Beliefnet's politics and religion survey

Surveys like this are almost invariably moronic. This one was no exception. One question asks which of the Democratic candidates I "prefer". They magnanimously included a box for "undecided", but that wasn't accurate. I decided long ago that I could not consider supporting any of them. There being no box marked "none", I skipped the question. When I tried to sign off, I got a snotty message directing me back to the Democrats and insisting that an answer to this question was "required." Since I could give no accurate answer, I exited. If they want me, they can come and get me.

It was a game survey, I thought. But I couldn't find where '9/11' was in any of the responses......:(

What were we supposed to do with that question about "illegal immigration"?

I answered it in the middle, because I have no idea whether the question advocated deporting all illegal immigrants or trying to offer them some form of legal status. Yet Lord knows neither I (on one side) or most CCers (on the other side) have middling feelings on the question ...

Yep. Moronic survey. Bleah. I bagged it, too.
And they don't recognize Orthodox as a Christian "group"? We're still just "other Christians" to them? Bah.

you folks are reading way too much into this survey. from your comments its evident that most have not ever constructed an online survey.
yes there are flaws in it but it is not a statistically valid survey. it is a quick check of the pulse of those who have answered the questions. Don't read too much into the questions. just answer to the best of your ability. and if it asks for undecided just assume that means none.

It this were to be a statistically valid survey you would have received an email or telephone based upon data you provided elsewhere

I design and conduct online surveys all the time Peterk. And this one is crap.

Hmmm, Big brother Rupert wants to target our markets eh?

Studying C.S.has made me much too skeptical of these gigantor database repositories.
If only I could go back to being that trusting soul ... ;)

but I'll look.

I didn't complete the survey because I'm not conservative, moderate, or liberal. I don't expect us fringe libertarians to get a line to ourselves, but at least gives us 'other' or make the question optional.

Hostile crowd on this one C.C.
I had difficulty answering many of the questions probably because surveys don't let a person expain his/her answer.
On immigration for example--it's important but the why is even more important. And abortion is important but the how to stop it is more important and the why we're faced with this issue is even more important than the how or maybe they are so tied together that to simply say yeah it's important doesn't seem right. And the fact that 11 million are dying a year of starvation makes the abortion issue a little less glaring. But how can we really say--oh not enough babies are being killed so I don't care any more? And is their religion important when looking at a candidate--that depends on how it informs them. Ending the war--duh. Winning--what is winning? Killing all the bad guys? Or bringing stability to a region we helped to make unstable? We were probably wrong to go in but we'll be even more wrong if we don't leave it more peaceful and more safe then when we went in. If that's the definition of winning then of course. If it's not then I probably need some convincing.
Maybe this was a "bad" survey because all surveys are bad--they try to make things too easy, too formula-ic (I know that's not a word but the point is still valid!), too removed. These issues are not removed and there really are no easy answers and probably only a few I really want to hear.

Hmm, methinks this group needs to lighten up. Perhaps a disclaimer reading "For Entertainment Purposes Only" should be included.

I answered "not at all important" to most of the "political" issues listed, because I see most of them as cultural, not political. "Cleaning up government" was a notable exception, and the only one I listed as "most important."

But I couldn't find a link to the results. Rod, can you help? I'm especially curious about how the "religious leaders" question correlated with various responses. But where was Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the list? ;-)

I would like to know when the results of the survey will be published. How long, O Lord, how long must we wait to find out what B'net members think?

Tried to post this earlier but perhaps the URLS got me "spammed" out?

RE: "I hope I'm not pandering to the crowd when I say that this blog really has some smart readers and commentators"

Flattery will get you nowhere! (however since my response doesn't belong in the flag thread, perhaps I may post it here?) You may like to listen in to podcasts of last week's BBC Radio 3 series "The Essay" on Augustine (part of their "Greek and Latin Voices" focus)

1/4. Maria Wyke www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/theessay/pip/ovpy4?focuswin

The Education of a Latinist - Augustine's penetratingly modern ideas about the teaching of classics to children.

2/4 Dr Rowan Williams www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/theessay/pip/e0von/

Augustine the teacher of the inner life - reflections on some of the aspects of Augustine's life and work which continue to move and engage the reader. (Texts read in this programme "Confessions Book 10, Chapter 8, Paragraphs 14 & 38")

3/4: Professor Gillian Clark www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/theessay/pip/tzs1y/

What Augustine didn't say. She explores the doctrine of the Just War, the idea that sex is sinful and the famous plea of 'give me chastity but not yet'. (Texts read in this programme "City of God Book 4 chapters 4 and 14: Sermon 224.3")

4/4 : Dr James J O'Donnell www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/theessay/pip/1ihcw/

One of Augustine's most respected biographers puts Augustine's life in context. (Texts read in this programme "Confessions Book 1, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1; Reconsiderations, preface and recalling of Confessions")

Now when the aspirants to the presidential laurel leaves begin to talk this intelligently maybe we can have a real debate, otherwise the whole exercise of the political will of the citizenry resembles more closely a modern version of a gladiator conquest.