Divine Law
Critical Analysis
Only two members of Congress—less than half of 1%—say they are not religious. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, independent of Arizona – identifies as religiously unaffiliated. Another (Democratic Rep. Jared Huffman of California) describes himself as humanist. According to the data from the visual above, what percent of Americans say they are not religious (unaffiliated)?
Since 2007, the share of Christians in the general population has dropped from 78% to its present level of 63%. Nearly three-in-ten U.S. adults now say they are religiously unaffiliated, describing themselves as atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular,” up from 16% who did not identify with a religion 16 years ago. According to the visual above, over the past 50 years, describe the trend of the percentage of Americans who identify as Christians.
Christians make up 88% of the voting members of the new 118th Congress being sworn in on Jan. 3 – only a few percentage points lower than the Christian share of Congress in the late 1970s. In the 96th Congress, which was in session in 1979-1980, 91% of members of Congress identified as Christian. What is the big story this chart tells about religion in congress?
Compare the religious composition of congress to that of the entire U.S.?
Based on your knowledge of American politics and the visuals above and below*, make a claim about why the U.S. and the Congress are religiously different.
How does this religious discrepancy between Congress and the general population of the U.S. impact U.S. political policy?
According to the data from the Pew research visual below*, what most surprised you about the religious makeup of Congress.
According to the data from the visual below*, how does the religious makeup of the House compare to the Senate?
According to the data from the visual below*, describe the religious difference between the 117th and 118th Congress.
If Congress were majority-non religious today, describe three policy changes that would result.
Learning Extension
Read all the details of the religious makeup of the 118th Congress from Pew.
Action Extension
Examine the religious breakdown of your state and your state’s congressional delegation. Share the results in class or online.
Visual Extension*
Prepare for the 2025 AP® US Government Exam with High Five! Our Exam Review guide is completely redesigned and updated with over 140 pages of great AP Exam review material. Tons of completed graphic organizers are full of information to get you exam-ready in a flash.
This 2025 exam guide is an instant download and contains all the following resources.
Overview of the U.S. Government and Politics exam.
Completed graphic organizers for all required documents + Supreme Court cases.
Guide to the skills and content for all 5 course units.
Essential vocabulary with link to online glossary.
Tons of Graphic Organizers with answers from each course unit.
GoPo Pro Tips.
Exam review Guides.
Amazing AI generated images of the Framers of the Constitution giving high fives!
Full Length AP multiple choice + Free Response Exam with Key.
AP ® is a trademark registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this site or product.
GoPoPro does not offer credit or grades for our classes or products.
