Religion

The United States has no official religion，as the country is founded on the principle of separation of church and state.However，Americans in general are a relatively religious people;they spend more time on religious activities and donate more money to religious organizations than is the case many other nations throughout the world.

Christianity is the dominant religious belief in the United States.More than 70％of Americans say that they are Christians.Christianity today is divided into many different groups such as Protestants，Roman Catholics，and Eastern Orthodox.Today，there are over 1，000 different Christian groups in the United States，each with its own beliefs，policies and practices.

Most American Christians are Protestants affiliated with one or another Protestant denomination.The United States was founded by Protestants.The first group of Protestants in America was the Puritans，who arrived from England in 1620.They are known today as the Pilgrim Fathers.The Puritans believed in predestination and had faith that they were chosen by God to carry out his mission in the world.

Protestants today are divided into many denominations，such as Baptists，Episcopalians，Methodists，Pentecostals，Congregationalists，Presbyterians，Lutherans，and many others.The large number of Protestant denominations is due in part to the legacy of the Protestant Reformation.As opposed to the Roman Catholic belief that the Bible should be interpreted by the Catholic Church，Protestants believe that each person should interpret the Bible for themselves.This tradition has given legitimacy to Protestants who have disagreements with their denomination and decide to found a new denomination as a result.

The Catholic Church has more members than any other church in the United States（largely because Protestants are divided up into many smaller denominations）.Catholics look to the Pope in Rome as their supreme religious authority.Most Catholics in the United States are the descendants of immigrants from Italy，Ireland，Poland and Latin America.

Historically，many Protestants were prejudiced against Catholics because they recognized a foreign figure（the Pope）as the head of their church.As a result，Catholics were politically and socially discriminated against，and sometimes also persecuted.However，the situation gradually improved，and by the 1950s Catholics were largely accepted.In 1960，John Kennedy became the first Catholic in American history to win election as U.S.President.During the election campaign，Kennedy gave a famous speech in which he said“I am not the Catholic candidate for president.I am the Democratic Party’s candidate for president，who happens also to be a Catholic.I do not speak for my church on public matters，and the church does not speak for me.”

Besides Christianity，there are many other religions in the United States as the U.S.Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.Judaism，Islam，Buddhism，Hinduism，and Native American religions all exist side by side with the dominant Christian religion.The influence of religion is felt in both politics and society.Religious lobbying groups are extremely influential，and most politicians are anxious not to alienate religious voters.In addition，religious organizations have their own media and spread their views on society and politics via television，radio and newspapers.Historically，many Christian churches were prominent in the antislavery movements.In modern times the Catholic Church is the main force behind the pro⁃life（anti⁃abortion）movement.