2009 Progressive Religious Activist Survey
Final Topline Results
N=1,886
1. In your judgment, how important was the 2008 election to the future of the country?
Very
Important
(1)
84
(2)
12
(3)
2
Somewhat
Important
(4)
1
(5)
*
(6)
1
Not at all
Important
(7)
*
Ref.
-*
2. Overall, what impact do you think the results of the 2008 election will have on American society?
Very
Positive
(1)
43
(2)
31
(3)
16
Mixed
Results
(4)
7
(5)
1
(6)
*
Very
Negative
(7)
1
Ref.
-1
3. Regarding expressions of religious faith and prayer by political leaders in 2008 was there:
39
52
5
4
100
Too much
About the right amount
Too little
Refused (VOL.)
Total
4. In your opinion, how much influence did the following groups have on the 2008 election results?
a. Gay rights groups
b. Religious conservative groups
c. Labor unions
d. Business groups
e. African American groups
f. Gun owner groups
g. Religious progressive groups
Great
Influence
(5)
4
8
9
12
28
4
9
Bliss Institute & Public Religion Research
(4)
12
22
35
29
35
14
34
Some
Influence
(3)
52
39
42
40
27
31
39
(2)
20
22
10
14
7
33
13
Little
Influence
(1)
9
7
2
2
1
15
3
Ref.
-3
2
2
3
2
3
2
1
5. In your opinion, what is the most important thing progressive religious people should do to increase
or maintain their influence in national politics?
33
22
5
4
2
15
13
12
10
7
10
100
Be visible and publicly influential
Speak out, Act
Organize
Reclaim faith from the Right
Serve as an example
Be politically active
Focus on civility/pluralism and common good
Advocate for social justice issues
Support separation of church and state
Other/Misc
Refused
Total
6. Some religious leaders have argued that religious people should withdraw from politics and
rededicate themselves to non-political pursuits. What is your view on this matter?
Should withdraw
for non-political
activities
(1)
7
(2)
4
(3)
3
Do some
of both
(4)
36
(5)
13
Stay focused
on political
action
(7)
19
(6)
14
Ref.
-4
7. Do you think religious people should focus more on domestic issues like poverty or on foreign
policy issues like ending the Iraq war?
Focus on
domestic issues
(1)
45
(2)
12
(3)
5
Focus on
both kinds
of issues
(4)
32
(5)
1
(6)
1
Focus on
foreign
policy
(7)
2
Ref.
-2
8. What should be the main goal for religious people when they engage in politics?
16
36
39
9
100
To proclaim their distinctive values
To correct specific social problems
To transform the society overall
Refused (VOL.)
Total
Bliss Institute & Public Religion Research
2
9. Which of the following statements comes closest to your views?
65
23
7
5
100
Political action by religious people can help establish justice in American society
Political action by religious people is unlikely establish justice in American society but it
could correct some injustice.
Political action by religious people will do little to establish justice in American society
Refused (VOL.)
Total
10. Overall, what worries you more:
13
81
6
100
Public officials who don’t pay enough attention to religion
Public officials who are too close to religious leaders
Refused (VOL.)
Total
PRIORITIES AND ISSUES
11. How important is it for people of religious people to focus on the following issues?
a. Poverty/Homelessness
b. Abortion
c. The Iraq War
d. The environment
e. Health care
f. Immigration
g. Same-sex marriage
h. Jobs/the economy
The most
Important
(1)
74
7
45
56
67
21
8
48
(2)
22
16
37
35
26
38
19
31
Not
Sure
(3)
1
16
9
4
3
19
17
11
(4)
*
30
4
1
1
11
20
4
Not at all
Important
(5)
*
26
1
1
*
6
31
2
Ref.
-3
5
4
3
3
5
5
4
12. Which of these statements comes closest to your view of the proper legal status of marriage?
4
33
59
4
100
The law should define marriage as a union between one man and one woman
The law should define marriage as a union between one man and one woman, but
recognize legal agreements between same-sex couples
The law should define marriage as a union between two people regardless of their gender
Refused (VOL.)
