relsur.html


Anthropology 116
Prof. Varisco
Fall 2000
September 2000 Class Survey on Religion

The following survey was given in class on Sept. 6, 2000 and is tabulated according to sex. There were 11 male (M) responses and 21 female (F) responses. This is not a statistically valid sampling, but is meant to serve as a catalyst to class discussion. See if you can find any inconsistencies or surprises. [ Note that percentages are rounded off to the nearest whole number. NR stands for no response or choice not given.]

1. What religion were you brought up in (even if you no longer follow it)?
Catholic 6M (56%) 14F (67%)
Hindu 1F (5%)
Jewish 1M (9%) 1F (5%)
Muslim 1M (9%) 1F (5%)
None 1M (9%) 2F (10%)
Protestant 2M (18%) 12 (10%

2. What other religions have you tried or considered joining?
Buddhist 1F (5%)
Judaism 2F (10%)
Protestant 12 (10%)
7th Day Adventist 1F (5%)
Wicca 2F (10%)

3. Do you think there is only one true religion?
Yes 2M (18%) 1F (5%)
No 9M (81%) 20F (96%)

4. Do you define yourself now as a "religious" person?
Yes 6M (56%) 6F (29%)
No 5M (45%) 15F (72%)

5. Do you define yourself now as a "spiritual" person?
Yes 7M (63%) 14F (67%)
No 4M (36%) 7F (34%)

6. Do you regularly attend religious services?
Yes 1M (9%) 3F (14%)
No 10M (90%) 18F (86%)

7. Do you think a person can be religious without attending formal religious services?
Yes 10M (90%) 20F (96%)
No 1M (9%) 1F (5%)

8. Can a person be religious and not believe in a supreme god?
Yes 10M (90%) 15F (62%)
No 1M (9%) 8F (38%)

9. Do you believe in God?
Yes 8M (72%) 19F (91%)
No 2M (18%) 2F (10%)
NR 1M (9%)

10. Do you believe in such things as "spirits" or "ghosts" of the dead?
Yes 5M (45%) 18F (86%)
No 6M (56%) 3F (14%)

11. Do you believe in "angels"?
Yes 4M (36%) 20F (96%)
No 7M (63%) 1F (10%)

12. Do you think there is some kind of physical "afterlife"?
Yes 7M (63%) 17F (82%)
No 4M (36%) 4F (19%)

13. Do you believe that people who are evil will end up in a literal hell and suffer eternal fire?
Yes 2M (18%) 8F (38%)
No 9M (81%) 12F (58%)

14. Do you think magic and supersitition have a place in religion?
Yes 5M (45%) 18F (86%)
No 6M (56%) 3F (14%)

15. Do you think the universe was created by God?
Yes 5M (45%) 15F (72%)
No 5M (45%) 4F (19%)
NR 1M (9%) 2F (10%)

16. Do you think the first man and woman were literally created by God rather than by a natural process of evolution?
Yes 4M (36%) 11F (53%)
No 6M (56%) 7F (34%)
NR 1M (9%) 2F (10%)

17. Do you think that religion generally reduces or increases war and violence between peoples?
Reduces violence 3F (14%)
Increases violence 10M (90%) 14F (67%)
No real effect either way 1M (9%) 4F (19%)

18. Do you think your religion adequately addresses your sexual desires and needs?
Yes 3M (27%) 12F (58%)
No 8M (72%) 9F (43%)

19. Do you think sex outside of marriage is morally wrong?
Yes 1M (9%) 3F (14%)
No 10M (90%) 18F (86%)
20. Are there some kinds of sex acts (between consenting adults) that should not be performed because of religious reasons?
Yes 2M (18%) 4F (19%)

21. Is homosexuality morally wrong due to religious reasons?
Yes 4F (36%) 5F (24%)
No 7M (63%) 15F (72%)
NR 1F (5%)

22. Should women be allowed to be religious leaders (e.g., priests, rabbis, imams, etc.)?
Yes 69 (81%) 20F (96%)
No 2M (18%) 1F (5%)

23. Would you prefer to marry someone with the same religious background?
Yes 8M (72%) 15F (72%)
No 3M (27%) 6F (29%)
24. Do you intend to raise your children according to your own religious background?
Yes 9M (81%) 18F (86%)
No 2M (18%) 3F (14%)

