survey from the Gallup polling organization suggests that while Americans remain "intensely religious," they increasingly embrace nontraditional approaches to organized faith. In addition, a "Key Indicators" poll from Gallup claims that 52% of voters surveyed "would be more likely to vote for a candidate for president who has talked about his or her personal relationship with Jesus Christ during debates and news interviews."

   The latter finding, if true, is relevant in light of the increased religion-oriented rhetoric which has become part of the year 2000 electoral campaign. Major candidates in both parties have gone on record extolling their "born again" roots (as in the case of Democrat and Vice President Al Gore), and GOP front-runner George W. Bush who recently opined that he considers Jesus Christ to be the major philosophical thinker in shaping his life.

   Among the finding in the latest Gallup survey studying religious opinions:

   ¶    Six out of 10 American say that religion is "very important in their life," with another three out of 10 saying that it is "fairly important." These figures appear to confirm results of an earlier study which was conducted by Gallup International and the London-based Taylor Nelson Sofres marketing firm that covered 60 countries. Worldwide, 87% said that they considered themselves to be part of some religion, with 63% of Americans saying that "God was very important" in their lives.

   ¶    Two-thirds of Americans claim to be members of a church or some other religious institution. Gallup says that "only nine percent of the public" respond with "none" when asked to identify a religious affiliation or preference.

   ¶    Eight percent of the public say that they never attend religious services, while 28% report that they "seldom" go. Gallup concludes, "about two-thirds of the population claim to attend services at least once a month or more often ... Thirty-six percent say they attend once a week."

    Curiously, when asked if they attended church or synagogue "in the last seven days," 45% respond in the affirmative.

   ¶    "Almost nine out of 10 Americans (86%) say that they believe in God, even when given the choice of saying that they 'don't believe in God, but believe in a universal spirit or higher power' (chosen by only eight percent)." Gallup adds: "In fact, only five percent of the population choose neither of these choices and thus claim a more straightforward atheist position..."

   ¶    The Gallup findings tend to confirm a trend which sociologists and others have observed for some time -- Americans are abandoning institutional religion in favor of "cafeteria style" faith, and replacing denominational dogma with a vague "spirituality."

    "The results of the survey .. suggest that despite their outward affiliation with a religion and frequent church attendance, less than half of Americans live their daily lives strictly by the code or teachings of their religious faith," notes Gallup. About 48% say that they place emphasis on "God and religious teachings" when deciding a course of action. Forty-five percent, though, say that they give priority to their "own views and the views of others." In addition, "about half of Americans say that religions have unnecessary rules and responsibilities..." Catholics are more likely to express this sentiment (59%) than their Protestant counterparts (46%).

    The latest Gallup numbers conform to other finds which pollsters have claimed over the years, namely that about 40% of Americans are regular church attendees, and that atheists account for approximately 10% of the population. The 40% figure for attendance at a house of worship on a "regular" basis, though, has been criticized, especially with major denominations reporting stagnant or even declining membership. Those loses seem to be the gains of the more energized fundamentalist, evangelical and Pentecostal sects. Some studies suggest that respondents are apt to exaggerate their claimed level of church attendance, possibly out of fear of embarrassment. Indeed, in May, 1998, we discussed findings by sociologist Stanley Presser and researcher Linda Sinson that put the figure closer to 26% rather than the claimed 40%.

    With questionable studies claiming to link religious belief and everything from mysterious medical cures to better health, athletic performance and (if the President of the United States is to be believed...) resistance to drug abuse, it is surprising to note the latest finding from another religious pollster, the Barna Research Group. We have tasked Barna for some of its dubious claims in the past, such as statistics indicating a huge market of regular listeners to Christian radio stations.

    The group's findings for December 21, 1999 though examine divorce and religiosity, and yield some interesting results. To wit...

"Born again Christians continue to have a higher likelihood of getting divorced than do non-Chrsitians..." and "Atheists are less likely to get divorced than are born again Christians."

    The Barna survey interviewed nearly 4000 adults, and indicated that 11% of the adult population is currently divorced, and 25% of adults have had at least one divorce during their life time. Divorce rates for born again Christians register at 27%, which is three percent over the range of adults who are not born again.

    "Nationally, 29% of all Baptist adults have been divorced," notes Barna. Slightly higher,at 34% are those in "non-denominational," independent Protestant churches.

    "Among non-Christians groups the levels vary ... Jews, for instance, are among those most likely to divorce (30%) have, while atheists and agnostics are below the norm (21%). Mormons, renowned for their emphasis upon strong families, are no different from the national average (24%)."

    In addition, the Baby Boomers -- that generation often criticized for sexual indulgence, moral relativism and other pernicious behaviors -- has a lower rate of divorce (34%) than the preceding generation (described as "Builders"), who hover at 37%.

    Other findings from Barna:

   ¶    "Surprisingly, the Christian denomination whose adherents have the highest likelihood of getting divorced are Baptists." Twenty-nine percent of the Baptists have been to the divorce court, although non-denominational Christians (small sects, independents) show an even higher rate of 34%. Catholics and Lutherans have the lowest percentage of divorces, 21%. The mainline Protestants "experience divorce on par with the national average (25%)," notes Barna. Interestingly, Mormons -- "renowned for their emphasis upon strong families"-- come in close to that average, at 24%.

   ¶    "Among the characteristics that do not seem to be related to divorce are educational achievement, household income, and political ideology."

    Barna does not attempt to explain why atheists have a much lower divorce rate than our religious counterparts. The research, according to the Barna report, "also raises questions regarding the effectiveness of how churches minister to families" and "challenges the idea that churches provide truly practical and life-changing support for marriage."

    Equally curious is a study released by Barna on December 6, 1999 titled "America's Congregations: More Money but Fewer People." When compared to the Gallup poll claims of church attendance, it suggests a conflicting set of figures, and a possible confirmation of "empty pew syndrome" which many say has plaguing America's churches for years.

   Barna found that "median adult attendance at church services in 1999 was 90 people," slightly below last year's average of 95. It is also 10% under the 1997 average of 100 people, and 12% lower than the 1992 level of 102 people.

    The survey's main focus was on attendance versus income, and Barna found that the average operating budget of the typical church increased 5% over the past year to $110,000 per church. The crucial finding, though, is suggested in the "Data in Context" section of the Barna report. It states, "Since 1992 Protestant churches have lost 10% in average weekly attendance. During the same period, America's population has increased by almost 9%... The bottom line ... is that we are attracting fewer people than we used to..."

    With such a trend, one conclusion may be that the 40% figure claimed for church attendance -- a number which has remained relatively constant over the years -- is possibly an artifact of the interviewing process, or some other factor, than a true reflection of how many Americans are heading for their neighborhood house of worship.

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