Total
13. Which of the following statements best describes your view on abortion?
26
54
13
2
5
100
Legal in all cases
Legal in most cases
Illegal in most cases
Illegal in all cases
Refused (VOL.)
Total
Bliss Institute & Public Religion Research
3
14 Which of the following statements comes closest to your view on the war in Iraq?
3
2
13
80
2
100
It was completely justified
It was probably justified
It was probably unjustified
It was completely unjustified
Refused (VOL.)
Total
15. Which of these statements comes closest to your view?
21
75
4
100
The U.S. should keep its troops in Iraq until the situation has stabilized
The U.S. should bring its troops home as soon as possible
Refused (VOL.)
Total
16. Do you think the use of torture against suspected terrorists in order to gain important
information is:
1
4
14
79
2
100
Often justified
Sometimes justified
Rarely justified
Never justified
Refused (VOL.)
Total
17. Who do you think is most responsible for the current economic crisis?
42
47
6
5
100
Corporations that were greedy and made risky business decisions
Government that neglected its duty and allowed unethical business practices
Individuals who were careless and borrowed more money than they could afford
Refused (VOL.)
Total
18. Where do you stand on government spending and services?
Provide fewer services
and cut spending
(1)
3
(2)
2
(3)
24
(4)
39
Provide more services
and increase spending
(5)
29
Ref.
-3
19. Which of the following statements comes closest to your view?
89
7
4
100
Tax cuts should be directed at lower income people to increase fairness
Tax cuts should be direct at upper income people to increase economic growth
Refused (VOL.)
Total
Bliss Institute & Public Religion Research
4
20. Which of the following statements comes closest to your view?
16
75
9
100
Large tax cuts are good for the economy because they encourage necessary investment
and create jobs
Large tax cuts are bad for the economy because they cause budget deficits and prevent
necessary government spending
Refused (VOL.)
Total
Q.21 HELD FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS
22. What are your views on the following issues?
Strongly
Agree
Agree
Not
Sure
27
45
17
7
1
3
73
18
4
2
1
2
4
8
18
36
31
3
50
37
8
2
1
2
3
4
7
19
65
2
38
40
12
5
2
3
2
7
13
30
45
3
a. The federal government should spend more to reduce
poverty and hunger in the U.S. even if it means raising
taxes on the middle class
b. HELD FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS
c. Homosexuals should have all the same rights and
privileges as other Americans
d. The U.S. should support Israel over the Palestinians
in the Middle East
e. HELD FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS
f. HELD FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS
g. More environmental protection is needed even if it
raises prices or costs jobs
h. The government should ban all scientific research
involving stem cells from human embryos
i. The U.S. should have comprehensive national health
insurance even if it means fewer choices for patients
j. HELD FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS
k. HELD FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS
l. Given the threat of terrorism, the U.S. must be able to
take preemptive military action against other countries
Strongly
Disagree Disagree
Ref.
GENERAL POLITICAL VIEWS
23. Overall, how would you describe your views on political issues?
Extremely
Conservative
(1)
*
(2)
1
Moderate
(4)
14
(3)
1
(5)
28
(6)
41
Extremely
Liberal
(7)
12
Ref.
-3
(6)
1
Strong
Republican
(7)
1
Ref.
-3
24. How would you describe your political partisanship?
Strong
Democrat
(1)
28
(2)
33
(3)
23
Pure
Independent
(4)
9
Bliss Institute & Public Religion Research
(5)
2
5
25. I tend to strongly support my party:
19
38
33
2
*
8
100
Under all circumstances
Only when it offers a candidate I believe in
Only when it pursues issues important to me
Only when the opposition is inferior
Only when it has a real chance of winning
Refused (VOL.)
Total
26. Who was your first choice for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination?
23
5
4
9
26
33
100
John McCain
Mitt Romney
Mike Huckabee
Other
None
Refused (VOL.)
