FAIRFIELD, Conn.— It seems that Americans do know the reason for the season, after all. According to a national poll by Sacred Heart University, more than 80.8 percent of Americans support the temporary display of religious symbols in public places during the holiday season.
Additionally, respondents were overwhelmingly opposed to removing the phrase “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance. This follows a recent ruling by a California Federal Judge that it is unconstitutional to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools because of its reference to God. On Monday, November 14, the Supreme Court rejected an appeal to remove the phrase “in God we trust” from government buildings.
“Saying ‘under God' or displaying a manger scene at Christmas are activities that bespeak an attitude that suggests that Americans do believe that this country was founded under God, that we understand a special providence in our creation,” stated Dr. June-Ann Greeley, assistant professor of religious studies at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn.
“America is a religious country, more so than many people might want to admit, and that religion is rather public: we are a people of public display (4th of July, Halloween, Mardi Gras),” she continued.
- A large majority of respondents, 80.8%, support allowing the temporary display of religious symbols such as mangers or menorahs on public greens during this coming holiday season.
- In response to the recent ruling by a California Federal Judge which would remove the phrase “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools, 88.8% of Americans surveyed said they were opposed to removal of the phrase. This majority is similar to and consistent with previous Sacred Heart University polls. In October 2003, 91.3% were opposed to removing the phrase “under God” and 87.5% suggested the same in April 2004.
EXPERT AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT
- June-Ann Greeley, Ph.D., assistant professor of Religious Studies at Sacred Heart University
To schedule an interview with Dr. Greeley, please contact Funda Alp at 203-396-8241 or alpf@sacredheart.edu.
For related findings, visit:
http://www.sacredheart.edu/download/7_provocative_questions_for_theories.doc
How the Poll Was Conducted
The Sacred Heart University Polling Institute completed 1,000 interviews with residents nationwide between October 3-12, 2005. The sample was generated proportional to population contribution in all 50 states. Statistically, a sample of 1,000 completed telephone interviews represents a margin for error of +/-3.0% at a 95% confidence level.