New Baylor Religion Survey Explores How Religious Beliefs Shape Attitudes Toward Govt Role in Economy and Faith in US Economic System

Researchers from Baylor's Sociology Department and Business School presented new data from their 2011 Religion Survey to a meeting of the Religion Newswriters Association last week . A Baylor press release highlights these findings:

The American Dream. Most Americans believe that God has a plan for them. Still, Americans who believe strongly that God has something wonderful in store for them look very different from the rest of Americans. Although they tend to have lower levels of education and income, these respondents are the most likely to believe that the United States' economic system is fair, that the government is too intrusive, that healthy people should not receive unemployment benefits and that anything is possible through hard work. And, despite believing that success is based on hard work and ability, they are the strongest believers that some are meant to be rich and some to be poor.

Liberals are idealists? Conservatives are realists? Think again. Liberals have been historically and popularly thought of as idealists - individuals who have high ideals and believe they can be realized - while conservatives are often depicted as common-sense realists. But the latest Baylor Religion Survey analysis finds liberals are less likely than conservatives to believe in an ultimate meaning to life, that it is important to have a life philosophy, that "Ultimate Truth" exists or to seek eternal wisdom. Liberals also are more cynical about American society. They are more likely to report that some people are born lucky, that the world is controlled by a few wealthy, powerful elites, and that it is useless to try to find life's purpose. In contrast, conservatives tend to be less pessimistic about life and its options and more confident that there is "Truth" and that is it known to them.