We are Boston. . .

Torture and Faith: Go Figure

So, now come the results of the new Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life poll about the relationship between faith/faith practice and one's attitude toward torture.

Facts about the research:

742 American adults surveyed on use of torture against suspected terrorists

54 percent of those who go to religious services at least weekly say it's often or sometimes acceptable

People unaffiliated with any religious group were least likely to back torture

The report:

The more often Americans go to church, the more likely they are to support the torture of suspected terrorists, according to a new survey.

More than half of people who attend services at least once a week -- 54 percent -- said the use of torture against suspected terrorists is "often" or "sometimes" justified. Only 42 percent of people who "seldom or never" go to services agreed, according to the analysis released Wednesday by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.

White evangelical Protestants were the religious group most likely to say torture is often or sometimes justified -- more than six in 10 supported it. People unaffiliated with any religious organization were least likely to back it. Only four in 10 of them did.

Reminds me of the attitudes and reactions I grew up hearing in my home church in regard to issues related to civil rights, racial prejudice, war and other opportunities for hate-speech and hatred.

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Lots to think about here. Like to hear your reaction.

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Anxieties of the Rich

Advancing Philanthropy magazine published an enlightening report recently on worry and the rich ("What Worries The Wealthy," September-October 2006, page 46).

Quoting The U. S. Trust Annual Survey of Affluent Americans, AP reported the top "worries" of the rich this way:

1. Terrorism in the U. S. and abroad will negatively impact the economy and the securities markets (right at 90% ranked this concern first, up from 86% in 2003).

2. Concerns for the next generation's financial difficulties (75% cited this as a major worry, down from 82% in 2003).

3. Fear that taxes will rise steeply in the next few years (70% expressed this worry, up from 59% in 2003).

U. S. Trust, a New York-based financial management company conducts the annual poll that seeks information and opinions from a representative sampling of the top 1% of the wealthiest Americans. The "wealthiest Americans" by this poll's definition are individuals with adjusted gross incomes of more than $325,000 annually or net worth of greater than $5.9 million.