From the Gallup Poll December 2007.
gallup.com/poll/103459/Questions-Answers-About-Americans-Religion.aspx
America (or the U.S.) is a country, not an individual. Individuals are religious (or not). The U.S. was founded with the Establishment Clause in the bill of rights which says that Congress shall make no ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION. . NOR PROHIBIT THE FREE EXERCISE THEREOF. Therefore there is no ‘state religion’ in the U.S., but one may freely practice the religion of one’s choice.
Since over 80% of Americans claim a religious affiliation and that it is of some importance to them, it would appear that Americans (if not America) are ‘mostly’ religious. However a 15 to 20% group of Americans do not claim a religious affiliation or do not find this of importance. Statistically this is a change over the last 70 years or so, but not a ‘huge’ change, and there have been ‘ups and downs’ during this (and other) periods as well.
According to the Gallup Poll, 51% of the respondents identified themselves as Protestants, 5% ‘other Protestant’, 23% Catholic, and 3% ‘other faith’. 11% claimed ‘no faith’ and 2% had no answer.
As to “practicing” Catholics, it is hard to say what is meant by practicing. Church attendance --but how much? Financial support? Personal ‘deeds?’ You pretty much need to be content with the 23% figure if you want a ball park number. In charity, one should assume that if 23% of U.S. citizens identify themselves as Catholic, they’re at LEAST practicing enough of their faith to identify themselves and not deny it!!!
God bless.
