Do Christianity and other religions make any difference in American society? Consider these findings from Harvard University researcher Robert D. Putnam:

"Faith communities in which people worship together are arguably the single most important repository of social capital in America.…

"Churchgoers are substantially more likely to be involved in secular organizations, to vote and participate politically in other ways, and to have deeper informal social connections."

"Regular worshipers and people who say that religion is very important to them are much more likely than other people to visit friends, to entertain at home, to attend club meetings, and to belong to sports groups; professional and academic societies; school service groups; youth groups; service clubs; hobby or garden clubs; literary, art, discussion, and study groups; school fraternities and sororities; farm organizations; political clubs; nationality groups; and other miscellaneous groups."