Poll: We like our red-white-and-blue patriotism — mostly

A man waves an American flag as he watches a July Fourth parade in the village of Barnstable, Massachusetts on July 4, 2014. Photo couretsy of REUTERS/Mike Segar

by Cathy Lynn Grossman

We’re gung-ho for the idea that the U.S.A. has a special status with God, and we’re almost always proud of our nation.

But a new survey finds our flag-waving, All-American Fourth of July celebrations are also tempered by concerns that the nation isn’t the moral leader it once was, that Christians face discrimination here at home and that some folks aren’t “truly American.”

And although overall views shine bright red, white and blue, the level of our enthusiasm varies according to factors such as religion, age and race, according to the Public Religion Research Institute.

A PRRI survey released Tuesday (June 23) finds that nearly 2 in 3 Americans (62 percent) say God has granted America an exceptional role in human history. Not surprisingly, since the question presupposes a God, only 39 percent of people who don’t identify with any particular religion (the so-called “nones”) agree with that statement.

Still, “American exceptionalism is a deep and abiding belief that’s fundamental to the American DNA,” said Daniel Cox, PRRI research director.

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