I've quoted and posted from this survey in the past, as have others, but I noticed some posters were unfamiliar with this. So I wanted to post a link, but also post some of findings related to Jehovah's Witnesses. For this survey, over 35,000 Americans were interviewed. Here's a link if you wish to read the report in its entirety. Following, I'll post some of things we might find interesting here on JWN. The way I posted the data points is taking into considertion other religous affilations such as Catholics, Evangelical Churches, Mainline Churches, Historically Black Churches, Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish, and Mormon faiths. I didn't mention the statistic showing 2/3 of born-ins leave JWs as thats common knowledge. When I posted these statistics, I wasn't looking to paint JWs in a negative or positive light. This is strictly for information purposes. I found much of it interesting, and understandable.
http://religions.pewforum.org/pdf/report-religious-landscape-study-full.pdf
1. When asked whether they were disatisfied or satisfied with the direction of this country, out of all other religions JWs ranked the highest in disatisfaction at 79%, and the lowest of satisfaction at 10%.
2. When asked whether they were disatisfied or satisfied with their personal lives, 16% were disatisfied with their personal lives, second only to those belonging to Historically Black Churches at 18%.
3. When asked whether they were disatisfied or satisfied with their personal safety considering crime and terrorism, JW ranked the highest amongst disatisfied. JWs were the least satisfied at 18%.
4. When asked whether homosexuality should be accepted or discouraged by society, JWs ranked the highest amongst those who feel it should be discouraged at 76%. The next highest holding that view were Evangelical Churches. JWs ranked the lowest in accepting homosexuality at 12%. Evangelical Churches were the second most accepting at 26%.
5. When asked whether military strength or diplomacy would be best to ensure peace, JWs ranked the lowest supporting military strength at 9%. 55% stated diplomacy was the best way which was second only to Evangelical Churches. JWs ranked the highest at refusing to answer this question at 14%. They also ranked the highest stating that neither method would ensure peace, at 21%.
6. When asked whether Abortion should be legal in all or most cases, JWs ranked the lowest at 5% and 11% respectively. JWs ranked the highest at 52% holding the position that it should be illegal in all cases. The second highest was Evangelical Churches at 25%.
7. When asked what influences their thinking on public affairs and goverment, JWs ranked the highest stating religion influences them at 60%. The second highest were Evangelical Churches at 28%. JWs ranked the lowest when stating education or media influenced them at 3% and 10% respectively.
8. When asked if religion should be kept out of political matters, JWs ranked the highest at 82%, with Hindus being the second highest at 69%. Catholics and Mormons were both listed at 48%. JWs are the lowest group to support religious involvement in politics at 12% with Jewish coming in at second with 33%.
9. When asked whether entertainment and Hollywood threatens their values, amongst those stating yes, JWs ranked second at 32%, second only to Mormons at 34%.
10. When asked whether they completely agree with clear and absolute standards for right and wrong, JWs completely agreed the most at 55% with Evangelicals second at 51%.
11. When asked whether Evolution was the best explanation for the origins of life, JWs agreed the lowest at 3%, with Mormons and Evangelical Churches coming in second at 6% and 7% respectively. JWs ranked the highest in disagreeing with evolution at 78%. Evangelical Churches were second at 54%.
12. When it comes to guidance in right vs. wrong, JWs ranked the highest looking to religion for guidance at 73% followed by Mormons at 58%. JWs ranked the lowest when citing philosophy at 3%, the lowest when citing practical experience and common sense at 19%, and the lowest citing scientific information at 1%.
13. JWs ranked the highest amongst those attending religous services more than once a week at 71%, the next highest being Evangelical Churches and Historically Black Churches at 30%. This data does not include weddings and funerals. Amongst those who attend religious services only once or twice a month, JWs ranked the lowest at 3%. The next lowest being Muslims at 8%.
14. JWs ranked the highest when stating religion takes a very important role in their life at 86% with Historically Black Churches coming in 2nd at 85%, and Mormons 3rd at 83%.
15. JWs ranked the highest when stating they do community work through their church at least once a week at 53%. The next highest being Mormons at 21%.
16. JWs ranked the highest when stating they've attended social gatherings once a week at their church at 31%, with Historically Black Churches coming in at 26%.
17. JWs ranked the highest amongst other faiths in being absolutely certain in a God at 93%, ahead of Mormons, Historically Black Churches, and Evangelical Churches all at 90%.
18. JWs and Jews ranked the highest amongst those not believing in life after death, both at 45%. The next highest being Buddhists at 26%.
19. JWs ranked the lowest amongst faiths that believe in a hell where people are eternally punished at 9%, with Jews slightly higher at 22%. Evangelical Churches rank at 82%.
20. JWs are third behind Historically Black Churches and Muslims is the word of God taken literally word for word. JWs at 48%, HBC at 62%, and Muslims at 50%.
21. JWs are the lowest when stating miracles happen today as in ancient times at 15%. Hindus follow at 24% not believing in miracles.
22. JWs rank the highest when believing in Angels and Demons being active in the world today at 78%, followed by Evangelical Churches at 61%.
23. JWs are second to Buddhists when stating they completely agree religion causes more problems than it solves.
24. JWs ranked the highest at 80% when stating their religion is the true religioiun leading to eternal life with Mormons following second at 57%, Evangelical Churches at 36%, and Muslims at 33% .
25. JWs ranked the highest when affirming there is only one true way to interpret the teachings of their religion at 77% with Mormons following at 54%.
26. JWs ranked the lowest when asked if their relgion should adjust traditional beliefs and practices in light of changing circumstances at 21% with Mormons following at 23%.
27. JWs pray more often throughout the week than other faiths at 82% followed by Mormons at 64%.
28. JWs read scriptures outside of religious services more than other faiths at 83% followed by Mormons at 76%.
29. JWs meditate more than other faiths at 72% followed by Buddhists at 61%.
30. JWs ranked the highest when stating they've recieved a definate answer to their prayer request at 37% followed by Historically Black Churches at 36%, and Mormons at 34%.
31. JWs ranked the lowest in experiencing a divine healing at 8% with Jews being the second lowest at 20%.
32. JWs ranked the highest when agreeing that there is a conflict with being religiously devout and living in modern society at 59%, with Evangelical Churches following at 49%.
33. JWs ranked second tied with Historically Black Churches at 19% amongst those not completing high school. Muslims ranked first at 21% JWs ranked highest amongst those completing a trade school at 51% followed by Historically Black Churches and Evangelical Churches both at 40%.
34. JWs ranked last amongst educated college graduates and post graduates at 6% and 3% respectively. Historically Black Churches are at 11% and 5% respectively.
35. JWs ranked the second highest amongst faiths having families making less than $30,000/year at 42% with Historically Black Churches at 47%.
36. JWs ranked the highest amongst faiths whos members are not registered to vote with 74%, followed by Muslims at 22%.
37. When refusing to define whether their views tend to be conservative, moderate, or liberal, JWs refused to answer the question the most at 50%. The next highest being Muslims at 19%.