Aus Thumbs Up for Religious Education

With the recent high profile of religious issues in schools in France, the UK and elsewhere, major agency Roy Morgan has found Australians overwhelmingly in favour of teaching religion in Government schools, according to its latest 'Single Source Survey'. However, there is a slight downward trend in support.

In the March 2005 quarter respondents were asked 'Do you think religion should - or should not be taught once a week in Government schools?'. The majority of those surveyed (62%) said religion should be taught, while only 30% said it should not, with 8% undecided. The number agreeing has fallen by 4% in five years (66% in favour in March 2000). The fall in support is evident across all age groups and in both country areas and capital cities.

Detailed analysis shows that most Christian subgroups are 70-80% likely to be in favour, with the Baptists topping the poll at 88%, Uniting church 77%, Methodists 76%, Anglican 71%, Presbyterians 70% and Catholics 69%. A smaller majority of Other Religions - but still a majority (56%) - including Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist, were in favour. Of those Australians who said they have no religion, 35% said religion should be taught in Government schools, with 56% saying religion should not be taught, and 9% undecided.

Women (66%) were more likely to in favour than men (57%), and the 50+ age group support it in 72% of cases, with the 18-24 age group least likely (50%). Analysis by voting intention shows a majority of supporters of all parties except the Greens and the Australian Democrats favour the teaching of religion in Government schools.

Findings are based on the Roy Morgan Single Source, 2005 which interviewed 14,632 Australians aged 14 and over from January to March, 2005. Roy Morgan is online at www.roymorgan.com

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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