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Religion's influence, after Sept. 11 spurt, back to normal levels
By Adelle Banks
Religion News Service
March 22, 2002
WASHINGTON—Americans' view of the influence of religion on national life has returned
to pre-Sept. 11 levels, while their favorable ratings of U.S. Muslims remain higher than a
year ago, the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life reports in a new poll.
Thirty-seven percent of Americans polled in recent weeks think religion's influence on
American life is increasing, compared to 78 percent in a poll taken in mid-November.
"The favorability for Muslims, which had shot up post-911, has tapered off slightly but it
still rests at a very significant improvement from last year at this time," said Melissa Rogers,
executive director of the forum, which conducted the poll in conjunction with the Pew
Research Center for the People and the Press.
American Muslims were viewed favorably by 54 percent of those surveyed, down from 59
percent in November, but higher than the 45 percent rating in March 2001. In comparison,
evangelical Christians had a favorability rating of 55 percent, while Protestants, Catholics
and Jews were each rated favorably by 74 percent.
Respondents also differentiated their views about Muslims and Islam. Thirty-eight percent
of Americans said they have a favorable view of the religion and 33 percent said they had
an unfavorable view.
The survey, which touched on subjects ranging from morality to global conflict, also found
that the vast majority of Americans think many religions can lead to eternal life.
Seventy-five percent of those polled agreed with that idea, compared to 18 percent who
said their own religion is the "one true faith." Evangelical Christians are evenly divided on
the matter, with 48 percent saying many religions lead to eternal life and an equal number
disagreeing.
"It does not seem to line up with many of the public statements of evangelicalism but
perhaps there's just a softer feeling underlying that," Rogers said. "It could be that some
of the more ecumenical discussion ... of late has influenced that, but that's hard to say."
Although the American public seems evenly split over whether one can be moral without
believing in God, 61 percent say children raised with a religious emphasis are more likely
to become moral adults. Thirty-five percent of those polled said children raised without
religion are just as likely to live a moral adult life.
"Americans view religion as a powerful force for good in the nation and in the world, but
they also believe it can be a catalyst for conflict," Rogers said.
Sixty-five percent of Americans believe religion plays a significant role in most wars and
other conflicts in the world.
Among the other findings of the second annual poll:
91 percent of the public reject the idea that Sept. 11 indicated God no longer protects
the United States.
84 percent believe a person can be a good American without religious faith.
79 percent oppose government development of programs to encourage people to get
and stay married.
76 percent support the death penalty for people convicted of terrorism.
70 percent think churches should not make political endorsements.
62 percent think Catholic church leaders have mostly tried to cover up cases of alleged
sexual abuse by priests, compared to 26 percent who think church officials have
attempted to address the problem.
The nationwide telephone poll of 2,002 adults was conducted Feb. 25-March 10 and had
a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.
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