Conference taveng::bagels

998.0. "Current Status of Religion in America" by BROKE::FEBONIO () Wed Nov 14 1990 20:21

    I started this note in grim::religion, but because I hope to achieve a
    true random sampling I am adding it to all the religion note files.
    Your participation is appreciated!
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    Hello All,
    
    I'm new to this conference, but having briefly viewed the topics, am
    happy that my work has brought me this way.  It's obvious that there is
    a lot to be learned in this topic as well as the other religion notes.
    
    Anyway, on to my business.  I'm a student at Rivier College, and am
    taking a professional speaking course, which requires me to give a
    half hour briefing on any topic of my choosing.
    
    I have chosen religion because I am at time in my life in which
    religion has become very important to me.  My ultimate goal is to
    become better acquainted with all religions.
    
    One topic that particularly interesting to me is the current decline in
    popularity of traditional religions, and the increase of new religions
    and beliefs.  This is the basis of my briefing.
    
    I've put a poll in reply one based on people's current religious
    beliefs, and I would certainly appreciate your answers.  A few things
    to remember while filling it out are:  
    
    - submission:  you can e-mail it to me, reply to this note, mail it
      interoffice, or send it to my home.  My mailstop is NUO1-1/D05.  If,
      for confidential reasons you would like to mail it to my home, please
      call me at dtn 264-6214 and I will give you an address.
    
    - COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL - because I want everyone to feel free to
      answer this poll honestly and without feeling intimidatd no names
      will be attached to any of the information that I present in my class
      or elsewhere.  This is also why, if you have any doubts about 
      confidentiality, you can mail your response hard copy.
    
    - please keep all answers as brief and pointed as possible.  Try not to
      exceed 5 sentences per answer.  
    
    - I will be saving all information gathered for further writing
      projects.  All information will always remain annonymous.
    
    - I am hoping to poll over 100 people, so if you know of anyone who
      would be interested in taking this poll, please forward a copy to
      them.
    
    - If you are interested in recieving a copy of the overall results, 
      please send mail, and I will forward you a copy. 
     
    - If there is enough interest, I will post the results here.
    
    - No-one will be questioned on their answers.  No-one will be asked to
      prove or disprove any of their statements.
    
    - No conclusions will be drawn against any person participating in this
      poll.  All persons' religious ideas are strictly their own, and it is
      not this polls intent to change any person's opinions.
    
    - It is not this polls mission to make judgements about individual
      responses, but rather to make an overall statement on the current
      religious situation in the United States.
    
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    I thank you all for your participation.  If you have any questions,
    please feel free to send me e-mail.
    
    Thank you,
    Shirley 

		      Religion in America Today
_______________________________________________________________________________


1) What is your religion (include atheism)?


2) Do you believe in a supreme being?


3) Who is that being?


4) What religion were you raised with?



5) Have you changed religions (this question includes changing to atheism)?



6) If yes to question 5, what prompted you to change religion or become an
   atheist?






7) What is the basic foundation of your current religion, i.e. rules and 
   regulations?
   





8) Would you consider your religious upbring to have been a help or a 
   hindrance to your self worth and self growth?




9) Do you go to a place of worship on a regular basis?  How often?
   If not, when did you stop going, and why?



10) Do you pray at home?  How often?


11) Do you believe in an afterlife?



12) What, in detail, does your belief encompass, i.e., reincarnation, 
    heaven/hell, waiting for judgement day, no afterlife?



13) Do you believe in heaven and hell?



14) Do you believe in a final judgement, and if so what will you be judged on? 




15) Have you ever had a spiritual encounter, i.e, something that 
    restored/renewed your faith?  What was that encounter?





16) Have you ever had an encounter that destroyed your faith?
    What was that encounter?





17) If you are married, did you marry someone of the same or different 
    faith?



18) If you married someone of a different faith, was this an emotional issue 
    for you?



19) What faith, if any, are you teaching your children? 



20) What do you think the largest asset is that religious institutions have 
    to offer their followers?




21) What do you think is the largest drawback presented by religious 
    institutions upon their followers?



22) Does religion play a large roll in your friend's lifestyles?




23) What percent of your friends live a religious life, attending a place
    of worship at least once a month? 




24) Do your friends religious beliefs have any bearing on your friendship?
    
    
    
    
    
    25) What is your opinion on the present lifestyle of the clergy?
    
    
    
    
    
    26) Should the clergy be allowed to marry?
    
    
    
    
    
    
    27) Should women be allowed into the clergy?
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    28) Comments:
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    29) Comments about this poll: 

    So, it's been a year already! What were the results?
    
    		-John Bishop