Winthrop University Student Religion Survey, 1996 - Codebook

All frequencies are raw numbers (no weights used).

1) Identification Number (LOG)

	N	Mean	Std. Deviation
Total	306	153.50	88.48

2) What is your age? (AGE)

	N	Mean	Std. Deviation
Total	305	20.50	3.45

3) What is your sex? (SEX)

	TOTAL	%
1) Male	84	27.5
2) Female	221	72.5
Missing	1
Total	305	100.0

4) What is your year in school? (YEAR)

	TOTAL	%
1) Freshman	87	28.4
2) Sophomore	91	29.7
3) Junior	43	14.1
4) Senior	77	25.2
5) Graduate student	7	2.3
9) No answer	1	0.3
Total	306	100.0

5) What is your major? (MAJOR)

	TOTAL	%
1) Sciences	34	11.1
2) Social sciences	89	29.1
3) Humanities	36	11.8
4) Arts	18	5.9
5) Education	87	28.4
6) Business	16	5.2
8) Other, undecided	25	8.2
9) No answer	1	0.3
Total	306	100.0

6) Would you say you are white, African American/Black, Native American, or something else? (ETH)

	TOTAL	%
1) White	226	73.9
2) Black	75	24.5
3) Other	2	0.7
9) No answer	3	1.0
Total	306	100.0

7) What is your home state? (STATE)

	TOTAL	%
1) South Carolina	245	80.1
2) Other Southern state	37	12.1
3) Non-Southern state	21	6.9
4) Does not reside in US	2	0.7
9) No answer	1	0.3
Total	306	100.0

8) What is the population of the town you live in? (TOWN)

	TOTAL	%
1) Fewer than 2,500	38	12.5
2) 2,500 to 10,000	77	25.2
3) 10,000 to 25,000	48	15.7
4) 25,000 to 100,000	100	32.8
5) 100,000 to 1 million	36	11.8
6) More than 1 million	1	0.3
9) No answer	5	1.6
Missing	1
Total	305	100.0

9) Which church or denomination do you prefer, if any? (RELIGION)

	TOTAL	%
1) Conservative Protestant	127	41.5
2) Moderate Protestant	66	21.6
3) Liberal Protestant	42	13.7
4) Catholic/Orthodox Christian	28	9.2
6) Other	7	2.3
8) None	23	7.5
9) No answer	13	4.2
Total	306	100.0

10) How often do you attend religious services? (ATTEND)

	TOTAL	%
1) Never or almost never	44	14.5
2) A few times a year	72	23.7
3) At least once a month	31	10.2
4) 1-3 times per month	55	18.1
5) Weekly	80	26.3
6) More than once a week	22	7.2
Missing	2
Total	304	100.0

11) Do you believe in God? (GOD)

	TOTAL	%
1) I do not believe in the existence of a god.	6	2.0
2) I do not know if a god exists.	18	6.0
3) I think that God exists, but I am not always certain.	10	3.3
4) I think that God exists, and I am usually certain of this.	39	12.9
5) I am certain that God exists.	221	73.2
9) Other	8	2.6
Missing	4
Total	302	100.0

12) What about the nature of the Bible? Which of the following statements comes closest to your beliefs about the Bible? (BIBLE)

	TOTAL	%
1) The Bible is the word of God and it means what it says. It should be taken literally, word-for-word, on all subjects.	68	23.2
2) The Bible is the word of God and is perfectly true, but is should not be taken literally, word-for-word. We must interpret its meaning.	113	38.6
3) The Bible is the inspired word of God, but it was written by men and contains some human errors.	72	24.6
4) The Bible is an ancient book of history and legends. God had nothing to do with it.	22	7.5
9) I am unsure on this.	18	6.1
Missing	13
Total	293	100.0

13) How important would you say religion is in your life? (RELIMP)

	TOTAL	%
1) Extremely important	100	33.3
2) Very important	96	32.0
3) Somewhat important	57	19.0
4) Slightly important	21	7.0
5) Not important at all	18	6.0
9) Unsure	8	2.7
Missing	6
Total	300	100.0

14) In your opinion, does the Devil actually exist? (DEVIL)

