Since essentially the dawn of the United States, the belief in God and the importance of religion has played a central role in daily life. It has been directly knotted with our culture and is said almost daily by school children during the Pledge of Allegiance.
Republicans have always beat the religion drum, but Democrats have suddenly fallen away from those core values. Gallup polls show that the number of Democrats who identify as religious has dropped twenty points since 1999. That year, 60 percent of Democrats identified as religious. In 2023, that number has shrunk to 37 percent.
Johnathan Saenz of Texas Values says to everyone who does not reside on the far Left, this is no shocking thing.
"The Democrat party has continued moving in a direction that is not only away from God, but is anti-God in some ways," he says. "I think some of this is an indication that people who feel the same are attracted to the party...I do not think that is a successful way to grow your numbers."
During that same time period, the number of Republicans who identify as religious has dropped oe whole point, from 62 percent in 1999 to 61 percent in 2023.
It is something that stay's at the forefrton of people's minds, too.
"When people go tot he ballot, that is what they think about...our national motto is 'In God We Trust,' and if people reject that...that may be something you think about when you elect someone to office," he says.
As mentoned, religion stays all around us in daily life, from churches to monuments.
"We need to come together, and I think that is what the motto means...looking to a higher power and saying we need that in our culture and life," he says. "I think America's independence, strength, and unity is very much tied to our belief in God."
In all, 47 percent of Americans say they are religious, with 33 percent identifying as 'spiritual but not religious.' But, over 18 percent say they are neither, which is double the number from the first poll in 1999.
This dismissal of religion is not hidden under the rug either, some Democrats have made it known even at the legislative level.
"We added the words 'Under God' to our state pledge about a decade ago...about eveyrne agreed. But the one person who said no? They were a Democrat," he says. "We will see how it moves us forward...but I think it indicates people will continue to find ways to support our values."
In a current climate where schools and government are pushing climate change and drag shows, people have generally become fed up. But to quote Mahatma Gandhi: 'be the change you want to see in the world.'
"The people have the ability to have a say in some of these things at the ballot box...whether it is President, Governor, City Council member...ask them where they are on these issues," he says.