Louisiana Public Square

*Survey Results* *RELIGION AND GOVERNMENT*
*LSU*
Q1. How closely would you say you follow news on state government and public affairs in Louisiana?
	% Very Closely 46.48 Somewhat 45.07 Not Very Closely 5.63 Not At All 2.82
Q2. In your opinion, should churches and other houses of worship keep out of political matters or should they express their views on day-to-day social and political questions?
	% Should Keep Out 32.35 Should Express Views 67.65 Don't Know/Not Available 0.0 Refused 0.0
Q3. During political elections, should churches and other houses of worship come out in favor of one candidate over another?
	% Should Come Out In Favor 47.14 Should Not Come Out In Favor 52.56 Don't Know/Not Available 0.0 Refused 0.0
Q4. Do you believe that it is proper or improper for political parties to ask church members for lists of people who attend their church so the parties can encourage them to register and vote?
	% Proper 34.92 Improper 65.08
Q5. Do you believe that it is proper or improper for Catholic church leaders to deny communion to Catholic politicians whose views on abortion and other life issues go against church teachings?
	% Proper 25.00 Improper 75.00
Q6. Do you believe that it is proper or improper for the Ten Commandments to be displayed in a government building?
	% Proper 74.29 Improper 25.71 Don't Know / Not Available 0.0 Refused 0.0
Q7. Do you believe that it is proper or improper to have a prayer read in public school classrooms?
	% Proper 76.47 Improper 23.53
Q8. At the present time, do you think religion as a whole is increasing its influence on American life or losing its influence?
	% Increasing 47.06 Losing 41.18 Same 11.76
Q9. Do you favor or oppose a school voucher program that would allow parents to use tax funds to send their children to the school of their choice, even if it is a private school?
	% Favor 63.08 Oppose 36.92
Q10. Do you think private schools that accept publicly funded vouchers should or should not be required to comply with government regulations that apply to public schools?
	% Should 60.32 Should Not 39.68
Q11. Which one of the following opinions best agrees with your view on abortion?
	% Never Permit 23.88 Permit Only if Woman In Danger 43.28 Permit If Woman Would Have Difficulty Caring For The Child 7.46 Never Forbid 25.37
Q12. Do you think same sex couples should or should not be allowed to form legally recognized civil unions, giving them legal rights in areas such as health insurance, inheritance, and pension coverage?
	% Should 50.75 Should Not 49.25
Q13. What is your religious preference?
	% Protestant 40.58 Roman Catholic 26.09 Jewish 0.00 Mormon (including Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) 0.00 Orthodox Church (Greek or Russian) 1.45 Islam / Muslim 1.45 Don't know / Not available 21.74 Refused 8.70
Q14. Would you describe yourself as a "born again" or evangelical Christian?
	% Yes, Would 55.71 No, Would Not 38.57 Does Not Apply 5.71
Q15. Aside from weddings and funerals how often do you attend religious services?
	% Once A Week 55.71 Once or Twice a Month 22.86 A few times a year 8.57 Seldom 8.57 Never 4.29
Q16. How important would you say religion is in your own life?
	% Very important 81.3 Somewhat important 12.5 Not very important 0.0 Not at all important 6.3 Don't know / Not available 0.0 Refused 0.0
Q17. Would you say the government is pretty much run by a few big interests looking out for themselves or that it is run for the benefit of all the people?
	% Few Big Interests 75.41 Benefit of All 24.59
Q18. How much attention do you feel the government pays to what the people think when it decides what to do?
	% Good deal 14.29 Some 48.57 Not much 37.14 Don't know / Not available 0.0 Refused 0.0
Q19. Discussions - even those that involve serious disagreements - should be an important part of the political processes.
	% Strongly agree 62.32 Agree 33.33 Neither agree nor disagree 1.45 Disagree 2.90 Strongly disagree 0.0 Don't know / Not available 0.0 Refused 0.0
Q20. Democracy requires hearing from all sides of a political issue, even those with unpopular views.
	% Strongly agree 66.67 Agree 33.33 Neither agree nor disagree 0.0 Disagree 0.0 Strongly disagree 0.0 Don't know / Not available 0.0 Refused 0.0
Q21. What is your political party affiliation?
	% Republican 29.41 Democrat 36.76 Independent 27.94 Don't know / Not available 0.0 Refused 0.0 Other 5.88
Q22. The terms "liberal" and "conservative" may mean different things to people, depending on the kind of issue one is considering. In terms of ECONOMIC issues, would you say you are:
	% Very liberal 7.25 Liberal 17.39 Somewhat liberal 11.59 Moderate 15.94 Somewhat conservative 23.19 Conservative 21.74 Very conservative 2.90 Don't know / Not available 0.0 Refused 0.0
Q23. Now, thinking in terms of SOCIAL issues and people's behavior, would you say you are:
	% Very liberal 8.70 Liberal 17.39 Somewhat liberal 15.94 Moderate 8.70 Somewhat conservative 18.84 Conservative 21.74 Very conservative 8.70 Don't know / Not available 0.0 Refused 0.0
Q24. How much attention do you feel the government pays to what the people think when it decides what to do?
	% White 56.52 Black 37.68 Asian 1.45 Hispanic 0.00 Native American 0.00 Mixed race 2.90 Other 1.45 Don't know / Not available 0.00 Refused 0.00
Q25. What is the highest level of education you have received?
	% Grade school 4.35 High school diploma / GED 24.64 Vocational / Technical degree 5.80 Associates degree 8.70 Bachelors degree 28.99 Masters degree 17.39 PhD / MD / JD 7.25 Other 2.90 Refused 0.0
Q26. What was your age on your last birthday?
	% 17 or younger 0.0 18 - 24 18.18 25 - 34 25.76 35 - 44 7.58 45 - 54 27.27 55 - 64 12.12 65 - 74 6.06 75 - 84 3.03 85 or older 0.0 Don't know / Not available 0.0 Refused 0.0
Q27. Marital Status?
	% Single 36.23 Married 49.28 Divorced / Separated 13.04 Widowed 1.45 Other 0.00 Don't know / Not available 0.00 Refused 0.00
Q28. 2003 Household Income Before Taxes?
	% "0,000-10,000" 18.18 "10,001-20,000" 10.91 "20,001-30,000" 12.73 "30,001-40,000" 10.91 "40,001-50,000" 5.45 "50,001-60,000" 5.45 "60,001-70,000" 5.45 "70,001-80,000" 9.09 "80,001-100,000" 9.09 "100,001 or more" 12.73 Refused 0.00 Don't Know / Not Available 0.00
Q29. Gender?
	% Male 55.22 Female 44.78