Half of Americans back stronger role of religion in society

France, Japan amongst countries with lowest proportion of citizens favoring strengthening religion's role in society

NEW YORK: Around half of Americans favor religion playing a greater role in US society, while 18 percent oppose that idea, according to a Pew Research Center study published Monday.

Despite there being a separation of church and state, religion plays a significant part in daily US life: the president traditionally is sworn in using a Bible, while "In God, We Trust" is printed on banknotes.

France, Sweden, and the Netherlands, meanwhile, posted almost opposite results: 47 per cent, 51 per cent and 45 per cent respectively were opposed to religion playing a key role in society.

Among the 27 countries surveyed in 2018, France (20 per cent) and Japan (15 per cent) were the countries with the lowest proportion of citizens favoring strengthening religion's role in society.

Indonesia (85 per cent), Kenya (74 per cent) and Tunisia (69 per cent) came out as the countries most in favor of a bigger place for religion.

The study did not make a distinction between different religions.

In the US, the proportion rose to 61 percent among people aged 50 and over but dropped to 39 percent among 18 to 29-year-olds.

The study was carried out with a representative sample of at least 1,000 people in each country.