We have received feedback on this issue from people all across America. Review the graph to the left for a quick snapshot of the responses received to date, or read the responses below.

... solely my own belief ...

January 28,2004

My family, inclusive of my neighbors both locally and woldwide, plays a large role in my life; and I make most of my decisions based on the teachings from my family and the potential for their future well being. I feel that my religion is solely my own belief, and it has no place or influence in the civic, political, or legal arenas that impact others personal, private and safe lives, beliefs or choices.

... not the sole purview ...

January 28,2004

Ethics and morals are not the sole purview of church goers. In fact many people who never go to church are often more ethical than many of those who do.

... vast majority of Americans ...

January 28,2004

As do most Americans. In addition, if you account for the Jewish, Islamic as well as other religions, the vast majority of Americans believe in God. The tiny percentage of radical atheist liberals should not be allowed to erase this tradition of faith from our public life. To acknowlege this collective belief in God is not the same as disallowing others from being atheist. I do not believe that the founding fathers believed that faith was unallowed to be acknowleged in public life (they did it themselves, as proof). I believe they did not want the government to dictate what any individual chose to practice, or to penalize any individual who chose to practice a religion differently. I do not believe that including the word "God" penalizes anyone of any (or no) faith.

As the proposed school vouchers and the proposed funding of faith based initiatives are open to all faiths, I can not see how they penalize the pursuit of religious freedom. To disallow funding for these organizations, (as long as these organizations do not force their religion on any recipient of their services), is the actual violation of the freedom of religion I believe the founding fathers had in mind.

While I am very strong in my christian beliefs, I am very aware of my ignorance of God's mind. Because of this, I stand by Jesus' words that tell us that love is the greatest of all things. He also tells us to leave judgement to God. I believe that God created an evolving world, and hopefully, an evolving species. People have been using God and the Bible to thump down political enemies since the beginning of time. I question their motives. I have seen how gay parents love their children as I love mine. I have seen how gay friends love their spouses the same as I love mine. It is true that people used God to bar interracial marriage in the past- we see that as barbaric today. Because I can not know what is in God's mind, I can only follow my heart and instincts on this one and say that gay marriage and gay adoption should be allowed. It strikes me as completely unamerican to amend the constitution to disallow something. I always thought the constitution was basically written to allow as much freedom and happiness as possible.

... Some influential Americans ...

January 28,2004

The topic is God in America, so I'll share my deep concern. There is a core group of secular activists, small in their number but significant in their influence, that is moving law and culture toward a suppression of religiously-based opinion. Sweden in 2002 declared that any criticism of homosexuality, including the citation of Biblical references, could henceforth be punishable by law. Classifying the Bible as hate speech, and thus coercing traditionally-religious people into silence, is on the national agenda in Canada. Some influential Americans view these developments favorably. The effort to radically distort our Constitution's First Amendment by forbidding religiously-based speech with which some might disagree, or find offensive, is on the horizon in America. This way of thinking is gathering momentum and will result in the criminalization of the thoughts and speech of millions of Americans. I challenge every presidential candidate to promise that he will not endorse any effort to have the Bible classified as hate speech, nor appoint judges likely to do so. This particular aspect of the "culture wars" is not yet in the national spotlight, but it soon will be. The hard-core cultural secularists do not believe in Voltaire's famous defense of free speech: "I don't agree with a word you are saying but I will defend to the death your right to say it." They will not defend the free-speech rights of those espousing worldviews they wish to marginalize, ridicule, suppress, and finally punish.

... basics of religion ...

January 28,2004

Religion can be defined as "A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader."~dictionary.com

All religions, including atheism, translate to the same basic elements: treating oneself and the world around oneself with respect, dignity, and love. Religious organizations often cloud the basic essence of religion with power over others. Just look at the vast examples throughout history and in present day.

All life follows the basics of religion. The only living beings that often fail the basics are humans.

... funding as a religious group ...

January 28,2004

Ridiculous! Most decisions are mundane... what to eat, wear, etc.
What would be the guidelines to qualify for funding as a religious group? Will smaller sects be able to handle the paperwork?

... scary followers ...

January 28,2004

I think this program should have been called Christianity in America. Every speaker is Christian, every reference is to Christianity, constantly referring to a house of worship as a "church" is Christian dogma.
Though the Ten Commandments were given to the Jewish people, the creepy "Judge" and his scary followers have repeatedly co-opted it as "a gift from Jesus".
To discuss G-d in America, you have to first recognize there are many G-ds in America and have some balance of participation of those various faiths.
Had I known this show was just another Jesus rant, I wouldn't have watched.

... based upon religious dogma ...

