2009-12-08-皮尤-Many_Americans_Mix_Multiple_Faiths_22页_303kb

Summary of "Eastern, New Age Beliefs Widespread" by Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life (December 2009)

Core Content

The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life conducted a survey in 2009 to explore the religious beliefs and practices of Americans, revealing that many do not fit neatly into traditional religious categories. A significant portion of the population engages in multiple religious practices, including attending services of different faiths and incorporating Eastern or New Age beliefs into their spiritual lives. The survey also highlights the prevalence of supernatural experiences and the complex relationship between religious commitment and belief in such phenomena.

Main Points

• Religious Pluralism: Many Americans attend religious services of more than one faith or denomination, even outside of travel or special events.
  • One-third (35%) attend religious services regularly or occasionally at multiple places.
  • 24% of the public attend services of different faiths, with Protestants and Catholics being the most common groups to mix.
• Frequency of Attendance:
  • 72% attend religious services at least a few times a year.
  • 38% attend weekly or more, and 34% attend monthly or yearly.
  • 27% seldom or never attend.
• Religiously Mixed Marriages:
  • People in religiously mixed marriages attend services less frequently than those in same-faith marriages.
  • 43% of those in mixed marriages seldom or never attend, compared to 21% in same-faith marriages.
  • Among those who attend services at least yearly, 44% in mixed marriages attend services of different faiths, compared to 33% in same-faith marriages.
• Belief in Eastern and New Age Practices:
  • 24% of Americans believe in reincarnation, and 23% believe in yoga as a spiritual practice.
  • 26% believe in spiritual energy in physical objects, and 25% believe in astrology.
  • 16% believe in the "evil eye" or casting of curses.
• Supernatural Experiences:
  • 29% have felt in touch with someone who has died.
  • 18% have had a ghostly experience.
  • 15% have consulted a fortuneteller or psychic.
  • These experiences have increased over time, with ghostly encounters doubling since 1996.

Key Information

• Demographic Trends:
  • Women are more likely than men to have felt in touch with the dead (33% vs. 26%) and to consult a fortuneteller (20% vs. 10%).
  • Blacks report more experiences of feeling in touch with the dead than whites or Hispanics (41% vs. 29% vs. 30%).
  • Older Americans (over 65) are less likely to believe in these practices compared to younger individuals.
  • Education level correlates with belief in supernatural experiences, with those with less education more likely to feel in touch with the dead or see ghosts.
  • Political affiliation also plays a role, with Democrats and liberals more likely to believe in these practices than Republicans and conservatives.
• Religious Groups:
  • Protestants: 39% attend multiple places, with 30% attending different faiths.
    • White evangelicals show the lowest acceptance of Eastern and New Age beliefs.
  • Catholics: 34% attend multiple places, with 18% attending non-Catholic services.
  • Unaffiliated: 30% attend services of different faiths.
• Worship Venues:
  • 60% of Americans attend services at churches or houses of worship.
  • 11% attend services at other locations, such as homes, schools, or parks.
  • Homes are the most common alternative venue, with 7% of Americans attending services there.
  • Protestant groups are more likely to attend services in homes than Catholics.

Conclusion

The survey indicates a growing trend of religious pluralism in the U.S., with many Americans blending elements of different faiths and incorporating New Age and Eastern beliefs into their spiritual lives. This trend is more pronounced among those with less religious commitment, and it is influenced by demographic, educational, and political factors. Supernatural experiences, such as contacting the dead or seeing ghosts, are also increasingly common, with notable differences across religious groups and demographics.