Major Study Has Much To Say About Mormons

[blooit]

Some very interesting findings that turn quite a few "mormon stereotypes" on their head.  They are very active, stay very devoted to their faith, friendly, very giving, and very accepting of those of other faiths.

 

Major New Study of Religion Has Much to Say About Mormons

 

 

"A new and important study of religion in America has, among other things, a good deal to say about members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Recently published under the title American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us , the sociological study was conducted by scholars Robert D. Putnam and David E. Campbell and yields valuable insight to the nature and social effects of American religion. Drawing from in-depth new surveys, the study’s authors affirm that in many respects, religion in America exerts a healthy influence upon American society — one that typically promotes generosity, trust, neighborliness, and civic engagement. And while Mormons are a relatively small component of American society, the study data reveals that they play a conspicuous part in American religious life."

 

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/major-new-study-of-religion-has-much-to-say-about-mormons

[Calm]

Look at the date of the article....

[EllenMaksoud]

Look at the date of the article....

Copyright © 2013 American Grace LLC. All rights reserved.

[Calm]

The blog appears to have been written in 2010

Addon: there was a follow up survey in 2011 with the paperback edition including those. The blog's date may be a glitch or meant for the original with the link going to a page that has been updated with the new results.

Interesting.

Addon and on: not a glitch, but an updated link as the blog refers to the original published in 2010, see bottom of blog.

[Calm]

http://americangrace.org/home/paperback/

"There is a growing “God gap” in American politics between the highly devout, who have overwhelmingly aligned themselves with the Republican Party, and the less religious, who generally support the Democrats. Contrary to the suspicions of many secular Americans, however, there is relatively little explicit politicking in American congregations; likewise, political mobilization at church is rare. And to the extent that there is political activity driven from the pulpit, it is more common in liberal congregations than in conservative ones."

[Calm]

"Religious Americans are better neighbors than secular Americans. They volunteer at much higher rates for both religious and secular causes, give more money to religious and secular charities, and are roughly twice as engaged in their communities as comparable secular Americans. And they do more everyday good deeds: they’re more likely to donate blood, help someone find a job, give money to a homeless person, or even let a stranger cut in front of them. The reason for this is not their theology, but the friendships they make through their congregations. Having religious friends is more important than simply having friends and being religious yourself. In other words, religious networks are “supercharged” in their effect on neighborliness."

Interesting implications for Utah neighbourhoods given that one's friends in their congregation are more typical their neighbours as well then in some other faiths (Catholics are the only others I know that have geographical boundaries rather than just choosing whatever congregation one wants to attend).

[Calm]

"Religious Americans, especially evangelicals, are more likely to have friends of a lower social class than are secular Americans. On the other hand, religious Americans are also less likely than their secular counterparts to favor public policies to address poverty and inequality."

Seeing as how religious Americans are more likely to give charity and directly participate in such programs, it is not a contradiction in attitudes but rather a dislike of government IMO.

"However, religious Americans in the South from rural areas and small towns have significantly less progressive racial attitudes."

I wonder how they compare to their more secular neighbours, iow if religion is not a predictor, it may not ave any impact at all, it may be geography that is the much greater influence.

"People who have a strong sense of religious identity also tend have a strong ethnic identity"

I wonder if the LDS perception that Utah culture dominates is influenced by whatever causes this correlation.

[Nofear]

• Mormons like everyone else, while most everyone else dislikes Mormons. Jews are the exception, as they give Mormons a net positive rating. (This suggests that there is a perceived commonality, given that they are both minority religions.)

 

This is what I remember from a survey from years back (probably the source is the very same survey). But that data would all be before the supposed "Mormon Moment".

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

Some very interesting findings that turn quite a few "mormon stereotypes" on their head.  They are very active, stay very devoted to their faith, friendly, very giving, and very accepting of those of other faiths.

 

Major New Study of Religion Has Much to Say About Mormons

 

 

"A new and important study of religion in America has, among other things, a good deal to say about members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Recently published under the title American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us , the sociological study was conducted by scholars Robert D. Putnam and David E. Campbell and yields valuable insight to the nature and social effects of American religion. Drawing from in-depth new surveys, the study’s authors affirm that in many respects, religion in America exerts a healthy influence upon American society — one that typically promotes generosity, trust, neighborliness, and civic engagement. And while Mormons are a relatively small component of American society, the study data reveals that they play a conspicuous part in American religious life."

 

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/major-new-study-of-religion-has-much-to-say-about-mormons

I like it stereotypes are silly. Also man has a need to put others in small boxes with labels and stereotypes. This what they can keep them small and manageable, this way it does not require heavy lifting. When I say men, sadly it applies to too many of mankind.

[nebula]

I'm not sure if anyone here is a South Park fan, but their Mormon episode was funny and surprisingly affectionate. A Mormon family moves into town and they're so friendly, polite, and cheerful that they charm everyone who would do them any harm. When Stan's father first hears that they're teaching his son about Joseph Smith, he's angry and decides to march over there and beat up the Mormon dad-- but ends up eating Rice Krispies treats in their living room. I've found that this is kinda true to life: people who have never personally met a Mormon seem to strongly dislike them, but everyone I know who's actually spent time with a Mormon loves them.