Poll: Most Evangelicals and Catholics Condone Torture in Some Instances

When I heard about this survey. I was surprized. Who did they ask? People who are true Christians believe what Jesus Himself said and did, "Turn the other cheek to them also." How would anyone who claims to serve Jesus ever condone torture? When I first saw "waterboarding" I was appalled. How could anyone ever do that? As a Christian who loves Jesus, I would never support or even remotely condone the use of torture against anyone. Christians are already tortured and martyred for their faith in Christ in other nations. I think perhaps they need to take a step back and resurvey a different element of "churchgoers." Christians are to love people at all times, that was one of our commandments. We would not condone torture.

Sandra Pruette of NC 2:25PM May 03, 2009

Attend religious services weekly (Sample size: 336). Percent that responded torture could ever be justified (often, sometimes, rarely): 73 % (2 percent non responsive).

Attend religious services seldom or never (Sample size: 168). Percent that responded torture could ever be justified(often, sometimes, rarely): 69 %. (5 percent non responsive).

Let's apply some hypothesis testing. p1 (proportion of positive responses). = .73... Read More

p2 = .69

At the 0.05 significance level.

Null hypothesis: Proportion of religious affiliated condoning torture is = to proportion of non-religious affiliated condoning torture.

Alt. hypothesis: Proportion of non-church goers condoning torture is > proportion '''''

Reject null if Z > Z.05

Z = (.73-.69)/ sqrt((.716667)(.283333)(1/112)) = .939424

(this is a Z proportion test)

Z.05 = 1.645

.939424 < 1.645 so there is insufficient evidence to support the alt. hypothesis that proportion of religious affiliated condoning torture is greater than those non-affiliated.

Essentially, if you run the statistics on the poll, their is not enough evidence to conclude that religious affiliated are more inclined to condone torture than non-religious people. The title of the article is correct in saying "Most Evangelical as and Catholics condone torture in some instances.", since it was 73 percent. However, it should also... Read More say "Most non-religious people condone torture in some instances.", since that percentage was 69, also greater than half. Where they are wrong is to conclude that based on the poll, evangelicals and catholics are 'more' likely to condone torture. The difference in responses is statistically insignificant if you run the correct tests. Poorly written article.

Bryan of NE 2:34AM May 02, 2009

Surveys can have a lot of errors dependending on the sample population of the respondents. 742 is a very small sample for the US population and thus this research has a very big "margin of error" in statistical terms. The problem is the media likes to sensationalize researches on religion especially when it is so negative without really checking the possible validity and reliability of the research. Another research should cross validate the data on the news with a bigger population sample from different parts of the US. As for me and most statisticians this recent kind of research is most likely unreliable, invalid, and has a big range of "margin of error." Most likely the one who did this research has a hidden agenda against religious people.

Bren Kryg of NC 5:25PM May 01, 2009

As with all poles dealing with religion the questions can be miss leading. The questioner will use this on purpose to benifit destruction of religion in our country. A simple question such as "do you approve of waterboarding" then asking the person their deomgraphics can create and entire article against the church. Without a true knowlege based inquiry, how many people know what waterboarding is, and what it entails. Some might not actually concider it torture, due to lack of knowledge. So there view is from lack of comrehension but it will still be publisied on the side opposite that of Christs teachings, then they can say "look at what christians believe in" all from a lack of information and poorly asked questions. Why do they do this? Conflict and division of the faithful makes money.

I am a Catholic, I abide by the teachings of Christ as handed down througout the generations as given by Christ. I know what Protestents beleive and why, because I was one for 30 years. All correct teachings, regardless of denomination, if they are taught under the precepts of Gods love for all creation. Will dictate that Torture is wrong, abortion, and embrionic stem cell science are inherently evil. For those who have faith that the bible shows us the teachings of Christ, and how to live holy lives, all Christians will believe that " What you do unto the least of me, you also do unto me".

We show our love of God by loving our neighbors, and by loving our neighbors we show we love Christ. This should not be confusing to anyone about who our nighbors are in the eyes of God.

I say all this because to many christians of all faiths are leaving God becasue of things they THINK other christians are doing. I see people leaving there churchs because they feel they are surrounded by hipocrits and holiday church goers. Those who say they are holy but live on the immorality of society and borderline worship secularism. Everyone needs to hold faith to God, all the more now since our politicians are turning against us. The degredation in America and, poor teachings on morals by corupt teachers should make us hold all the more to our faith. Somehow many claim this is all bringing us true freedom. I see to many Christians just giving up.

Christ said "Pick up you cross and follow" Don't put it down becasue others do. I feel one day their will be a reconning, I think most have already chosen what side they are on.

"Vivat Jesus"

chance of ID 3:28PM May 01, 2009