New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio are in a competition to curry favor with leaders from the Roman Catholic and Italian-American communities, each promising to erect a statue honoring Mother Frances Cabrini, a nun who founded a religious order in the 19th century.

As the Pew report makes clear, our country is changing. When it comes to religion, we’re more diverse than ever. While far-right fundamentalists who are convinced that only their narrow version of faith is 'true' may tremble at this news, the rest of us should celebrate it.

In my home state, Tennessee, there has been a long history of legislation meant to fulfill a religious agenda. Our public schools are now required to prominently display the national motto and public buildings are allowed to post the Ten Commandments.