Newswise — Despite the pervasive use of the Internet in everyday life, most Americans report they never use it to find religious or spiritual content, and most never use it to share religious views, according to the Baylor Religion Survey.
That holds true regardless of religious tradition, said Baylor University sociologists, who recently presented the latest survey findings at the Religion Newswriters Association’s annual conference.
“Even the most religious typically refrain from using the Internet to proselytize, but Evangelicals and Black Protestants are the most likely to share their religious views online,” said Baylor sociologist Paul McClure.
When asked about how the Internet affects their spiritual lives, 62 percent Americans said the Internet has no effect on them spiritually. Of those who attend church weekly, 45 percent said it has no effect, while 50 percent believe the Internet affects their spiritual life positively. Only 4 percent of weekly religious attenders believe the Internet has a negative effect on them spiritually.
Despite some worries that we spend too much time online, most Americans, especially older ones, do not think they are addicted to technology. But younger Americans feel differently, with 43 percent of those ages 18 to 24 reporting that they feel addicted to their technological devices, according to McClure and Baylor co-researcher Justin Nelson. Those with no religious affiliation are also the most likely to feel addicted to technology, they said.
Nearly 9 in 10 Americans disagree with the claim that science and technology will make religion obsolete, and no religious groups predominantly agree with the claim that technology will undermine religion.
Meanwhile, “just over one third of Americans with no religious affiliation think that religion is destined to the dustbin of history,” McClure said.
The findings were included in Wave 5 of the survey, with the theme of “American Values, Mental Health and Using Technology in the Age of Trump.” Participants were 1,501 adults chosen randomly from across the country. The survey was designed by Baylor scholars and administered by the Gallup Organization.
Other findings in the 48-page report included:
- Trump supporters tend to describe themselves as very religious. They believe that the United States is a Christian nation, that Muslims are threats to America, that God is actively engaged in world affairs and that gender roles should be traditional, said Paul Froese, Ph.D., survey director and professor of sociology.
- Nearly half of Americans are sure they will go to Heaven; more than a third have little to no fear of Hell. About 10 percent feel life has no clear purpose, said Lindsay Wilkinson, Ph.D., assistant professor of sociology. Those who think they will go to Heaven say they are “very” or “pretty” happy; people who do not fear Hell also are consistently happy. But those who say they have found a purpose in life are the most likely to be very happy.
- Most rural Americans believe that the federal government should allow religious symbols in public spaces; that success of the United States is part of God’s plan; and that the federal government should allow prayer in public schools, said researcher Michael Lotspeich. Nearly half believe that Middle East refugees pose a terrorist threat to the country, compared to 1 in 5 Americans in large cities who believe that.
For other findings in the latest wave and previous waves of the survey, visit www.baylor.edu/baylorreligionsurvey.
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Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 16,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.
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