Fewer Americans believe that churches and other houses of worship have a significant role in addressing social problems, findings from new research by Pew Research Center suggest.
Four in ten Americans (39 percent) say that churches and other houses of worship contribute "not much" or "nothing" in addressing important social problems. However, the majority (57 percent) still say that such institutions contribute "a great deal" (19 percent) or "some" (38 percent).
In August 2008, 75 percent of respondents said churches and other houses of worship provide "a great deal" or "some" in helping to solve social issues. Four years later in July 2012, that figure dropped by 10 percentage points at 65 percent who would say that religious establishments contribute to solving social issues.
The decrease in this belief, the study suggests, may be due to the increase in those who identify themselves as religious "nones," or those who do not ascribe to any particular religion. The study found that the religious "nones"are the less likely to see the church as playing a vital role in solving social problems (38 percent).
However, the notion that religious establishments play in a role in solving social problems is less prevalent even among religiously affiliated adults.
"Among white evangelical Protestants, for instance, seven in ten now say religious institutions contribute 'a great deal' or 'some' to solving important social problems, down 16 percentage points from 2008," Michael Lipka, a senior editor at Pew Research Center, said. "And among white Catholics, 61% take this view, down 18 points over this eight-year span."
