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A Year After 9/11 Terrorist Attacks, Millions Of Americans Say They Are Thinking More About Religion And Taking Action To Be More Religious

A year after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, a new poll finds that tens of millions of Americans are thinking more about religion and taking action to be more religious in their daily lives.

The poll was commissioned by the Barnabas Institute, a nondenominational religious organization in San Rafael, Calif. Major survey findings include the following:

• Forty percent of Americans said they are thinking more about the religious/spiritual side of their lives.
• Two-thirds of those who say they're thinking more about the religious/spiritual side of their lives also said they are taking action to be more religious or spiritual by doing one or more of the following:
  • Trying harder to live as their faith requires (93.4%)
  • Reading the Bible, Koran, or other spiritually-oriented books (77.7%)
  • Talking to others about God (74.9%)
  • Attending religious services more (66.2%)
  • Making other changes (58.2%)

According to Dr. Miki Vasquez, president of the Institute, the poll findings show that "those who are thinking more about religion are following up their thought with action.

"Most say they are trying harder to live as their faith requires. Younger people attend religious services much more than before, while older people read more spiritually oriented books such as the Bible or Koran. Respondents of all ages say they are talking to others about God," she noted.

A preliminary tabulation of the survey findings can be found at the Institute's Web site at www.barnabasinstitute.org.

On Sept. 30, a complete analysis of the survey results will be available without charge by visiting the Web site, by calling 1-800-459-3877, or by writing to the Barnabas Institute, 2442 Cerrillos Rd., Suite 179, Santa Fe, NM 87505.