25. Do you think there will be a time in the future when there is no need for religion?
Yes 1M (9%) 1F (5%)
No 10M (90%) 20F (96%)

26. Do you think Presidcent bBll Clinton is a religious person?
Yes 3M (27%) 3F (14%)
No 5M (24%) 15F (72%)
NR 3M (27%) 3F (14%)
27. What most embarrasses you about the religion you were brought up in?
FEMALES: "The fact that many of the members of my chirch & religion are unaccepting, set in their ways, prejudiced, and close minded." "Nothing really embarrasses me about being Catholic." "I'm from Lancaster County, PA, a very Amish + Mennonite area. Most people don't understand the Amish and ridicule them. I joined an outreach group called Young Life, and was forcibly 'converted' in front of a large group of my friends. It was the last time I attended a meeting." "They are too frivolous with their money. They talk about being good, holy and humble and then spend over one million dollars on a new organ that they didn't even need in the first place instead of helping the poor or less fortunate." "Jewish people have a stereotype of being cheap!" "I never felt embarassed about my religion." "People tell me all the catholic church cares about is money." "It is a form of structure that helps children grow up in todays society. It gives you something to believe in." "I am embarrassed for people such as judges who show up in a courtroom with a cross on their neck, yet will 'judge' a man and sentence him to death." "They are only out for money sometimes." "When I was a child, I hated the part during service when you have to shake hands with other people. Touching someone else's hand is something awkward for me, and it was disturbing to touch the hand of a total stranger." "It embarrassses me when people use my religion to say that what one person or group is doing is morally wrong." "'God-fearing' - fear shouldn't be part of religion." "I am not embarrasssed about my religion, however there are things I do not agree with.""The ignorance of those brought up in the same religion who are not open to any new or other religious ideas." "Believing in one god, the creator of all." "Nothing really embarrasses me about it." "Because I don't have a set religion, I was never embarrassed, however I do think that I was closed off to learning about the practicing religions around me." "The media taking advantage of a small percent of fundamentalist extremists and distorting the positive side." "The most embarrassing thing in religion is a factor that I believe really had no place in the initial founding of Hinduism. The caste system is a political practice not a religious one."
MALES: "Nothing, basically." "The rules one has to follow." "Its near denial of sexuality." "The fact that the catholic church, much like every other institution in the world, is incredibly corrupt." "Sexist, rules, etc." "Nothing (or maybe Abortion)" "Catholicism instills the fear and wrath of G-D into you, however they should teach more about the teachings of G-D and his love." "I feel that no one specific instance embarrasses me but the rigid guidelines and extremists are most embarrassing. I prefer an open mind." "Muslims are usually seen as the terrorist in eyes of every non-Muslim. That's why when people ask my religion, I refuse to answer them because they will think I am a terrorist." "The stereotype of being cheap. How the people are always outsiders from every other religion."

COMPARE YOUR CLASS TO PREVIOUS CLASSES ...
Class Survey on Religious Attitudes (Fall 98)
The following survey was given in class on Sept. 1, 1998 and is tabulated according to sex. There were 11 male (M) responses and 27 female (F) responses. This is not a statistically valid sampling, but is meant to serve as a catalyst to class discussion. See if you can find any inconsistencies or surprises. [ Note that percentages are rounded off to the nearest whole number. NR stands for no response.]

1. What religion were you brought up in (even if you no longer follow it)?
Catholic 6M (54%) 15F (56%)
Protestant 2M (18%) 1F (4%)
Greek Orthodox 1F (4%)
Jewish 2M (18%) 9F (33%)
Muslim 1M (9%)
Buddhist 1M (9%)
None 1F (4%)

2. What other religions have you tried or considered joining?
Buddhist 1F (4%)
Catholic 1F (4%)
Coptic Orthodox 1F (4%)
Pagan/Witchcraft 2F (7%)
Pentecostal 1F (4%)
Protestant 1F (4%)
Tao 1M (9%) 1F (4%)
NONE 10M (91%) 19 (70%)

