July 7, 2011
A global Ipsos MORI survey polled 18,000 people in 24 countries around the world and found that 70 percent of those polled practiced a religion. Interestingly, as reported in The Christian Post, Muslim-majority countries were more likely to say that religion was important to them than were those in Christian-majority countries. Almost all those with a religion in Muslim countries said their religion was important in their lives, while only 66 percent of those with a religion in Christian countries said the same. Those in Muslim countries are also much more likely to say their religion is the only way to salvation and that their religion was the main reason they give to people in need.
Also, 73 percent of young adults (under age 35) surveyed in the poll said religion was important to them. A third of all respondents said they had almost no or no friends who did not practice their same religion, and another third said at least half their friends were of different faiths. More than 60 percent said religion “provides common values and ethical foundations that diverse societies need to thrive in the 21st century.”
