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Study shows many coeds have strong spirituality; 8 of 10 believe in God

Contrary to what many think, today's college campuses are hotbeds of religiosity and prayer, according to the Higher Education Research Institute at the University of California.

A survey of 112,232 current freshmen attending 236 colleges and universities (18 percent of them connected with religions) sponsored by the institute finds 8 out of 10 say they attend religious services, believe in God, and are interested in spirituality.

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Alexander Astin, who headed the survey, said religious affiliation in mainstream religions is declining while spirituality is increasing. The study differentiated spirituality from religious commitment to a particular belief. Spirituality was defined as associated with spiritual quest, an ethic of caring, a compassionate self-concept, and an ecumenical world view.

He said students broke down into two "clear-cut religious clusters" at opposite ends of the spectrum. One included religions such as Mormons, Seventh-day Adventists, Baptists, and "other Christians," all of whom evinced little religious skepticism but lively religious engagement. Skepticism was defined as including beliefs such as the universe arose by chance, science eventually will explain everything, and disbelief in life after death. The other cluster included Unitarians, Episcopalians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and Eastern Orthodox believers, who scored high on charitable involvement but showed significantly more skepticism about religion.

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Students who say they are regularly engaged in religious practices, such as attending church services, are three times more likely to be politically conservative than liberal. And religious skeptics are more likely to be liberal. Those who go regularly to church are much less likely to believe that abortion should be legal, that sex out of marriage is permissible, that gays should be married, or that marijuana should be legalized. Forty-four percent of those who are highly engaged in their religions favor increased military spending, compared with 30 percent who are less involved in religious practices.

The survey's analysts said that more spiritual and religious students are physically healthier and tend to have better eating habits and do not smoke. But they reported being no more psychologically healthy than other students.

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