3. Do you think there is only one true religion?
Yes 3M (27%) 1F (4%)
No 7M (63%) 26F (96%)
NR 1M (9%)

4. Do you define yourself now as a "religious" person?
Yes 7M (3%) 5F (19%)
No 4M (36%) 22F (81%)

5. Do you define yourself now as a "spiritual" person?
Yes 9M (81%) 15F (56%)
No 2M (18%) 12F (44%)

6. Do you regularly attend religious services?
Yes 4M (36%) 3F (11%)
No 7M (63%) 24F (89%)

7. Do you think a person can be religious without attending formal religious services?
Yes 9M (81%) 26F (96%)
No 2M (18%) 1F (4%)

8. Can a person be religious and not believe in a supreme god?
Yes 8M (72%) 21F (78%)
No 2M (18%) 5F (19%)
NR 1M (9%) 1F (4%)

9. Do you believe in God?
Yes 11M (100%) 20 (74%)
No 2F (7%)
Polytheism 1F (4%)
NR 4F (15%) ("unsure" included here)

10. Do you believe in such things as "spirits" or "ghosts" of the dead?
Yes 8M (72%) 20F (74%)
No 3M (27%) 4F (15%)
NR 3F (11%) ("unsure" included here)

11. Do you believe in "angels"?
Yes 10M (91%) 20F (74%)
No 1M (9%) 6F (22%)
NR 1F (4%)

12. Do you think there is some kind of physical "afterlife"?
Yes 10M (91%) 18F (67%)
No 1M (9%) 5F (19%)
NR 4F (15%) ("unsure" included here)

13. Do you believe that people who are evil will end up in a literal hell and suffer eternal fire?
Yes 8M (72%) 9F (33%)
No 3M (27%) 14F (52%)
NR 4F (15%) ("unsure" included here)

14. Do you think magic and supersitition have a place in religion?
Yes 3M (27%) 13F (48%)
No 8M (72%) 14F (52%)

15. Do you think the universe was created by God?
Yes 9M (81%) 14F (52%)
No 2M (18%) 8F (30%)
NR 5F (19%)

16. Do you think the first man and woman were literally created by God rather than by a natural process of evolution?
Yes 5M (45%) 12F (44%)
No 6M (54%) 12F (44%)
NR 3F (11%) ("unsure" included here)

17. Do you think that religion generally reduces or increases war and violence between peoples?
Reduces violence 2M (18%)
Increases violence 6M (54%) 17F (63%)
No real effect either way 1M (9%) 6F (22%)
NR 2M (18%) 4F (15%) (includes those who put a and b)

18. Do you think your religion adequately addresses your sexual desires and needs?
Yes 3M (27%) 6F (22%)
No 7M (63%) 20F (74%): NR 1F (4%) ("unsure" included here)

19. Do you think sex outside of marriage is morally wrong?
Yes 2M (18%) 7F (26%)
No 7M (63%) 20F (74%)
NR 2M (18%)
20. Are there some kinds of sex acts (between consenting adults) that should not be performed because of religious reasons?
Yes 1M (9%) 4F (15%)
No 8M (72%) 23F (85%)
NR 2M (18%)

21. Is homosexuality morally wrong due to religious reasons?
Yes 6F (54%) 3F (11%)
No 3M (27%) 24F (89%)
NR 2M (18%)

22. Should women be allowed to be religious leaders (e.g., priests, rabbis, imams, etc.)?
Yes 6M (54%) 26F (96%)
No 4M (36%)
NR 1M (9%) 1F (4%)
23. Would you prefer to marry someone with the same religious background?
Yes 7M (63%) 19F (70%)
No 3M (27%) 6F (22%)
NR 1M (9%) 2F (7%)
24. Do you intend to raise your children according to your own religious background?
Yes 7M (63%) 21F (78%): No 3M (27%) 4F (15%)
NR 1M (9%) 2F (7%)

25. Do you think there will be a time in the future when there is no need for religion?
Yes 1M (9%) 6F (22%)
No 9M (81%) 20F (74%)
NR 1M (9%) 1F (4%)

26. Do you think President Bill Clinton is a religious person?
Yes 3M (37%) 7F (26%)
No 7M (63%) 15F (56%)
NR 1M (9%) 5F (19%) ("unsure" included here)
27. What most embarrasses you about the religion you were brought up in?
MALES: "The fact that it is perceived by many as oppressive + antiquated, when I don't believe that at all." "The whole idea of keeping kosher." "Nothing." "The overpowering thought that Catholics are bettter than or above other people because of their beliefs." "Magic + power." "Their stand on pre-marital sex." "The fact that sex outside of marriage is considered wrong, and that it appears that men and women do not have equal roles in the church." "The subjugation of women."


