According to a new Pew Research Study, nearly half of Americans believe that the United States should be a Christian nation.

The survey, conducted between Sept. 13-18, 2022, found that 45 percent of Americans want the country to be a Christian nation, six-in-ten respondents say that the U.S founders originally intended for the country to be a Christian nation, and 33 percent said that America is currently a Christian nation.

"There are a lot of Americans - 45 percent - who tell us they think the United States should be a Christian nation. That is a lot of people," Greg Smith, who helped co-author the survey, told Religion News Service. "(But) what people mean when they say they think the U.S. should be a Christian nation is really quite nuanced."

Additional findings found that 47 percent of Americans believe that the Bible ought to have "a great deal" or "some" influence on U.S. laws, and 27 percent who believe that the Scriptures "should have more influence than the will of the people" whenever the law and God's word contradict.

As reported by Faithwire, A strong majority of Americans (78 percent) who say the U.S. should be a Christian nation said that God's word "should have a great deal or some influence on U.S. laws." Conversely, 21 percent said Scripture should have "little or no influence" on the nation's laws whatsoever.

The Pew Research study also highlights the mixing of religion and politics. According to the survey, most American adults (77 percent) say that candidates running for political offices should not have the public endorsement of churches and houses of worship. Over half of respondents (67 percent) believe that religious institutions should not be involved in political matters instead of sharing their views on social and political issues.

When asked what people meant when they said, "America ought to be a Christian nation," a variety of responses were shared. Some Americans define the concept as when the country has Christian leaders and principles based on Christian values. Some said America being a Christian nation has to do with the U.S. having a population of mostly Christians, while others said having good morals and respect for one another makes the country a Christian nation.

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