Nearly three-quarters of the US. believes religious influence on American life is waning and nearly half think that churches and other houses of worship should play a greater role in the national discourse on social and political matters, according to a new Pew study. The findings by Pew's Religion & Public Life Project show that 72 percent of those surveyed think religion's hold on America is in decline, as opposed to 22 percent who believe that influence is on the rise. Most of those surveyed who said religion was losing influence also viewed that decline as a bad thing/NPR. More here.

Question: Do you believe the influence of religion in American life is in decline? If so, do you consider that a good/bad thing?