A new Gallup Values and Beliefs poll quoted that 55% of those in the United States believe that religion can answer all or most of today's problems. According to the Gallup, although this percentage has declined substantially over time, it has been relatively stable over the past year and a half — but it is now up from the all-time low of 51% in May 2015.
In retrospect, this figure was very high, especially in 1957, a time of greater religious commitment in the United States when 82% of Americans said that religion could answer all or most of the day's problems. The measure has declined since 2002 (when it was 66%), reaching 51% — the all-time low — in May 2015.
Results for this Gallup poll are based on telephone interviews conducted May 3-7, 2017; with a random sample of 1,011 adults aged 18 and older living in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Gallup further says 71% of Republicans believe religion “can answer today’s problems” compared to 47% of Democrats.
This number varies according to whether the respondents attend church or not. Among those who report attending church every week, 85% say religion answers problems, compared with 33% of those who seldom or never attend. Americans who attend church semi-regularly — nearly weekly or monthly — are closer to weekly attenders than non-attenders in their views, with 69% believing religion can help solve today's problems.
Religious preferences also have influence on results and 71% of Protestants or other Christians believe that religion can answer most, if not all, problems; while 60% of Catholics believe the same. Not surprisingly, 9% of those with no religious preference believe religion can answer problems; but 81% say it is old-fashioned and out of date.
Americans continue to perceive that religion is less influential than it used to be, with 72% in 2016 say that religion is losing its influence on American life. Despite the fact that religious fervor may be declining, a slim majority of Americans (55%) still think religion is a very important part of their lives in 21st-century life.
Photo Credits: Patheos
