Poll: Americans want more religion in their politics

From The New York Times: 

The Pew Research Center reported Monday that 72 percent of Americans believe religion is losing its influence on American life, a striking development in a nation where religious arguments, religious leaders and religious voting blocs have long played an important role.

While the​ ​declining influence of religion is, perhaps, a natural side effect of the declining religiosity of​ ​Americans, more surprising is that as religion fades in American culture, many Americans regret its receding role in politics.

Nearly ​half of Americans — 49 percent, to be precise — say houses of worship should express their views on social and political questions, up 6 points since the 2010 midterm elections. And 32 percent — a rising minority — say houses of worship should endorse candidates, which is currently illegal.

Other key findings of the poll: Support for allowing gay men and lesbians to marry has dropped to 49 percent, down from 54 percent in February, and 50 percent say it is a sin to engage in homosexual behavior, up from 45 percent last year. Only 30 percent of Americans now see the Obama administration as friendly toward religion, down 9 points​ since 2012.

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Read the full poll results here.