Public Agenda Online: For Goodness' Sake

Public Agenda Online

For Goodness' Sake: Why So Many Americans Want Religion to Play a Greater Role in Public Life

Chapter 5: The More, the Better?

Americans make some subtle distinctions about the role religion should play in government itself, but they strongly endorse the right of religious groups and leaders to speak out on social and political questions. Most have little fear that the country could be pulled into sectarian strife. The public believes religious leaders have every right to have their say—although groups in the minority, such as Jewish and nonreligious Americans, are worried that this can get out of hand. Despite these differences, few see religious involvement as the magic solution to the nation's dilemmas. The public is also doubtful that religious leaders will get a fair hearing, since people are not confident in the news media's coverage of religion. The public is dubious about the media's fairness on religious issues, but these concerns are not especially intense.

Religious leaders have as much right as anyone else to participate in the political process. Is that very close, somewhat close, not too close or not close at all to your own view?

Very close: 55%

Somewhat close: 30%

Not too close: 8%

Not close at all: 6%

Don't know: 2%

Do you think that our political system would be threatened if religious leaders and groups were to become a lot more involved in politics, or do you think our political system could easily handle this type of involvement?

Political system would be threatened: 31%

Political system could handle this: 63%

Don't know: 6%

In your view, how should religious leaders have responded to the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky scandal? Do you think they should have:

Forcefully spoken out in public to condemn the behavior: 23%

Forcefully spoken out to say we're all human and deserve forgiveness: 33%

Stayed clear of the scandal altogether: 34%

Both condemned behavior and spoke out for forgiveness (vol.): 8%

Don't know: 3%

Some people suggest that the government should increase its funding of religious groups and churches that offer programs to help drug addicts or the homeless. Which of the following comes closer to your own view:

This is a good idea, but only if these programs stay away from religious messages: 23%

This is a good idea, even if these programs promote religious messages: 44%

It's a bad idea for government to be funding religious organizations: 31%

Don't know: 3%

Would you favor or oppose giving religious groups and churches more government money to fund their programs aimed at helping the poor? Is that strongly or somewhat?

Strongly favor: 35%

Somewhat favor: 28%

Somewhat oppose: 14%

Strongly oppose: 20%

Don't know: 3%

How close does this statement come to your own view: Too many journalists have a built-in bias against religion and religious people. Is that close, somewhat close, not too close, or not close at all to your own view?

Very close: 28%

Somewhat close: 28%

Not too close: 22%

Not close at all: 17%

Don't know: 6%