Published August 1976 — Download PDF of the original newspaper column
Byrd's-Eye View By U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd A Religious America It was not too many years ago that some social commentators were trumpeting the theme "God is dead," and predicting that the United States would become a nation of agnostics, or even atheists. But few themes have turned out to have less substance, and few predictions have turned out to be more wrong. A recent Gallup Poll found that God is not dead in America, and, in fact, our country is presently undergoing "a spiritual renewal." Churchgoing, which suffered a decline in the turbulent 1960's, is now on the rise; and 94 percent of all Americans profess belief in God and list themselves as having a specific religion - 61 percent are Protestant, 27 percent Roman Catholic, 2 percent Jewish, and 4 percent other religions. Of all the industrial nations, according to the poll, the United States ranks at the top in the importance religion plays in the daily lives of its citizens. Japan ranks at the bottom-just below t h e Scandinavian countries. Why the "spiritual renewal" in America? The poll does not give precise reasons, but it does suggest a rather logical explanation. The United States has just emerged from a very difficult period, when every day seemed to bring with it a new crisis or a worsening of an existing problem-Vietnam, Watergate, and a general lack of trust among various segments of our society. It was a period during which many Americans lost faith in the destiny of our nation and our people. Simply put, we came close to hitting rock bottom spiritually. Americans to look inward for strength, and to reflect upon the spiritual values of our forefathers-spiritual values that were the cornerstone of America's greatness. Reflection meant resurrection, and Americans are apparently ready to regain the boundless faith of our ancestors in the destiny of the United States. They seem, as the poll states, "to be in the first stages of a spiritual renewal," since "the findings seem to offer a positive outlook for religion in America." That portends well not only for religion, but also for the future of America. Aug 4 1976