wfn.org | Survey finds Americans believe that religion can improve society

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Note #6478 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

5-April-2001
01120

Survey finds Americans believe that religion can improve society

Silent prayer is best solution to public school prayer dilemma, respondents
say

by Episcopal News Service

NEW YORK CITY - A recent survey finds that most Americans believe that
religion can improve contemporary society, although they are wary about any
direct injection of religion into the nation's politics.

	The national survey of 1,507 included people from the general public, focus
groups and consultations with experts on religion and public life. It was
conducted by the New York-based, nonpartisan, nonprofit Public Agenda,
supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts. It is called "For Goodness Sake: Why
So Many Want Religion to Play a Greater Role in American Life."

	Respondents said that children benefit from religion. For example, 85
percent said that parents would do a better job if they were more religious
and 69 percent said that "more religion is the best way to strengthen family
values and moral behavior." But over half said that public schools should
deal with the issue of prayer by having a moment of silence, not an
expressly religious prayer. And over half feel that public schools often go
overboard in taking the meaning out of holiday celebrations for most
students by limiting the use of religious symbols.

	About 60 percent said that deeply religious elected officials should be
willing to compromise with their colleagues who may hold different views.
Evangelical Christians, however, are more likely to say that officials
should vote based on their own religious views.

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