FEMALES: "I do not like the fact that the Catholic church excludes people that have been divorced from the church." "The story of Adam + Eve and the concept of Heaven + Hell." "I don't like to be identified as a 'nice Jewish Girl.'" "People stereotype us -- rich -- money hungry -- etc." "It's a money-making industry." "I think Catholicism is extremely bigoted and raises children to be prejudiced towards others (i.e. -- catechism classes when you are young.) I also feel it is sexist and misogynistic." "I just don't like the really religious Jews that have pgis (Orthodox Jews)." "That the Catholic religion sees homosexuality as a sin and that they are the only right religion." "Many priests were considered child molesters." "Some of its beliefs lead to prejudice and violence against innocent people (i.e. homosexuals, etc). It's not the Church's preaching but people's misinterpretation it the teachings." "Hipocracy, i.e. We should love everyone + accept them but homosexuals are evil." "Does it really relate to what the bible says or what man has created?" "It does not make sense to me. I was brought up in a religion that I don't completely agree with + that's embarassing." ""I really have nothing to be embrassed about." "Nothing." ""Nothing embarrasses me about my religion. I'm proud of what I follow." "nothing" "Not really embarrasses me but Judaism has different levels of supremacy. I am the lowest or least religious (reform). Thus the orthodox or hasidic do have a funny way of life and public presentation." "I'm not embarrassed by it. I just don't agree with a lot of it." "Nothing embarrasses me!" "I have no kind of embarrassment about being Jewish, but sometimes I am afraid of being the target of Anti-Semetic jokes, remarks or acts." "Nothing about the religion specifically but growing up in an Italian neighborhood I felt like a minority, also religious stereotypes were embarassing." "I am proud, not embarassed of my religion."

Class Survey on Religious Attitudes
Spring 98


The following survey summarizes the general attitudes of the students in this class on the subject of religion. The results are given according to sex (M=male, F=female). I include the raw number score and percentage within the sex category. Given the far larger number of females, please note that this is not a viable sample but only for discussion purposes. Since I round off the figures, they might not add up to 100 in each category. Respondents: 8 males 30 females

1. What religion were you brought up in (even if you no longer follow it)?
Catholic 7M (88%) 17.5F (58%)
Protestant 3.5F (11%)
Jewish 1M (12%) 4F (13%)
Greek Orthodox 3F (10%)
Unitarian Universalist 1F (3%)
None 1F (3%)

2. What other religions have you tried or considered joining?
None 8M (100%) 26F (86%)
Eastern Orthodox 1F (3%)
Buddhist 1F (3%)
Catholic 1F (3%)
Hindu 1F (3%)

3. Do you think there is only one true religion?
Yes 1M (13%) 3F (10%)
No 7M (88%) 27F (90%)

4. Do you define yourself now as a "religious" person?
Yes 7M (88%) 10F (33%)
No 1M (13%) 20F (66%)

5. Do you define yourself now as a "spiritual" person?
Yes 6M (75%) 15F (50%)
No 2M (25%) 15F (50%)

6. Do you regularly attend religious services?
Yes 3M (38%) 6F (20%)
No 5M (62%) 24F (80%)

7. Do you think a person can be religious without attending formal religious services?
Yes 6M (75%) 29F (96%)
No 2M (25%) 1F (3%)

8. Can a person be religious and not believe in a supreme god?
Yes 6M (75%) 25F (83%)
No 2M (25%) 5F 16%)

9. Do you believe in God?
Yes 7M (88%) 27F (90%)
No 1M (13%) 3F (10%)

10. Do you believe in such things as "spirits" or "ghosts" of the dead?
Yes 4M (50%) 22F (73%)
No 4M (50%) 8F (26%)

11. Do you believe in "angels"?
Yes 4M (50%) 22 F (73%)
No 4M (50%) 8F (26%)

12. Do you think there is some kind of "afterlife"?
Yes 7M (88%) 24F (80%)
No 1M (13%) 5F (16%)

13. Do you believe that people who are evil will end up in a literal hell and suffer eternal fire?
Yes 3M (38%) 4F (13%)
No 5M (62%) 26F (86%)

14. Are witchcraft and sorcery "evil" things that should be eliminated in any society?
Yes 1M (13%) 9F (30%)
No 7M (88%) 21F (70%)

