The Pope Addresses A Congress That’s More Religious than Most Americans

Pope Francis addressed a Congress last week on Thursday that it is more Christian – and more Catholic – compared to the general public.

Although about a quarter of the total US population claims to have no religious affiliation, that figure is less the 1% in the Congress. About 90% of Congress members identify themselves as Christians with 31% professing the Catholic faith. These figures are much higher as compared to the proportions of Americans who identify themselves as being affiliated to Christianity.

According to Alan Cooperman, the director of Pew Research Center, the percentage of congress members that have a religious affiliation is disproportionately higher compared to the share of all American adults.

Various theories are put forth as to why such a high proportion of Congress members’ have an affiliation to the Christian faith. Shelley Mooro Capito, a senator from West Virginia, says that the reason may be that we need greater support and guidance from above. Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina opines that this has something to do with the greater number of issues and problems confronted by members of the Congress that cannot be dealt without reliance on spiritual need.

The majority of Americans may not be religious, but surveys reveal that most of them want their presidents to be religious. So, it makes sense that this sentiment should be carried over to congressional elections too.

Senator Gary Peters from Michigan says that his Episcopalian faith gives him comfort during tough times. He thinks that his religious grounding helps him gain the trust of the voters. According to the senator, the public wants to look you in the eye, they want to know what kind of person you are, and whether the spiritual soul is a part of you. And this is how they are going to make the final decision of who they are going to vote for.

The Pew study found that Congress members may be more religiously affiliated but that doesn’t mean they are actually more religious as compared to the rest of Americans. Chris Murphy from Connecticut, for instance, checks the box as being religious when asked to state his religion. But he said that he is not a regular churchgoer in part due to his busy schedule and in part because of his kids.

However, Barry Black, the Senate’s long time chaplain, believes that they are religious at least based on the popularity of the interfaith prayer breakfasts that are held each week.

He says that the legislative process is an experience of affliction. And this probably is the main reason that the members of Congress are more spiritual. Black mentions that Psalm 119 states, “Before I was afflicted, I went astray but now I obey your word.”

So, what he seems to be trying to say is that you will be more religious as well when you serve in the Congress. The members of Congress face so many issues regarding the public that they have to turn to religion to gain spiritual strength.