	TOTAL	%
1) I do not believe in the existence of the Devil	28	9.3
2) I do not know if the Devil exists	44	14.6
3) I think that the Devil exists, but I am not always certain	28	9.3
4) I think that the Devil exists, and I am usually certain of this	36	11.9
5) I am certain that the Devil exists	158	52.3
9) Other	8	2.6
Missing	4
Total	302	100.0

15) Do there exist heavenly 'guardian angels' who can help a person in a time of need? (ANGELS)

	TOTAL	%
1) I do not believe in the existence of guardian angels.	19	6.4
2) I do not know if guardian angels exist	48	16.1
3) I think that guardian angels exist, but I am not always certain	48	16.1
4) I think that guardian angels exist, and I am usually certain	47	15.7
5) I am certain that guardian angels exist	133	44.5
9) Other	4	1.3
Missing	7
Total	299	100.0

16) ASKED OF RESPONDENTS WHO BELIEVE A GOD EXISTS: I believe God is: (JUDGE)

	TOTAL	%
1) Judgmental	1	0.4
2) Forgiving	120	43.5
3) Both judgmental and forgiving	131	47.5
4) Neither judgmental nor forgiving	8	2.9
9) Other	16	5.8
Missing	30
Total	276	100.0

17) ASKED OF RESPONDENTS WHO BELIEVE THAT A GOD EXISTS: I believe God is: (GODSEX)

	TOTAL	%
1) Masculine	109	39.8
3) Both masculine and feminine	41	15.0
4) Neither masculine nor feminine	93	33.9
9) Other	31	11.3
Missing	32
Total	274	100.0

18) Do you believe in using astrology to help you make decisions? (ASTROL)

	TOTAL	%
1) Strongly believe	2	0.7
2) Believe	16	5.3
3) Unsure	73	24.0
4) Disbelieve	92	30.3
5) Strongly disbelieve	121	39.8
Missing	2
Total	304	100.0

19) Do 'mediums' have the power to speak with the spirits of deceased people, or to act as voices for them? (MEDIUMS)

	TOTAL	%
1) Yes, they do.	14	4.6
2) Most cannot, but some of them can.	50	16.4
3) No, they are all phonies.	133	43.6
9) Unsure	108	35.4
Missing	1
Total	305	100.0

20) Is there 'black magic' in the world that can be used for evil purposes? (BMAGIC)

	TOTAL	%
1) Definitely yes	45	14.9
2) Probably yes	77	25.4
3) Unsure	96	31.7
4) Probably not	48	15.8
5) Definitely not	37	12.2
Missing	3
Total	303	100.0

21) Is there 'white magic' in the world that can be used for good purposes? (WMAGIC)

	TOTAL	%
1) Definitely yes	18	6.0
2) Probably yes	50	16.6
3) Unsure	130	43.0
4) Probably not	54	17.9
5) Definitely not	50	16.6
Missing	4
Total	302	100.0

22) Are some people gifted by God with the ability to heal afflicted people by touch? (HEAL)

	TOTAL	%
1) Definitely yes	37	12.1
2) Probably yes	51	16.7
3) Unsure	96	31.5
4) Probably not	69	22.6
5) Definitely not	52	17.0
Missing	1
Total	305	100.0

23) Do you believe in reincarnation (returning to earth in another form after you die)? (REINCARN)

	TOTAL	%
1) Definitely yes	19	6.2
2) Probably yes	40	13.1
3) Unsure	54	17.6
4) Probably not	59	19.3
5) Definitely not	134	43.8
Total	306	100.0

24) Does God give some people the gift of speaking in unknown tongues? (TONGUES)

	TOTAL	%
1) Definitely yes	62	20.3
2) Probably yes	59	19.3
3) Unsure	99	32.5
4) Probably not	52	17.0
5) Definitely not	33	10.8
Missing	1
Total	305	100.0

25) Do you believe that supernatural miracles occur in the world today? (MIRACLES)

	TOTAL	%
1) Definitely yes	142	46.4
2) Probably yes	113	36.9
3) Unsure	32	10.5
4) Probably not	9	2.9
5) Definitely not	10	3.3
Total	306	100.0

26) In your opinion, has the earth been visited by intelligent beings from other planets? (UFOS)

	TOTAL	%
1) Definitely yes	20	6.6
2) Probably yes	69	22.8
3) Unsure	81	26.8
4) Probably not	73	24.2
5) Definitely not	59	19.5
Missing	4
Total	302	100.0

27) ASKED ONLY OF RESPONDENTS WHO ARE UNSURE OR WHO DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE EARTH HAS BEEN VISITED BY INTELLIGENT BEINGS FROM OTHER PLANETS: If you do not believe the earth has been visited by intelligent beings from other planets, do you believe there is intelligent life on other planets? (ETLIFE)

	TOTAL	%
1) Definitely yes	9	4.2
2) Probably yes	63	29.2
3) Unsure	92	42.6
4) Probably not	36	16.7
5) Definitely not	16	7.4
Missing	90
Total	216	100.0

28) Have you ever kept from doing something illegal or immoral, because you were afraid of being punished by God? (PUNISHED)

	TOTAL	%
1) Definitely yes	125	43.1
2) Probably yes	70	24.1
3) Unsure	13	4.5
4) Probably not	41	14.1
5) Definitely not	41	14.1
Missing	16
Total	290	100.0

29) In your opinion, did human beings evolve from earlier species of animals? (EVOLVE)

	TOTAL	%
1) Definitely yes	37	12.6
2) Probably yes	62	21.2
3) Unsure	53	18.1
4) Probably not	33	11.3
5) Definitely not	108	36.9
Missing	13
Total	293	100.0

30) ASKED ONLY OF RESPONDENTS THAT BELIEVE HUMAN BEINGS EVOLVED FROM EARLIER SPECIES OF ANIMALS: In your opinion, did God direct human evolution? (GODEVOL)

	TOTAL	%
1) Definitely yes	25	27.2
2) Probably yes	31	33.7
3) Unsure	13	14.1
4) Probably not	11	12.0
5) Definitely not	12	13.0
Missing	214
Total	92	100.0

31) There is controversy about whether the biological theory of evolution, or the biblical view of creation (called 'creationism'), should be taught in public schools. Which do you think should be taught? (TEACHEVL)

	TOTAL	%
1) Only evolution	33	11.3
2) Only creationism	28	9.6
3) Both	201	68.8
4) Neither	30	10.3
Missing	14
Total	292	100.0

32) Should it be legal for a woman to have an abortion, if she is pregnant but does not want to have a child right now? (ABORT)

	TOTAL	%
1) Definitely yes	121	40.6
2) Probably yes	37	12.4
3) Unsure	36	12.1
4) Probably not	27	9.1
5) Definitely not	77	25.8
Missing	8
Total	298	100.0

33) Should it be legal for a woman to have an abortion if she became pregnant as the result of a rape? (ABRAPE)

	TOTAL	%
1) Definitely yes	178	58.7
2) Probably yes	56	18.5
3) Unsure	25	8.3
4) Probably not	14	4.6
5) Definitely not	30	9.9
Missing	3
Total	303	100.0

34) A group of churches near Winthrop have formed a Cooperative Campus Ministry. If a church that featured the handling of snakes in its services asked to join the CCM, should it be allowed to do so? (CCM)

	TOTAL	%
1) Definitely yes	53	17.6
2) Probably yes	51	16.9
3) Unsure	85	28.2
4) Probably not	49	16.3
5) Definitely not	63	20.9
Missing	5
Total	301	100.0

35) Which of the following statements best fits your feelings about laws regarding pornography (sexually explicit literature and films)? (PORN)

	TOTAL	%
1) It should be legal to sell pornography to anyone.	11	3.7
2) It should be legal to sell pornography to anyone 18 or older.	168	56.0
3) It should be illegal to sell pornography to people of any age.	85	28.3
9) Unsure	36	12.0
Missing	6
Total	300	100.0

36) Recently, groups of high school and college students have been holding prayer meetings at their schools' flag poles before school. Do you approve of such meetings? (FLAGMEET)

	TOTAL	%
1) Definitely yes	189	62.8
2) Probably yes	67	22.3
3) Unsure	33	11.0
4) Probably not	7	2.3
5) Definitely not	5	1.7
Missing	5
Total	301	100.0

37) Would you be more or less likely to vote for a candidate for public office if you found out the person was an atheist? (ATHIEST)

	TOTAL	%
1) Much more likely	4	1.3
2) Somewhat more likely	4	1.3
3) Unsure or no difference	110	36.8
4) Somewhat less likely	44	14.7
5) Much less likely	137	45.8
Missing	7
Total	299	100.0

