Online Vol. 04.2007 

The Spiritual State of the Union

A Spiritual Enterprise Institute Poll

By Theodore Roosevelt Malloch

The purpose of the Spiritual Enterprise Institute is straightforward: It has a clear vision that comes directly from conversations with the legendary financial entrepreneur and philanthropist, Sir John Templeton. Founded in 2005, SEI focuses on the research, lessons and potential value of understanding spirituality as an essential component of economic development and progress.

Recently, the Spiritual Enterprise Institute inaugurated an annual Gallup Poll on the Spiritual State of the Union to examine the role of both individual and corporate spiritual commitment in American life. Although survey respondents provided their own definitions of "spirituality," the working definition is deemed to be "sensitivity or attachment to religious values and things of the spirit rather than worldly or material interests."

One of the most noteworthy projects undertaken by the Institute, the Spiritual State of the Union poll received national attention when it was released and reveals much about spiritual life in America today. Here are some of the most cogent headline-catching findings.

Economic health is related to spiritual health.
Ethical issues were found most important to the 50-64 age group who attend church. Many so-called hot issues like gun laws, technology, overpopulation, education, don’t register very much or at all. Of economic issues, fuel oil prices are more important than anything else across all groups.

Regionally:

• People in the South care more about ethical/moral issues
  
• In the East about terrorism
  
• In the Mid-West about Iraq
  
• In far West about education

Republicans care much more about moral decline, while Democrats care about poor leadership. Liberals are twice as unhappy about the general economy as Conservatives. Those who say faith shapes success and the spiritually committed are much more concerned about ethical/moral issues. The richer you are the better you think the economy is doing. The US economic system—capitalism—is viewed as "basically OK."

Our economy depends on the spiritual health of the nation.
The resounding answer is "a great deal" — except for non-churchgoers. In the South support is overwhelming for such a statement and a majority of activists and poor people believed this even more than the rich. In fact, many people have come to think that work makes the world a better place. The only disagreement is in the beliefs of our youngest workers.

Work is of value to the world.
Christians and the spiritually committed are most likely to completely agree. The poorer you are the more you agree that work is important. Republicans agree more so than Democrats but Independents agree the highest. College graduates completely agree; the same as church goers.

More than half of all Americans think ethical behavior will pay off economically.
85% mostly agree, across the nation. The highest totals for agreement were: satisfied workers, the spiritually committed, faith-based activists and entrepreneurs. Most people still think breaking the rules is a no-no and a significant population thinks that people are always ethical. While there is a profound loss of trust in America and the effect of shaky ethics is growing, a significant population thinks that people are always ethical.

People can no longer be trusted.
59% said you can’t be too careful. Distrust is highest in 18-34 age groups and in frequent churchgoers. 69% of the poorest income people lack any trust.

Open expression of religion in the workplace is encouraged or tolerated.
79% of Americans agree, while only 20% discourage such expression. Some 19% of people have participated in prayer and bible study at work; this holds across categories. In the South the number is closer to a quarter of the population. People are equally split on prayer and religion at work, though the practice appears to be growing.

The Protestant work ethic is still alive and well.
Hard work may offer some guarantee of ultimate success according to half of those polled. However when asked whether the strength of the US is based on business: 77% agree; 82% of Republicans vs. 71 % of Democrats.

Government regulation does more harm than good.
58% agree that spiritual forces determine success in life. Government is no longer viewed as the savior or even first agent for change and betterment.

Belief in God remains high.
82% believe in God; but increasingly many see themselves as spiritual not necessarily religious. When asked: Does God want us to find work that suits our talents, 87% agree. Asked Does God want us to be useful to the world, 91% agree. Asked if faith equals purpose in life, 69% agreed. The least likely to agree: young males with college degrees and high incomes who infrequently attend church.

People with a purpose are satisfied in their work and believe their faith shapes success.
When asked are you spiritually committed: just under 65% said yes. 65% also agree that faith encourages development of God-given talents, vs. 87% of religious people.

Political divisions may run deep in America but the spiritual health of the nation is viewed as critically important.
When asked: Are you happy with who you are: 88% said basically yes. College graduates and church-goers were the happiest at 92%. 63% of all Americans found the spiritual health of the country to be very important.

Americans are very generous people.
65% of Americans volunteer a great deal or some of the time vs. 89% for the spiritually committed. Where do people volunteer? : Church, 85%; Charity, 53%; School, 37%. How many dollars a year do they actually give? : $100, 18%; $500, 30%; $1000, 17%; $5000, 22%.

In his executive summary of the poll, George Gallop suggests that the survey marks rapid shifts in American attitudes as well as confirmation of the critical underpinning of religious and spiritual beliefs as they relate to managing current problems, the economy and work; volunteerism and the giving of money; meaning and purpose in life; and one’s outlook to the future.

My one, personal take-away from the research is close to the mission of the Spiritual Enterprise Institute and is good news: The 18th Century concept of a Protestant work ethic has not only survived the 20th century waves of communism, fascism, socialism, secularism and the welfare state, but may be positioned for a resurgence.

Theodore Roosevelt Malloch, is Chairman and CEO of The Roosevelt Group, which conceptualizes and executes some of today's most dynamic intellectual projects. The Spiritual Enterprise Institute (SEI) was established and endowed in 2005, by Dr. Malloch, to rediscover, measure, organize and direct new thinking about spiritual enterprise and spiritual capital. www.spiritualenterprise.org

For further commentary on the Spiritual State of the Union please go to:
www.washingtontimes.com/national/20070130-114007-7207r.htm

Marby Sparkman, Editor
milestoneseditor@templeton.org

Pamela Thompson, Vice President of Communications
pthompson@templeton.org

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