Conservative Pastors Refuse to Budge on Homosexuality
Theologically-conservative pastors are known for their unwavering stands on many issues, and homosexuality is at the top of the list. A recent survey shows that conservative pastors refuse to compromise their beliefs or succumb to cultural pressures on this controversial issue.
Tampa, FL, June 24, 2013 --(PR.com)-- The nationwide survey conducted by the Center for the Study of American Culture and Faith discovered that nine out of every ten conservative pastors (90%) maintain that “homosexuality should be discouraged by society.” Only one out of every 20 conservative pastors (5%) say “homosexuality should be accepted by society,” and 5% are still wrestling with the issue.
This outcome is radically different from the national perspective among adults, as reflected in a concurrent survey by Pew Research which found that the American public is more likely to conclude that “homosexuality should be accepted by society” (57%) than to say that it should be “discouraged by society” (36%). The Pew research did indicate that the conservative subgroup of the population described as “white evangelicals” hold a very different view from the general public: 61% said society should discourage homosexuality and just half as many (30%) said society should accept homosexuality. The views of the “white evangelical” segment more closely mirror the views of conservative pastors, although they are not as single-mindedly unwavering as those of the conservative pastors.
Bill Dallas, who serves as the director of the Center for the Study of American Culture and Faith, was not surprised by the results. “There are just a handful of moral choices that conservative pastors almost universally agree upon, based on their worldview. These pastors are confident that homosexuality neither honors Christ nor satisfies biblical morality. No matter how much cultural or political pressure is placed upon them, it is highly unlikely that these pastors will change their position on this matter. If this is one of those issues that stands in the way of eliminating the infamous ‘culture war,’ then you can count on the culture war remaining alive for years to come.”
Methodology
The survey data comparison between the adult public and theologically-conservative Protestant pastors is based on national surveys conducted in a similar timeframe. Those studies included the following research projects:
· The survey among pastors of Protestant churches was conducted by The Center for the Study of American Culture and Faith during March and April 2013 among a nationally representative sample of 413 theologically-conservative pastors. The estimated maximum amount of sampling error associated with that sample is +5.0 percentage points.
· The Pew survey among the general public was conducted by the Pew Research Center in March 2013 among a nationally representative sample of 1,501 people 18 or older. The estimated maximum amount of sampling error associated with that sample is +2.6 percentage points.
· The same questions were asked of respondents in both surveys to provide an accurate comparison of opinions.
About the Center for the Study of American Culture and Faith
The Center for the Study of American Culture and Faith regularly conducts surveys on issues of national importance for the purpose of helping to educate the public about the impact that culture and faith have on elections.
The Center for the Study of American Culture and Faith is a division of United in Purpose Education, a 501c3 whose mission is to promote traditional Judeo-Christian principles in American society through values education, research, voter outreach, marketing strategies, and technology tools.
More information about the Center for the Study of American Culture and Faith and its work can be found at www.culturefaith.com
This outcome is radically different from the national perspective among adults, as reflected in a concurrent survey by Pew Research which found that the American public is more likely to conclude that “homosexuality should be accepted by society” (57%) than to say that it should be “discouraged by society” (36%). The Pew research did indicate that the conservative subgroup of the population described as “white evangelicals” hold a very different view from the general public: 61% said society should discourage homosexuality and just half as many (30%) said society should accept homosexuality. The views of the “white evangelical” segment more closely mirror the views of conservative pastors, although they are not as single-mindedly unwavering as those of the conservative pastors.
Bill Dallas, who serves as the director of the Center for the Study of American Culture and Faith, was not surprised by the results. “There are just a handful of moral choices that conservative pastors almost universally agree upon, based on their worldview. These pastors are confident that homosexuality neither honors Christ nor satisfies biblical morality. No matter how much cultural or political pressure is placed upon them, it is highly unlikely that these pastors will change their position on this matter. If this is one of those issues that stands in the way of eliminating the infamous ‘culture war,’ then you can count on the culture war remaining alive for years to come.”
Methodology
The survey data comparison between the adult public and theologically-conservative Protestant pastors is based on national surveys conducted in a similar timeframe. Those studies included the following research projects:
· The survey among pastors of Protestant churches was conducted by The Center for the Study of American Culture and Faith during March and April 2013 among a nationally representative sample of 413 theologically-conservative pastors. The estimated maximum amount of sampling error associated with that sample is +5.0 percentage points.
· The Pew survey among the general public was conducted by the Pew Research Center in March 2013 among a nationally representative sample of 1,501 people 18 or older. The estimated maximum amount of sampling error associated with that sample is +2.6 percentage points.
· The same questions were asked of respondents in both surveys to provide an accurate comparison of opinions.
About the Center for the Study of American Culture and Faith
The Center for the Study of American Culture and Faith regularly conducts surveys on issues of national importance for the purpose of helping to educate the public about the impact that culture and faith have on elections.
The Center for the Study of American Culture and Faith is a division of United in Purpose Education, a 501c3 whose mission is to promote traditional Judeo-Christian principles in American society through values education, research, voter outreach, marketing strategies, and technology tools.
More information about the Center for the Study of American Culture and Faith and its work can be found at www.culturefaith.com
Contact
Center for the Stufy of American Culture and Faith
Jessi Cabrera
715-637-0096
www.culturefaith.com
Jessi Cabrera
715-637-0096
www.culturefaith.com
Contact
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