Survey assesses public role of religion
Although religious involvement in politics is
often associated with the right wing, a new study
suggests the contrary: that Americans affiliated
with religious organizations tend to be interested
in liberal and moderate causes.
More than 5,000 adults around the United States
were surveyed by Princeton's Survey Research Center
as part of a larger effort to assess the public
role of religion, particularly that of the older
"mainline" Protestant denominations, which
represent about 20 million people. The survey was
directed by Robert Wuthnow, Gerhard R. Andlinger
'52 Professor of Social Sciences and director of
the Center for the Study of Religion.
According to a paper by Wuthnow, throughout its
history American mainline Protestantism has been at
the center of efforts to achieve political reform,
such as the civil rights movement and the movement
against the Vietnam War. In recent years, however,
that history has been overshadowed by conservative
religious groups, leading some observers to
conclude that mainline Protestantism is dying and
has lost its public voice, Wuthnow wrote.
The survey suggests that this is not the case.
Although the mainline denominations have
experienced a decline in numbers and cultural
influence, "the perception that religious groups
are really only interested in conservative issues
is not true," said Wuthnow. "Progressive issues do
seem to be of enormous importance to people."
Support for progressive issues
Americans of all religious affiliations, and
those without any religious affiliations at all,
were interviewed for the study. It found that more
than three-quarters of the public believe religious
groups should take a more active role in raising
awareness about racial discrimination, giving poor
people a voice in public affairs, protecting the
environment and promoting a greater sense of
community responsibility.
In general, the survey found support for
progressive issues among all groups studied:
mainline Protestants, black Protestants,
evangelicals, Catholics, Jews and the
unaffiliated.
Six in 10 people surveyed said they were "quite
interested" in "legislation to protect the
environment" and in "social policies that would
help the poor," and another three in 10 said they
were "fairly interested" in those areas. The survey
showed nearly as much interest in the issues of
"overcoming discrimination against women in our
society," "achieving greater equality for racial
and ethnic minorities in our society" and
"government policies to promote international
peace."
The survey found great concern over what
strategies should be used by religious
organizations in the public arena. Three people in
four think it is appropriate for candidates to
speak publicly about their religious views. But
only four in 10 believe the clergy should discuss
political issues from the pulpit.
Most people did not support the kind of efforts
made in recent years by leaders of the Religious
Right, such as religious leaders forming political
movements, criticizing elected officials, running
for public office and appearing on television talk
shows. But there were differences across religious
lines: black Protestants, for example, tended to
support these activities.
In general, "The public wants churches to be
taking a more active role at the local level, but
is less keen on religious groups exercising
influence at the national level," Wuthnow said.
Survey continues
The Princeton study, which began in November
1998 and will continue through next fall, involves
15 researchers, about half of them graduate
students at Princeton and the others scattered
around the United States. They are studying
religious involvement in a wide range of areas,
including racial justice, social welfare, the
family, the environment, gay and lesbian issues,
foreign policy, and issues of religious freedom and
the separation of Church and State.
Princeton's study is one of seven studies on
"Religious Communities and the Public Square"
funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts of
Philadelphia.
In March 2001, findings will be presented at a
conference for 200 religious leaders, activists and
policymakers in Washington. Participants hope to
translate the research finding into a practical
agenda, Wuthnow said.
Highlights
Other highlights of the study, which has a
sampling error of plus or minus 1.4 percentage
points, include the following.
·Seventy-seven percent of mainline
Protestants described their religious views as
moderate or liberal, as did 62 percent of
evangelical Protestants, 70 percent of black
Protestants, 78 percent of Catholics and 86 per --
cent of Jews.
·Forty-nine percent of mainline Protestants
have engaged in political activities during the
past year (such as contacting an elected official,
giving money to a political candidate or party,
attending a political rally or meeting or a class
or lecture about social or political issues),
compared with 42 percent of evangelical
Protestants, 42 percent of black Protestants, 39
percent of Catholics and 71 percent of Jews.
·Fifty-six percent of mainline Protestants
said their congregation has helped sponsor a
shelter for the homeless during the past year,
compared with 44 percent of evangelical
Protestants, 47 percent of Black Protestants, 55
percent of Catholics and 44 percent of Jews.
·Forty-nine percent of mainline Protestants
have "done volunteer work for an organization other
than a church or place of worship" during the past
12 months, compared with 41 percent of evangelical
Protestants, 37 percent of black Protestants, 42
percent of Catholics and 67 percent of Jews.
·When asked, "At present, do you think the
things religious groups say and do affect life in
this country a lot, some, only a little, or not at
all?" 28 percent of the public said a lot, 49
percent said some, 17 percent said only a little,
and 4 percent said not at all.
·When asked, "Would you say the overall
effect that religious groups have on the country is
very positive, somewhat positive, somewhat
negative, or very negative?" 16 percent of the
public said very positive, 66 percent said somewhat
positive, 12 percent said somewhat negative, and 3
percent said very negative.
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