Public Agenda Online: For Goodness' Sake

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Here's a selection of the actual questions used in our telephone survey of the general public used to create For Goodness' Sake. Answer any of the questions to see how your views compare with the national sample. The complete survey included more than 100 questions and took an average of a half-hour. The margin of error is +/- 3 percent. Complete details are available in the Methodology.

How appropriate do you think it is for people to bring up their religious beliefs at their workplace with co-workers? Is talking about religion almost always appropriate, should it be brought up only with care, or is it best to avoid it if you can?

Almost always appropriate

Should be brought up only with care

Best to avoid it if you can

Don't know

How appropriate do you think it is for people to bring up their religious beliefs when they are with friends and acquaintances at a social occasion, such as a party? Is talking about religion almost always appropriate, should it be brought up only with care, or is it best to avoid it if you can?

Almost always appropriate

Should be brought up only with care

Best to avoid it if you can

Don't know

Do you think that voters should seriously consider the religious affiliation of candidates when they decide whom to support, or is it wrong to do so?

Should seriously consider religious affiliation

It's wrong to do so

Don't know

Would you be more likely or less likely to vote for a candidate for political office who draws emotional comfort and strength from religion or would this make no difference to you?

More likely

Less likely

No difference

Don't know

Would you be more likely or less likely to vote for a candidate for political office who always votes for legislation according to his or her religious convictions or would this make no difference to you?

More likely

Less likely

No difference

Don't know

Would you be more likely or less likely to vote for a candidate for political office who keeps religious faith separate from actions while in government or would this make no difference to you?

More likely

Less likely

No difference

Don't know

Would you be more likely or less likely to vote for a candidate for political office who is open about NOT believing in God or would this make no difference to you?

More likely

Less likely

No difference

Don't know

Would you be more likely or less likely to vote for a candidate for political office who relies on church leaders for advice on how to vote on specific legislation or would this make no difference to you?

More likely

Less likely

No difference

Don't know

How should the public schools deal with the issue of prayer in the classroom? In your view, would it be best for the public schools to:

Have a moment of silence

Say a Christian prayer which refers to Jesus

Say a prayer that refers to God but no specific religion

Public schools should avoid all of these

Don't know

School prayer is one of the most effective ways we can improve the values and behavior of today's young people. Do you agree or disagree?

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

School prayer teaches children that faith in religion and God is an important part of life. Do you agree or disagree?

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

School prayer violates the constitution and the idea of separation of church and state. Do you agree or disagree?

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

School prayer embarrasses and isolates students whose religion is different or who are not religious at all. Do you agree or disagree?

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

School prayer is unfair to parents who think they should be the ones to decide what to teach their children about religion, not the schools. Do you agree or disagree?

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know