What about a division between good and evil among people who believe in religion? A new analysis by the PEW Research Centre says that about half of adults (48 per cent) in the United States believe that most things in society can be clearly divided into good and evil, while the other half (50 per cent) notes that most things in society are too complicated to be categorized in this manner.
The analysis shows that two-thirds of White Evangelical Protestants (about 64 per cent) say that most things in the society can be clearly divided into good and evil. However, it shows that 57 per cent Black Protestants notes that it is complicated to make such a division. It said that around half of Catholics (49 per cent) and White Protestants in the US who do not identify as evangelical (47 per cent) say that most things in society can be clearly divided into good and evil.
NOTHING IN PARTICULAR
Among those who identify their religion as “nothing in particular,” the analysis found that 43 per cent believed in the division of good and evil. However, only a few atheists (22 per cent) and agnostics (29 percent) say the same.
DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS
The PEW Research Centre said that about six-in-ten Republicans and independents who lean toward the Republican Party (59%) say that most things in society can be clearly divided into good and evil, compared with 38% of Democrats and Democratic leaning. White evangelical Protestants are more likely to be Republicans, while atheists and agnostics tend to align with the Democratic Party. Republican Christians are more likely than Republican “nones” to say that most things in society can be clearly divided into good and evil (63% vs. 48%). Similarly, Democratic Christians are more likely than Democratic “nones” to give that response (43% vs. 31%). Catholic Republicans are more likely than Catholic Democrats to see clear distinctions between good and evil (57% vs. 43%), a pattern that also holds true among Protestants.
