- Joined
- May 31, 2005
- Messages
- 2,963
- Reaction score
- 855
- Location
- Milwaukee, WI
- Gender
- Male
- Political Leaning
- Libertarian
The Graduate Center, a doctorate-granting institution for The City University of New York, conducted a survey that categorized the religious identification of 50,281 random American households. It was put together in 2001, as a follow up to a similar survey done in 1990. The primary question was, “What is your religion, if any?” Then, when appropriate, the same was asked about the spouse/partner. The interviewer did not provide a list of suggested answers; respondents were expected to answer on their own. The results were very interesting. Christians made up 76.5% of the interviewees. This was a significant decrease from the 86.2% in 1990. The category of Other Religious Groups remained somewhat steady at 3.7% compared to 3.3%. This sect consisted of, but was not limited to, Jews, Muslims, Wiccans, and Pagans. Probably the most surprising outcome was people who answered, “No religion.” This response was combined with Atheist, Agnostic, Humanist, and Secular. That population has more than doubled since 1990 from 14.3 million to 29.5 million. It is the fastest growing faction in the survey with 14.1% of Americans claiming it, compared to 8.2% last decade.
It is important to note that The Graduate Center survey is probably the most reliable source of religious and non-religious identification. The United States Census Bureau is prohibited from asking any mandatory questions based on religious affiliation. An investigator is referred to other organizations that are allowed to do these types of surveys. Recommended centers are The Glenmary Research Center, The Hartford Institute for Religious Research at Hartford Seminary, and The American Religion Data Archive. The figures offered by The Glenmary Research Center, and The Hartford Institute for Religious Research, were calculated from questionnaires sent to congregations only--atheists were not questioned--so this was meant to determine religious affiliation only. The American Religion Data Archive is a database of surveys. They were conducted, and submitted, by any given person; their accuracy is not verified before being placed into the database. The Graduate Center is not affiliated with any religious organizations, and their members conducted the survey. It was the only one found that represents both atheists and theists.
Should Christianity be concerned?
http://www.gc.cuny.edu/faculty/research_briefs/aris/key_findings.htm
It is important to note that The Graduate Center survey is probably the most reliable source of religious and non-religious identification. The United States Census Bureau is prohibited from asking any mandatory questions based on religious affiliation. An investigator is referred to other organizations that are allowed to do these types of surveys. Recommended centers are The Glenmary Research Center, The Hartford Institute for Religious Research at Hartford Seminary, and The American Religion Data Archive. The figures offered by The Glenmary Research Center, and The Hartford Institute for Religious Research, were calculated from questionnaires sent to congregations only--atheists were not questioned--so this was meant to determine religious affiliation only. The American Religion Data Archive is a database of surveys. They were conducted, and submitted, by any given person; their accuracy is not verified before being placed into the database. The Graduate Center is not affiliated with any religious organizations, and their members conducted the survey. It was the only one found that represents both atheists and theists.
Should Christianity be concerned?
http://www.gc.cuny.edu/faculty/research_briefs/aris/key_findings.htm
Last edited: