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Five variables comprise this indicator. The base question asked
respondents to identify their perceived level of involvement with their faith both now and
ten years prior. This provides two perspectives, one being level of involvement and the
other being the ten-year trend. Respondents were asked to rate their involvement level on
a scale from one to ten—one meaning no involvement and ten meaning strong
involvement. For analysis purposes, PERCEPT has classified those answers from one to three
as Not Involved. Answers from four to seven are classified as Somewhat Involved and
answers from eight to ten are classified as Strongly Involved. |
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Respondents who indicated a higher faith involvement ranking currently
than they chose for ten years ago were classified as Increased Involvement. Those who
indicated a lower ranking currently than they indicated for ten years ago were classified
as Decreased Involvement. |
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It is important to note that "involvement" is intentionally
not defined on the survey, partly because to adequately define the term in the survey
context is cumbersome, and partly to eliminate the chance that our definition might
introduce a bias or in some way influence responses. As you analyze the Faith Involvement
Indicator, keep in mind that respondents were also not asked to define what they meant by
faith involvement. Many respondents may have associated faith involvement with church
membership or participation, but this is not necessarily the case for everyone. The Ethos
research clearly identifies a significant percentage of the population which does not
associate church membership and participation with faith involvement. It is important not
to confuse faith involvement with the somewhat vague notion of "churched" versus
"unchurched." Therefore, as you interpret these percentages, remember that you
may have a significant number of households which express strong involvement with their
faith and do not actively participate or hold membership in a local church. |
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Estimated Households Likely to Be: |
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- Strongly Involved with Their Faith: Those who are likely
to express strong involvement with their faith.
- Somewhat Involved with Their Faith: Those who are likely to state that
they are somewhat involved with their faith.
- Not Involved with Their Faith: Those who are likely to state that they
are not involved with their faith.
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Estimated Households Likely to Have: |
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- Increased Their Involvement with Their Faith in the Last 10
Years: Estimates the percentage of households that are likely to indicate a
higher level of involvement with their faith now than ten years prior.
- Decreased Their Involvement with Their Faith in the Last 10 Years:
Estimates the percentage of households that are likely to indicate a lower level of
involvement with their faith now that ten years prior.
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