Abstract
This article reviews recent survey indicators on religi˙ous life in America. Generally the surveys reveal a rising tide of religious interest. The “highly spiritually committed” are more satisfied with their lives, more tolerant of others, and more concerned with the betterment of society. Despite the high interest in religion, there are glaring inconsistencies: levels of morality and ethics remain low, hunger is a reality for many Americans, and levels of self-esteem are low for many persons.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
1. Conducted by the Princeton Religion Research Center, Princeton, NJ, and the Gallup Organization, Princeton, NJ, for the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, 1977.
2.
2. Conducted for a coalition of 31 faiths and denominations, 1978.
3.
3. Conducted for Our Sunday Visitor , 1978.
4.
4. Conducted for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America, 1980.
5.
5. Conducted for Christianity Today , 1978.
6.
6. Conducted for the Robert H. Schuller Ministries, 1983.
7.
7. Undertaken by the University of Pennsylvania Annenberg School of Communications, Philadelphia, PA, and the Gallup Organization, and initiated by the National Council of Churches, the United States Catholic Conference, and National Religious Broadcasters, 1983.
8.
8. Completed in 1984, this survey was undertaken for the Robert H. Schuller Ministries.
9.
9. Part of a larger study undertaken for Faith Development in the Adult Life Cycle, a research project of the Religious Education Association of the United States and Canada in cooperation with the Center for Religious Education, College of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN, 1982-85.
10.
10. Michael McManus's nationally syndicated column, “Religion and Ethics.”