5 takeaways from PRRI's 2021 American Values Survey

By Ryan Foley, Christian Post Reporter Friday, November 05, 2021

2. Evangelicals most likely to believe that ‘God has granted America a special role’ in history

While a substantial majority of Americans (64%) agree that “God has granted America a special role in history,” white evangelical Christians are the most likely religious group to believe so. In addition to 75% of white evangelical Christians, majorities of black Protestants (67%) and other Christians (55%) along with half of Hispanic Catholics (50%) think divine intervention plays a role in America’s place in history. 

The Christian groups least likely to believe that “God has granted America a special role in history” are white mainline Protestants and white Catholics. Among both groups, 46% believe the U.S. has a unique role granted by God. Non-Christians (29%) and religiously unaffiliated Americans (18%) are even less likely to think the U.S. has a special role in history. 

Republicans are the most likely political group to believe in a divinely ordained role for the U.S., with 68% of those surveyed holding such a view. Independents (40%) and Democrats (33%) are significantly less likely to believe that God played a role in shaping America’s place in history. 

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An overwhelming majority (74%) of Americans believe that the U.S. has always been a force for good in the world. Support for that view stands at 92% among Republicans, 72% among independents and 67% of Democrats.

White evangelical Protestants are the most likely religious subgroup to see the U.S. as a consistent force for good worldwide (88%), followed by white mainline Protestants (88%), white Catholics (85%), Hispanic Catholics (73%), other Christians (71%), black Protestants (69%) and non-Christians (66%).

Although religiously unaffiliated Americans are the least likely group to view the U.S. as a consistent force for good, a majority (58%) still saw America’s influence in the world as consistently positive.