2009-11-15-皮尤-Faith-Based_Programs_Still_Popular,_Less_Visible_20页_316kb

报告摘要

Summary of the 2009 Annual Religion and Public Life Survey

Core Content

The 2009 Annual Religion and Public Life Survey conducted by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press and the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life reveals ongoing public concerns about the intersection of religion and government funding for social services. Despite these concerns, faith-based programs remain popular, with significant support across various demographic groups.

Main Findings

Public Support for Faith-Based Programs

69% of Americans support allowing churches and other houses of worship to apply for government funding to provide social services.
25% oppose this policy.
Republicans are less supportive now than in 2001 (66% vs. 81%).
Democrats show increased support (77% vs. 70%).
Blacks and Hispanics are more supportive of faith-based programs than non-Hispanic whites.

Concerns About Church-State Separation

69% view government involvement in religious organizations as an important concern.
60% are concerned about forcing recipients to participate in religious practices.
52% are concerned about interference with the separation of church and state.
48% worry about unequal service standards.
47% are concerned about increased religious divisions.

Religious Hiring Restrictions

74% oppose allowing religious groups receiving government funds to hire only people who share their beliefs.
Republicans and white evangelicals are more likely to support such restrictions (32% and 33%, respectively).
Democrats and independents are less supportive (12% and 21%, respectively).

Preference for Religious Organizations in Social Services

37% believe religious organizations are best able to provide services to the needy.
21% prefer non-religious groups.
25% favor government agencies.
52% believe religious organizations are best at feeding the homeless.
21% choose government agencies and 21% choose non-religious groups.

Partisan Shifts

Republicans show stronger support for religious organizations providing services (56% vs. 37% in 2001).
Democrats and independents have more moderate views (28% and 32%, respectively).
White evangelical Protestants and white non-Hispanic Catholics have seen increased support for religious organizations in feeding the homeless.

Religious Groups and Funding Eligibility

Majority support for funding religious charities, Catholic churches, and other houses of worship.
Muslim mosques are opposed by 52%, up from 2001.
Groups that encourage religious conversion are opposed by 63%, with African-Americans and Hispanics showing more support (39% and 35%, respectively) than non-Hispanic whites (25%).

Economic Impact on Assistance

9% of Americans have recently turned to religious groups for help with financial needs.
7% have sought help from non-religious organizations.
Minorities and low-income individuals are more likely to rely on religious groups for assistance.

Key Information

The survey was conducted among 4,013 adults using both landline and cell phone interviews.
The sample was weighted to reflect demographic and telephone usage patterns.
The margin of error for the total sample is ±2.0 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
The survey highlights persistent concerns about the separation of church and state, while also showing continued support for faith-based initiatives in providing social services.
Partisan and demographic differences are evident in views on funding eligibility and the effectiveness of religious organizations in service provision.

Conclusion

The survey underscores the complex relationship between religion and public policy, with strong public support for faith-based programs in social service delivery, tempered by concerns about religious influence in government affairs. The data also reflects changing attitudes over time, particularly among Republicans and white evangelical Protestants, who have become more supportive of religious organizations in service provision.

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