Total
27. Who was your first choice for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination?
58
22
6
9
1
4
100
Barack Obama
Hillary Clinton
John Edwards
Other
None
Refused (VOL.)
Total
28. Who did you vote for in the 2008 presidential election?
93
3
1
*
3
100
Barack Obama
John McCain
Other
Did not vote
Refused (VOL.)
Total
29. Which of the following statements best describes the relationship of your religious faith to
your voting decision in 2008?
20
41
18
19
2
100
My faith was more important to my voting decision than other factors
My faith was about as important to my voting decision as other factors
My faith was less important to my voting decision than other factors
My faith was not at all important to my voting decision
Refused (VOL.)
Total
Bliss Institute & Public Religion Research
6
30. Which of the following statements comes closest to your view?
17
20
57
6
100
America has always been and is currently a Christian nation
America was a Christian nation in the past, but it is not now
America has never been a Christian nation
Refused (VOL.)
Total
POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT
31. How involved were you in the following political campaigns in 2008?
a. Presidential general election
b. Presidential primary campaign
c. Congressional campaigns
d. Statewide campaigns
e. Local campaigns
f. Ballot issues
Very
Active
(1)
15
11
5
4
5
5
(2)
20
16
11
11
11
11
Somewhat
Active
(3)
30
29
25
22
18
18
(4)
15
19
21
20
23
20
Not
Active
(5)
17
22
33
38
38
41
Ref.
-3
3
5
5
5
5
32. Did you engage in any of these political activities in the 2008 or 2004 elections?
a. Campaigned door-to-door
b. Made a campaign donation
c. Contacted public officials
d. Participated in a protest
e. Engaged in fundraising
f. Served as party official
g. Passed out voter guides
h. Joined a political group
i. Made campaign phone calls
j. Wrote letter to editor
k. Attended campaign rally
l. Ran for public office
m. Signed a petition
n. Participated in a boycott
o. Attended public meeting
p. Registered new voters
q. Canvassed churches
r. Organized campaign event
Yes, in
2008
17
74
54
22
21
3
15
23
24
20
34
1
64
8
40
15
3
5
Bliss Institute & Public Religion Research
Yes, in
2004
12
48
36
22
10
2
10
13
15
15
19
1
43
7
24
10
2
3
7
33. In 2008 campaign season, did you do any of the following things?
a. Emailed a candidate or campaign
b. Signed an online petition
c. Read a political blog
d. Participated in a live webchat
e. Listened to a campaign podcast
f. Emailed information to friends
g. Discussed politics on a social networking site
h. Signed up to receive political emails
i. Make a political donation online
j. Written about politics on a blog
k. Viewed a political video online
l. Participated in a meet-up
m. Downloaded voter guides
Yes
61
72
64
5
25
65
21
68
54
10
60
12
25
No
39
28
36
95
75
35
79
32
46
90
40
88
75
34. In what year did you first become actively involved in politics?
15
6
9
15
25
7
6
16
100
2000-2008
1990-1999
1980-1989
1970-1979
1960-1969
1950-1959
Before 1950
Refused (VOL.)
Total
Q.35 HELD FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS
36. Do you consider yourself to be part of the progressive religious movement?
68
27
5
100
Yes
No
Refused (VOL.)
Total
37. Do you belong to or contribute to a progressive religious organization that focuses on issues such
as social justice, peace, and the environment?
72
22
6
100
Yes
No
Refused (VOL.)
