Mainline clergy surveyed
Public Religion Research has issued what it calls "is the largest survey of mainline clergy in seven years, and the broadest ever in scope." The mainline denominations included were: "United Methodist Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, American Baptist Churches USA, Presbyterian Church USA, Episcopal Church, United Church of Christ, and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)."
Some of the findings with particular reference to Episcopalians:
- Federal role in social problems: A majority of clergy in every denomination agreed the federal government should do more to solve social problems. Episcopalian clergy agreed 87% of time, second only to UCC clergy.
- Abortion: 73% of Episcopalian clergy agreed abortion should be legal in most or all cases, second to UCC clergy.
- Same-sex marriage: Among Episcopalian clergy 49% believe marriage should be legal, 38% civil union should be legal but not marriage, and 13% would give no legal recognition (this latest being the second smallest; only 9% of UCC would give no legal recognition).
- Political orientation: Among Episcopalians 66% identified as liberals, 13% as moderates, 21% as conservatives.
- Biblical inerrancy: Episcopalian clergy were most likely to disagree (36%) or strongly disagree (53%) that the Bible was the inerrant word of God.
- Religious orientation: Those surveyed could choose more than one category. See the figure below for the results.
The full 35 page study is available here (PDF).
Public Religion Research President Dr. Robert P. Jones participated in the January national press conference with leading Evangelical and progressive leaders to announce the Come Let us Reason Together Governing Agenda.
More: About Public Religion Research | ENS analysis of the report
