Subtitle: A positive, opportunistic Biblical Christian perspective.

Excerpt: A positive, opportunistic Biblical Christian perspective.

Author: Jeff Hilles

If Americans have only a passing interest in their country, a negligible understanding of history, strong opinions on divisive issues, a lack of balanced and honest mass media outlets, an historically low trust in government institutions, as well as an enormous social media platform to explore which has no accountability to anyone, what is the result?

The result is what we see today in America. Consider the trending survey results and charts across multiple polling centers below ….

Poor Understanding of American Civics

In March of 2025, the American Bar Association published their annual “Survey of Civic Literacy” polling one thousand members of the public. Quoting from their results …

• Less than half of the American public knows that John Roberts is chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
• One in 10 think the Declaration of Independence freed slaves in the Confederate states.
• One in 3 believe the Declaration of Independence gave women the national right to vote.
• Almost 1 in 5 believe the first 10 amendments of the U.S. Constitution are called the Declaration of Independence instead of the Bill of Rights.
• Nearly 1 in 5 said freedom of the press is not in the First Amendment.
• Nearly 20 percent said the right of people to peaceably assemble does not
  fall under the First Amendment.
• Nearly 1 in 10 believe the first three words of the U.S. Constitution are “I Pledge Allegiance.”
• Less than half know that only U.S. citizens can hold federal elective office.
• More than 1 in 5 believe only U.S. citizens are responsible for paying taxes.
• More than 10 percent believe only U.S. citizens are responsible for obeying the law.
• Thirty percent believe that noncitizens do not have the right of freedom of speech.

A poll from The Institute for Citizens & Scholars conducted a national survey of young adults (18-24). Key findings included …

• 40% are able to correctly answer only one out of four standard civics questions. Only 4% answer all four questions right. 
• 35% say they do not feel informed enough to participate politically.
• 33% of respondents indicated no intention to participate civically in 2024. This could include voting, political volunteerism, donating, event attendance, and digital content creation. 
• 33% of respondents say they are not currently engaged in community activities, such as sports, hobbies, volunteerism, and faith groups. 
• 48% of respondents intended to vote in the 2024 general election, significantly lower than the nationwide baseline of 68%. 
• 57% are dissatisfied with how the political system is functioning in the U.S.
• 40% are pessimistic about the future of our democracy compared to about a quarter who are somewhat or very optimistic.
• 52% report no trust at all or very little trust in government institutions.
• 51% oppose the use of violence to suppress dissent. 
• 68% believe their vote matters.
• 70% are somewhat, very, or extremely proud to be American.

Strong Opinions on Divisive Issues

Americans have become more and more polarized on their values and moral stance. Below is an amalgam of responses over time, consolidated by Gallup and published in late 2024. Note the separation between “United” and “Divided” from 2005 to mid-2024.

This chart below represents a poll taken by Ipsos in mid-2024. It not only documents the level of divisiveness in America, it targets the source.

Lack of Balanced and Honest Mass Media

Gallup shows the deterioration in the level of trust Americans have in our major media sources form 1972 to 2024. Note the drop in trust (green) converging with the rise in no trust (blue).

And, as we look beyond America, we can see how much disparity there is in comparison with other countries. Note the extreme US gap between those who trust “their media sources” with their view of the overall network media in general.

Historic Low Trust in Government

The chart below comes from polling done by Pew Research, from Eisenhower in the 60’s to the end of Biden’s term. Note how American confidence has eroded since Bush, the younger.

Enormous Social Media Platform with no Accountability

From Pirori Data, summary material on the increasing use of Social Media in 2025 …

• Around 5.20 billion users use social media worldwide, which is around 64% of the global population.
• Facebook remains the largest social media platform, with over 3.15 billion monthly, active users.
• YouTube is the second-largest social media platform, with over 2.5 billion active users.
• Instagram has over 2 billion active users, making it the fourth largest social media platform.
• TikTok has surpassed 1 billion active users, becoming one of the fastest-growing social media platforms.

A Biblical Christian Perspective

What does all this data mean to the Christian living out our time in America? In summary, we live in a country whose population has a poor understanding and interest in American history, lacks trust in our mass media and government, with a poor understanding of how it operates. Those around us are increasingly polarized on the major issues of the day as well as ideas put forward to solve those problems. Finally, all these challenges are exacerbated by the ability to find narrow bands of social media outlets that reinforce our exclusive viewpoints, strengthening our resistance to moderating opinions.

As Christians, we need to rise above the divisiveness and recognize we are to be ‘in the world, but not of the world’ (Romans 12:2), because both our citizenship (Philippians 3:20) and our treasures (Matthew 6:19-21) reside in Heaven. Further, we are to love our neighbors (Luke 10:27) and, when the opportunity arises, share the Good News of Jesus Christ with them (Matthew 28:19-20).

Perhaps the more Americans become disenfranchised with the media, government, and social institutions, the more opportunities we have to engage them in looking beyond mankind and toward the Lord.

2 Timothy 4:2 – Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.