Total
Bliss Institute & Public Religion Research
8
38. IF YES [Q37=1], how did you come to join this organization? [N=1,445]
a. I searched for a group to join
b. Literature at a political event
c. A friend from my religious community asked me to join
d. Someone else asked me
e. I saw an ad or notice for the group
f. Literature at a religious community event
g. A friend from outside of my religious community asked me to join
h. I received direct mail or email solicitation
Yes
19
3
22
11
24
16
4
38
No
81
97
78
89
76
84
96
62
39. IF YES [Q37=1], do you regularly engage in the following activities? [N=1,445]
Yes
27
23
18
32
75
86
a. Attend local meetings of the group
b. Work with allied groups
c. Hold a leadership position
d. Participate in group activities or projects
e. Pay dues or donate money to the group
f. Receive a newsletter or other materials
No
73
77
82
68
25
14
40. IF YES [Q37=1], does this group do any of the following kinds of activities? [N=1,445]
Yes
74
20
80
17
71
25
23
66
a. Contact public officials
b Conduct voter registration drives
c Educate citizens on issues
d Draft legislation
e. Urge members to contact federal officials
f. Conduct get out the vote programs
g. Participate in election campaign
h. Conduct awareness campaigns
No
26
80
20
83
29
75
77
34
41. IF YES [Q37=1], does this group receive support from any of these sources? [N=1,445]
a. Support from members
b. Support from a political party
c. Support from businesses
d. Support from churches or ministries groups
e Support from foundations or charities
f. Support from allied groups
Bliss Institute & Public Religion Research
Yes
86
2
6
50
29
21
No
14
98
94
50
71
79
9
Q.42 HELD FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS
43. How do you feel about the following statements?
a. The main cause of America’s problems is
moral decay.
b. We should tolerate diverse views on morality.
c. HELD FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS
d. The main cause of America’s problems is
poverty and discrimination
e. Social justice is at the heart of all authentic
religious values
f. Clergy and congregations should stay out of
politics.
g. HELD FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS
h. We should encourage ethnic, racial, and
religious diversity in society
i. HELD FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS
j. HELD FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS
k. We must maintain a strict separation of church
and state.
l. Religious people should cooperate in politics
even if they disagree on religious questions
m. It is necessary to believe in God in order to be
a moral person.
Please answer if you are a Christian… [N=1,341]
n. Because of Christ's commandments, Christians
have a special obligation to solve social problems
o. If enough people were brought to Christ, social
ills would take care of themselves
Bliss Institute & Public Religion Research
Strongly
Agree
Agree
Not
Sure
Strongly
Disagree Disagree
5
27
12
21
50
40
19
9
19
35
7
16
14
1
7
6
6
6
13
34
27
17
3
6
45
32
8
6
4
5
14
16
12
35
18
5
64
28
3
1
1
3
51
30
8
5
2
4
26
47
14
5
2
6
3
3
6
31
54
3
48
39
4
4
1
4
4
9
22
39
22
4
Ref.
10
44. What is your opinion of the following groups and leaders?
Groups…
a. Interfaith Alliance
b. Prison Fellowship
c. Center for American Progress
d. Bread for the World
e. Religious Action Center for
Reformed Judaism
f. Evangelicals for Social Action
g. ACLU
h. Focus on the Family
j. Religious Coalition for
Reproductive Choice
k. NAACP
l. Human Rights Campaign
m. Catholics in Alliance for the
Common Good
n. Let Justice Roll Campaign
o. Jewish Funds for Justice
p. Tikkun/Network of Spiritual
Progressives
q. Faith in Public Life
r. People for the American Way
s. Sojourners/Call for Renewal
Leaders…
a. Barack Obama
b. Sarah Palin
c. Pat Robertson
d. Joe Biden
e. John McCain
f. Hillary Clinton
g. Jesse Jackson
h. Mike Huckabee
(4)
1
5
1
*
Very
Unfavorable
(5)
*
2
1
1
Ref.
