Churchgoers, Believers

U. S. churchmen perennially watch for signs of a U. S. religious revival, are perennially pleased to think they see such signs. An unkind blow were two surveys of U. S. opinion released this week. Not conclusive (because neither provided any conclusive comparison with the past), they were nevertheless far from encouraging:

>A Gallup poll reported that 50% of the U. S. public go to church less often than their parents did; 18% more often; 32% "about the same." Asked whether interest in religion was increasing or decreasing, only 27% of farmers and 29% of small-town residents thought that interest had increased, but 42% of city dwellers thought so. Possible explanation: city folks hear more about the world's troubles--a reason given by many a police for reg turning to the church. According to the poll, 31% of the people listen to church services on the radio. >In the Survey Graphic, James Henry Leuba, retired Bryn Mawr psychologist, published results of a religious sampling of names in Who's Who in America, grouped as: 1) bankers, 2) other businessmen, 3) lawyers, 4) writers. Psychologist Leuba's conclusions from replies to his statements of belief:*

Believers in God Believers in Immortality

Bankers 64% 71% Businessmen 53% 62% Lawyers 53% 59% Writers . . 32% 40%

Even so, writers appeared to be more religious than scientists. Psychologist Leuba investigated 23,000 scientists in 1933, concluded that only 30% believed in God and 33% believed in immortality.

*On God: "I believe in a God to whom one may pray in the expectation of receiving an answer."On immortality: "I believe in personal immortality for all men," or "conditional immortality for those who have reached a certain state of development."

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