New Report from the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life Finds Religion in U.S. is Non-Dogmatic, Diverse and Politically Relevant
Source: Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life

The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life today released its second report on the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, which finds that while many Americans are highly religious, most are not dogmatic in their approach to faith. This new analysis examines the diversity of Americans’ religious beliefs and practices as well as their social and political attitudes. It follows the first report of the Landscape Survey, which was published in February 2008 and detailed the size, internal changes and demographic characteristics of major religions in the United States.

“The fact that most Americans are not exclusive or dogmatic about their religion is a fascinating finding,” said Luis Lugo, director of the Pew Forum. “Most people will be surprised that a majority of adherents in nearly all religious traditions, including a majority of evangelical Protestants, say that there isn’t just one way to salvation or to interpret the teachings of their own faith.”

Based on interviews conducted in English and Spanish with a nationally representative sample of more than 35,000 adults, part two of the Landscape Survey includes a wealth of information on the religious beliefs and practices of the American public. It also explores the social and political attitudes of religious groups, including members of many small religious traditions – such as Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, atheists and agnostics – not typically analyzed in public opinion surveys.

“This report illustrates, chapter and verse, the amazing diversity and dynamism both between and within religious traditions in America,” noted John Green, senior fellow at the Pew Forum. “And this diversity of affiliation, belief and practice matters when it comes to social and political questions.”

+ Summary of Key Findings
+ Full Report (PDF; 2.5 MB)

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 at 8:47 am and is filed under Political process, Religion and spirituality, Social and cultural issues. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.