Religion now looms larger than economic class as a source of political division.
The United States is the world’s most religious advanced industrial nation. More Americans say they believe in God, go to church regularly, and take the Bible literally than do people in any other Western country. The explanation lies in U. S. history. Many people came to colonial America seeking religious freedom after having been at odds with the state church in their home countries. The immigrants’ religious traditions, which stressed piety and personal salvation, have flourished.