This graphic is not offered for republication.
What does it mean to be American? For many, being a Christian is important to be truly American.
The most recent General Social Survey (GSS) listed off possible reasons why someone would be “truly American.” Topping the list are legal criteria: being a citizen, ability to speak English, and respecting political institutions and laws.
A majority of Americans also said that it was very or fairly important that a person be born in America.
The biggest divide was the importance of religion. One-third of Americans say that being a Christian “very important” for someone to be “truly American.” Another 13 percent said it is “fairly important.”
This graphic is not offered for republication.
There are significant differences across religious traditions.
Two-thirds of evangelicals say that true Americans are Christian. Those in historically black Protestant churches also put a high importance on being Christian.
Christianity is less important for other Christian traditions. Just under half of Catholics and Mainline Protestants see being Christian important for being American.
Only a small number of the so called “nones” see faith as important to being American. Still, roughly one-in-ten see Christianity as linked to being a real American.
Don’t miss any more posts from the Corner of Church & State. Click the red subscribe button in the right hand column. Follow @TobinGrant on Twitter and on the Corner of Church & State Facebook page.