-12
19
26
18
I am a
Member or
contributor
-25
1
1
8
60
44
12
15
1
5
7
17
1
6
4
43
24
24
11
17
2
1
15
1
23
44
25
34
15
29
5
4
1
4
2
1
20
16
18
4
5
5
7
5
8
9
9
12
56
59
54
2
1
2
1
*
1
25
26
23
2
1
2
14
3
16
32
14
6
16
17
48
62
39
28
2
2
6
2
1
1
4
1
21
26
19
20
3
1
8
12
81
1
*
32
2
29
6
1
13
2
2
50
25
51
34
17
1
5
4
10
23
11
33
28
1
18
17
3
34
4
18
30
1
71
74
2
11
2
5
20
3
3
3
3
5
3
4
4
---------
Very
Favorable
(1)
41
12
5
30
(2)
20
23
8
22
Not
Sure
(3)
26
39
59
29
6
6
31
3
8
15
35
5
14
19
26
Bliss Institute & Public Religion Research
11
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
45. Religious affiliation
44
10
17
1
12
6
1
8
1
100
Mainline Protestant
Evangelical Protestant
Roman Catholic
Other Christians
Unitarian/Mixed Faith
Jewish
Other Faiths
Unaffiliated
Refused (VOL.)
Total
45a. My church or religious community should:
12
65
13
10
100
Strive to preserve its traditional beliefs and practices
Be willing to adjust traditions in light of new ideas
Strive to adopt modern beliefs and practices
Refused (VOL.)
Total
46. Do any of the following describe your religious views? Please check all that apply.
a. Liberal
b. Progressive
c. Ecumenical
d. Interfaith
e. Mainline
f. born-again
g. Charismatic
h. Pentecostal
i. Evangelical
j. Traditional
k. Fundamentalist
Yes
48
70
51
48
25
12
4
1
13
14
1
No
52
30
49
52
75
88
96
99
87
86
99
47. How important is religion in your life?
43
31
10
7
6
3
100
Extremely important
Very important
Somewhat important
Not too important
Not at all important
Refused (VOL.)
Total
Bliss Institute & Public Religion Research
12
48. Aside from weddings and funerals, how often do you attend worship services?
25
36
13
11
13
2
100
More than once a week
Once a week
Several times a month
A few times a year
Seldom/Never
Refused (VOL.)
Total
49. Which comes closest to your view of the Scriptures?
3
19
36
21
17
4
100
50. Gender:
46
52
2
100
The actual Word of God, to be taken literally
The inspired Word of God, but not to be taken literally on all points
Contains the Word of God, but reflects the historical context in which it was written
One important source of wisdom about God and humankind
Ancient books of moral precepts, stories, and legends
Refused (VOL.)
Total
Male
Female
Refused (VOL.)
Total
51. State of residence:
16
20
27
24
13
100
Northeast
Midwest
South
West
Refused (VOL.)
Total
52. Size of place:
16
18
9
13
16
24
4
100
Rural/small town
Small city
Suburbs of medium city
Medium city
Suburbs of major city
Major city
Refused (VOL.)
Total
Bliss Institute & Public Religion Research
13
53. Age:
4
13
38
43
2
100
Under 35
35-50
51-65
Over 65
Refused (VOL.)
Total
54. Marital Status:
55
8
9
10
5
11
2
100
Married
Remarried
Widowed
Divorced/separated
Partnered
Never Married
Refused (VOL.)
Total
55. Do you have school-aged children?
13
84
3
100
Yes
No
Refused (VOL.)
Total
56. If YES, do your children attend: [BASED ON TOTAL]
87
11
1
1
*
0
100
No children
Public school
Christian school
Parochial school
Home school
Refused (VOL.)
Total
57. Race:
92
2
*
1
5
100
White
African American
Hispanic
Asian
Refused (VOL.)
Total
Bliss Institute & Public Religion Research
14
58. Education:
*
1
7
17
72
3
100
Less than high school
High school graduate
Some college/technical training
College graduate
Post-graduate training or degree
Refused (VOL.)
Total
59. Occupation:
39
41
20
100
Current
Retired
Refused (VOL.)
Total
60. Approximate 2008 family income:
5
20
20
16
17
6
3
4
9
100
Under $25,000
$25,000-$49,999
$50,000-$74,999
$75,000-$99,999
$100,000-$149,999
$150,000-$199,999
$200,000-$250,000
Over $250,000
Refused (VOL.)
Total
Thank you for your time and consideration!
Bliss Institute & Public Religion Research
15