How is the functioning of American government and society influenced ...?

Question

by the fact that 44% of the population believes that Jesus is likely to return within 50 years.

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/1999/at2000/stories/religion/index.html

Answer 1

Negatively.
But the fact that they believe in the immanent return of Jesus is far less significant than the fact that they consider political dissent to be treason, refuse to recognize government propaganda, and agree to implement restrictive legislation because they see a way to temporarily further an unrelated religious agenda (i.e. passing an ammendment that grants the government absolute control over religious ceremonies like marriage, simply because they disagree with homosexuality).

Answer 2

by the 'public opinion'... by 'fear'... by 'entrainment'