15. Do you think the universe was created by God?
Yes 4M (50%) 21F (70%)
No 4M (50%) 9F (30%)

16. Do you think the first man and woman were literally created by God rather than by a natural process of evolution?
Yes 2M (25%) 10F (33%)
No 6M (75%) 19F (63%)

17. Do you think that religion generally reduces or increases war and violence between peoples?
A. Reduces chance of war 3F (10%)
B. Increases chance of war 6M (75%) 22F (73%)
C. No real effect either way 2M (25%) 5F (16%)

18. Do you think your religion adequately addresses your sexual desires and needs?
Yes 2M (25%) 5F (16%)
No 6M (75%) 25F (83%)

19. Do you think sex outside of marriage is morally wrong?
Yes 2M (25%) 2F (7%)
No 6M (75%) 28F (93%)

20. Are there some kinds of sex acts (between consenting adults) that should not be performed because of religious reasons?
Yes 1M (13%) 4F (13%)
No 7M (88%) 26F (86%)

21. Is homosexuality morally wrong due to religious reasons?
Yes 4M (50%) 6F (20%)
No 4M (50%) 23F (76%)

22. Should women be allowed to be religious leaders (e.g., priests, rabbis, imams, etc.)?
Yes 7M (88%) 27F (90%)
No 1M (13%) 3F (10%)

23. Would you prefer to marry someone with the same religious background?
Yes 8M (100%) 24F (80%)
No 6F (20%)

24. Do you intend to raise your children according to your own religious background?
Yes 7M (88%) 23F (76%)
No 1M (13%) 7F (23%)

25. Do you think there will be a time in the future of humankind when there is no need for religion?
Yes 2M (25%) 1F (3%)
No 6M (75%) 28F (93%)

26. What most embarrasses you about the religion you were brought up in? (These are unedited...)

FEMALES: "There really isn't one. Lutherans are very accepting, having women pastors, etc. They don't throw their opinions down your throat. But I am still not religious." "Catholicism's hypocracy: they preach 'love thy neighbor,' but it only applies towards heterosexuals, other catholics, women who have not had abortions, etc." "Priests are high and mighty on the pulpit, molesting and selling drugs once removed. It is a religion of hipocracy." "From what I know about my religion (protestant- Episcopal) there is nothing that embarasses me." "In the Baptist Church there is the stereotype that everyone is fainting, catching spirits -- it's not as crazy as seen in the movies." "Actually, I am not embarrassed about my religion. Some times, many times it is misinterpreted by others, but that is by no fault of my religion." "Having to wear ashes on my head on Ash Wednesday." "The ideas that the Catholic Church has about homosexuality being a sin, and abortion being a sin. If one religion disallows people to be who they are without being 'sinners' it doesn't practice the tenet of 'love thy neighbor.'" "The fact that women are looked down upon, ex. -- they sit behind a curtain in services." "How the religion contradicts itself, the bible says one thing and religious people preach another. And that females aren't allowed to be religious leaders." "That premarital sex is wrong." "That priests are unable to marry women." "Catholic doctrine has not progressed with time -- it does [not] adequately address daily life today. ie. -- no birth control allowed -- sacraments being made earlier and earlier by children who have no idea of their relevance." "That women cannot become priests/religious leaders." "I am not embarrassed about the religion I am brought up in." "There is nothing I can think of that embarrasses me. I have complete faith and pride in my religion." "I do want to marry someone of my religious background, but my parents of Greek Orthodox faith pressure their children into doing so." "The issue of premarital sex and the way the church would make sex 'evil' or 'dirty' if performed before marriage still effects me today." "Hypocracy between what people say they believe or stand for and what they really do." "Views of sex and contraception." "The hipocracy -- The Catholic Church being so rich owning so much property still till this day (highest owners of property in the city) when so many poor people still around w/out homes -- They should be doing more for others." "There is nothing that really embarrasses me about my religion."

MALES: "The inappropriate stereotypes attached to the people just because they practice their religion." "Singing at my confirmation ceremony." "Nothing." "None, never went to or spoke about my parents religion." "Catholicism is a hypocritical religion that promots overpopulation and alcoholism." "The way they are about money. Instead of being religious. It has become about running a business." "Confession." "It is morally round to attend service regularly."