Speaking of True Believers *sigh*

From USA Today comes news of disturbing new poll about the beliefs of Americans regarding the founding principles of the United States:

Most Americans believe the nation's founders wrote Christianity into the Constitution, and people are less likely to say freedom to worship covers religious groups they consider extreme, a poll out today finds.

The survey measuring attitudes toward freedom of religion, speech and the press found that 55% believe erroneously that the Constitution establishes a Christian nation. In the survey, which is conducted annually by the First Amendment Center, a non-partisan educational group, three out of four people who identify themselves as evangelical or Republican believe that the Constitution establishes a Christian nation.* About half of Democrats and independents do.

Most respondents, 58%, say teachers in public schools should be allowed to lead prayers. That is an increase from 2005, when 52% supported teacher-led prayer in public schools.

This is largely a result, it seems to me, of an entire cottage industry that has popped up on the religious right with the intent of rewriting history to turn this into a "Christian nation." For lots of good info on that see here. Although it's particularly disturbing that grounds not normally associated with the Christian right believe that drivel, too.

It's not all horrid news:

Half say teachers should be allowed to use the Bible as a factual text in history class. That's down from 56% in 2000.

A decrease is good, but 50% is still way too high a number for that kind of question.

* Bonus points to any person who can show me where these concepts, fundamental to our Constitution, are rooted in the Bible or Christianity, I'd appreciate it: separation of powers, bicameral legislature, federalism, limited government, checks and balances, etc.