Speaking of: Religion

In surveys conducted in the United States, Britain and Germany, Americans turned out to be more religious on most measures. Eastern Germany stood apart on most religious issues, in part because of attempts by its former Communist rulers to abolish or at least limit religion.

THEOLOGY AND BELIEFS

Q: Would you describe yourself as . . ?:

Religious Non-religious United States 73% 9% Britain 44 26 Western Germany 48 31 Eastern Germany 21 71

Q: Which best describes your beliefs about God?*

United States I believe in God now and I always have.: 89% I believe in God now but I didn’t used to.: 5% I don’t believe in God now but I used to.: 4% I don’t believe in God and I never have.: 2% *Britain: I believe in God now and I always have.: 61% I believe in God now but I didn’t used to.: 8% I don’t believe in God now but I used to.: 17% I don’t believe in God and I never have.: 14% *Western Germany: I believe in God now and I always have.: 58% I believe in God now but I didn’t used to.: 9% I don’t believe in God now but I used to.: 23% I don’t believe in God and I never have.: 10% *Eastern Germany: I believe in God now and I always have.: 20% I believe in God now but I didn’t used to.: 5% I don’t believe in God now but I used to.: 25% I don’t believe in God and I never have.: 51% * RELIGION AND POLITICS Q: Politicians who do not believe in God are unfit for public office:

Agree Disagree United States 30% 42% Britain 9 68 Western Germany 14 72 Eastern Germany 4 85

*Q: Religious leaders should not try to influence how people vote in elections:

Agree Disagree United States 65% 18% Britain 74 18 Western Germany 85 8 Eastern Germany 80 11

SCHOOL PRAYER Q: Should there be daily prayers in all public schools?:

Yes (definitely or probably) United States: 64% Britain: 72% Western Germany: 42% Eastern Germany: 12% PREMARITAL SEX Q: Do you think premarital sex is wrong?:

Always or almost always United States: 39% Britain: 20% Western Germany: 6% Eastern Germany: 6% Source: The American Enterprise Institute, based on surveys for the International Social Survey Program, 1991. *Some figures may not add up to 100% due to rounding.