January 28,2004

If people really made decisions based upon religious dogma as espoused from literal readings of various religious texts then what we commonly agree on about morality would be violated.

... I would be like a ship ...

January 28,2004

Without biblical principles and the Holy Spirit to guide me, and without the hope of the Good News that God gave us through his Son, my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,I would be like a ship without an anchor in a stormy sea.

... raise their young ...

January 28,2004

according to the Webster dictionary,
"RELIGION", is defined as a form of hate or love.
religion, through faith in God, indeed plays the largest role in my daily life.
most of the decisions I make are based on faith in God and teachings of the church.
America was founded under this way of life,thinking, and believing.to worship God in Spirit and in Truth.
America seems to be somewhat
absent minded of a bit of
American history, or perhaps
just not wanting to mention
the fact that a people wanted a new government,a better rule,a new way of life.A people that was looking and wanted "FEEDOM' from the rule of "Kingship" and "Queenship" and, more than all, from the "Roman rule".A people that wanted to worship God in Spirit and in truth thus, America was founded.
than along came opposition,
religious opposition,naming the "graycoats" with there
hateful banner, the "confeterate flag". study that history if you will.
America has always been under opposition, religious opposition, unto this day
America has had to face that problem.
May God help us today,this year, election year,2004.
America needs a man that truly depends on God, as our forfathers and founders of America and the constitution did.
that's where Americas' backbone is.that's where strengh begins.those are mighty men of valour.Men that reach for wisdom from
above and for higher power.
Men that want to continue
with the same principle of
worshiping God in Spirit and
in Truth.
True Americans live by the principles America was founded on and desire God in their lives and are part of a living tree.
all others are just "white sepulcres full of dead mens bones",as Jesus stated.
They are also of the confaterate side,the graycoats,that still bring trouble to Amereica, birds that perch on the living tree,they built nests there
and raise their young but never niether get grafted to the living tree nor ever become part of it.But continue to do damage to the branches with there messy, ugly, and obsurd droppings of gay rights, abortion rights,criminal rights, ets.

... Bible shown truth ...

January 28,2004

Faith in Jesus. Religion is the deception a man goes through to seek himself as God. Really think about it! God came in the Christ Man Jesus. Hasn't the Bible shown truth in so many undeniable ways. A Lazy man will think and search in his own thoughts but a honest man will work and dig truth out of the word of God the Bible. God's love letter to all man kind.

... my daily decisions ...

January 28,2004

It depends. If by religion you mean a system of beliefs, then yes. My belief in God, His Word, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit shape my daily decisions. I try to make most of my decisions based on knowing that He is real, His word is true and on the reality that He is returning.

... all must be represented ...

January 28,2004

God has many meanings to many people. To say that any one person's religious definition should take precedence over another's is unconstitutional. If we take one religion into effect, then all must be represented and respected. Especially if you are Christian, you are taught that man is not perfect, so why would you think you're interpretation of the scripture is God's when obviously we are not all knowing?

... superstition and unhealthy ...

January 28,2004

Religion is superstition and unhealthy.

... deep seeded value system ...

January 28,2004

Although I do not believe in a "god" and do not belong to any organized religion, I do have a deep seeded value system. I try t treat others with dignity and respect. I do not cheat or steal or bully. Yet I have seen many who claim to be "christians" do just these things. Claiming to be religious does not necessarily make you so.

... to gain votes ...

January 28,2004

Religion is a sacred and private issue. Government should stay out of the god business as our Constitution promises. It is wrong to indoctrinate children daily in schools with a religious reference in the Pledge. It is wrong for politicians to use godspeak to gain votes when it is expressly stated in law that no government office shall be subject to a religious test. If they have something to offer on a human level, then they deserve to be elected. Preachers are designed to relay the 'word' NOT politicians.

... founded on "In God we trust ...

January 28,2004

This country was founded on "In God we trust" Take God out of the equation and you get just what we are experiencing in this world "Chaos"

... Why make a big deal ...

January 28,2004

God is a big part of my life but I make decisions based on my free will that God gave me. Let those who chose not to be religious live that way, let those who live by church live that way. Why make a big deal out of something that is not a life or death situation. There are more important things to fight over in courts than whether God should be allowed or not!

... contribute positively ...

January 28,2004

I believe I am a strongly spiritual being who does not require being part of an organized religion to contribute positively to fellow humans and to society expressed as human relationship. I believe the constitution guarantees me a right not to be a christian or belong formally to any particular relgion.

... can go to a higher source ...

January 28,2004

We tend to be self-centered people. I am grateful that I can go to a higher source, God, and base the core of my being on the foundation of the love of God, and that because of Scripture, I know and am continually desiring to love God with all my heart, mind, and soul, and to love my neighbor as myself.