had no religious affiliation, but only one of them would allow that to be announced publicly. Humanists also report that the fundamentalist right is self destructing and not nearly as large as they claim. The article states there are 1300 ‘mega churches’ which look and sound huge and ominous. In reality all added up, these mega churches represent only a very small percentage of the overall population. They defeat us mostly by voting and taking action as a solid organized block (i.e. suddently a 1000 emails hit the mayors office) rather than scattered and disorganized responses the public usually sends.
Hellos,
Seeing as how there is Supposed to be a seperation of religion and state, I am not concerned with who people worship. However, I AM concerned with what they co-/authored, and its Constitutionality.
A Pagan voiding that document at will is just as bad as people of other faiths doing it too. No matter what they use to justify it.
-Rafe