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 say the Bible should have at least “some” influence on U.S. laws, including nearly a quarter who say it should have “a great deal” of influence, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey.
Among U.S. Christians, two-thirds want the Bible to influence U.S. laws at least some, and among white evangelical Protestants, this figure rises to about nine-in-ten.
At the other end of the spectrum, there’s broad opposition to Biblical influence on U.S. laws among religiously unaffiliated Americans, also known as religious “nones,” who identify as atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular.”
Roughly three-quarters in this group say the Bible should hold little to no sway, including 86% of self-described atheists who say the Bible should not influence U.S. legislation at all. Two-thirds of U.S. Jews, as well, think the Bible should have not much or should have no influence on laws.
Researchers also asked – Should the Bible should take priority over the will of the people. 28% said “yes”, 19% answered “some influence” but argued that the will of the people should prevail.