38) Is it wrong for two unmarried people to engage in sex? (PRESEX)

	TOTAL	%
1) Yes, it is always wrong.	116	38.8
2) It is usually wrong (but not always).	29	9.7
3) It is only sometimes wrong.	31	10.4
4) It is not wrong.	82	27.4
9) Unsure or no opinion	41	13.7
Missing	7
Total	299	100.0

39) Should public schools begin the day with a prayer? (PRAYER)

	TOTAL	%
1) Definitely yes	83	27.8
2) Probably yes	53	17.7
3) Unsure	58	19.4
4) Probably not	47	15.7
5) Definitely not	58	19.4
Missing	7
Total	299	100.0

40) If you had a friend who you found practiced a religion very different from yours, how would this affect your feelings toward the person? (DIFREL)

	TOTAL	%
1) I would feel no differently towards the person.	244	81.1
2) I might feel a little less friendly towards the person.	23	7.6
3) I would definitely feel less friendly toward the person.	3	1.0
4) I could not stay close friends with the person.	4	1.3
9) Unsure, no opinion	27	9.0
Missing	5
Total	301	100.0

41) Do you approve of the 'blue laws' in South Carolina (laws that forbid things like the sale of alcohol on Sundays)? (BLUELAWS)

	TOTAL	%
1) Definitely yes	95	31.5
2) Probably yes	45	14.9
3) Unsure	32	10.6
4) Probably not	47	15.6
5) Definitely not	83	27.5
Missing	4
Total	302	100.0

42) Do you think that the United States, as a nation, has a special relationship with God? (USGOD)

	TOTAL	%
1) Definitely yes	27	9.1
2) Probably yes	56	18.8
3) Unsure	91	30.5
4) Probably not	73	24.5
5) Definitely not	51	17.1
Missing	8
Total	298	100.0

43) Do you consider the U.S. flag to be sacred? (FLAG)

	TOTAL	%
1) Definitely yes	94	32.0
2) Probably yes	74	25.2
3) Unsure	42	14.3
4) Probably not	37	12.6
5) Definitely not	47	16.0
Missing	12
Total	294	100.0

44) Would you say that your religion is the one true faith, or that no religion is the one true faith? (TRUEONE)

	TOTAL	%
1) My religion definitely is the one true faith	57	19.4
2) I think my religion is the one true faith	28	9.5
3) I am not sure about this	71	24.1
4) I think there is no one true faith	110	37.4
5) I know there is no one true faith	28	9.5
Missing	12
Total	294	100.0

45) In your opinion, should there be a strict separation of church and government in the U.S.? (SEPARATE)

	TOTAL	%
1) Definitely yes	92	30.9
2) Probably yes	68	22.8
3) Unsure	64	21.5
4) Probably not	46	15.4
5) Definitely not	28	9.4
Missing	8
Total	298	100.0

46) Would you say the strongest influences on your religious beliefs have been your parents, or have your parents not been major influences? (PARENTS)

	TOTAL	%
1) My parents have been the strongest influence.	138	46.3
2) My parents have been a moderate influence.	84	28.2
3) My parents have been a minor influence.	30	10.1
4) My parents have been a very minor influence.	17	5.7
5) My parents have had little or no influence.	29	9.7
Missing	8
Total	298	100.0

47) What is your age?(Recoded for use with on-line analysis) (I-AGE)

	TOTAL	%
1) Ages 17 to 18	78	25.6
2) Ages 19 to 21	159	52.1
3) Ages 22 to 25	48	15.7
4) Age 26 and older	20	6.6
Missing	1
Total	305	100.0

48) What is your sex? (For use with on-line analysis.) (I-SEX)

	TOTAL	%
1) Male	84	27.5
2) Female	221	72.5
Missing	1
Total	305	100.0

49) Would you say you are white, African American/Black, Native American, or something else? (Recoded for use with on-line analysis.) (I-RACE)

	TOTAL	%
1) White	226	75.1
2) Black	75	24.9
Missing	5
Total	301	100.0

50) Which church or denomination do you prefer, if any? (Recoded for use with on-line analysis.) (I-RELIGION)

	TOTAL	%
1) Conservative Protestant	127	41.5
2) Moderate Protestant	66	21.6
3) Liberal Protestant	42	13.7
4) Catholic	28	9.2
5) All others	43	14.1
Total	306	100.0