Religion and Public Opinion in Britain

Ben Clements is a Lecturer in the Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Leicester, UK.

'Much that is written about the public effects of religion is speculative. Reliable information about the social and political opinions of religious people does exist in a mass of survey data but it requires statistical skill to mine that data, a good mind to interpret it, and a clear prose style to make it available to the rest of us. Ben Clements has all three and he has performed a sterling service.' Steve Bruce, Professor of Sociology, University of Aberdeen, UK 'This book is a veritable gold-mine for anyone interested in public opinion and the effects of religion on this. Religion, moreover, is considered variously: in terms of allegiance, activity and belief. The 'patterns' that emerge, both within denominations and between them, are not only fascinating but significant. Policy makers, among others, would do well to pay attention.' Grace Davie, Professor of Sociology, University of Exeter, UK 'Weaving together public opinion data from a range of sources, Clements provides an exhaustive, detailed account of the nuanced relationship between Christianity and British politics. Religion and Public Opinion in Britain carefully traces the changing landscape including the decline of confidence in institutional and political authority and subsequent rise of secularism as well as the consistent links between denomination and political party support. Mapped over time and examined together, these consistencies and changes explain the subtleties underpinning moral-political debates over abortion, homosexuality and post-911 foreign policy. Students of British politics, and politicians worried about re-election, would do well to learn from Clements' thorough analysis of public opinion and to take heed of the powerful force Christianity continues to play in British politics.' Angelia R. Wilson, Professor of Politics, University of Manchester, UK

• List Of Figures List Of Tables Preface Acknowledgements 1. Introduction Methodological Approach And Source Material Data Sources Measurement Of Religion Outline Of Chapters 2. Religious Authority Religious Change: Belonging, Behaving And Believing Religious Authority In Britain Confidence In Religious Institutions: Aggregate-Level Trends Group Attitudes Confidence In The Church And Other Institutions Attitudes Towards The Church Of England And The Roman Catholic Church Public Attitudes Towards The Involvement Of Religious Leaders In Politics Aggregate-Level Trends Group Attitudes Conclusion 3. Religion And Party Choice Religion And Party Support In The 1940s And 1950s Religion And Voting Behaviour At General Elections Religion, Parental Socialisation And Voting Religion, Other Social Factors And Voting Religion And Party Support In Recent Decades Religion And Contemporary Party Choice Conclusion 4. Religion And Ideology Left-Right Ideology Welfare Ideology Libertarian-Authoritarian Ideology Attitudes Towards The Death Penalty Attitudes Towards Censorship Conclusion 5. Religion And Abortion Attitudes Towards Abortion: Opinion Polls Attitudes Towards Abortion: Recurrent Social Surveys The Attitudes Of The Catholic Community Conclusion 6. Religion, Homosexuality And Gay Rights Attitudes Towards Homosexuality Attitudes Towards Gay Rights Issues Attitudes Towards Same-Sex Individuals Holding Roles And Occupations Attitudes Towards Adoption By Same-Sex Couples Attitudes Towards Same-Sex Marriage Conclusion 7. Religion And Foreign Policy Attitudes Towards European Integration Religious Groups In Britain Religious Groups In Britain And The EU Attitudes Towards Military Intervention Religious Groups In The General Population Religious Groups In The Ethnic Minority Population Conclusion 8. Conclusion Religion And Areas Of Continuity In Attitudes Religion And Areas Of Change In Attitudes Limitations Of The Study And Areas For Future Research Notes Appendix 1 Measures Of Religion In The Recurrent Social Surveys Appendix 2 Measurement Of Independent Variables Used In The Multivariate Analyses Appendix 3 Attitudes Based On Additional Questions Asking About God List Of Survey Datasets Bibliography