Continued Faith in God Signals Good News for Civil Society

Sarah Torre / June 03, 2011

A new Gallup poll released today reports that more than nine in 10 Americans believe in God. The number of believers has remained largely unchanged since the 1960s, with 91 percent of respondents affirming a belief in a higher power and almost three-quarters of adults firm in their belief in the existence of God.

When this belief translates to action—and it does so with great frequency—the benefits can be significant for civil society. According to Heritage’s Web site FamilyFacts.org, almost 40 percent of Americans attend religious services at least once a week and more than 50 percent of adults say they pray daily. These religious practices can have a profoundly positive impact on marriage and family and defend against much of the social breakdown threatening communities. (more…)