Gallup polls about religion and moral attitudes

just come across some nice poll data about how religiosity affects public perception of morally-loaded issues, such as stem cell research, abortion, homosexuality, etc. There are also some interesting international stuff.

1. Stem Cell Research Morally OK in Britain, Canada, and U.S.

This article indicated that stem cell research is in general deemed morally acceptable in the three countries. However, Americans are more likely than people in the other two countries to find the research unacceptable. This disparity was attributable to the varied roles of religiosity in these countries. Americans consider God to be important and go to church more often than Canadians and the British. And this central role of religion makes Americans more likely to make a connection between morality and controversial scientific/technological issues.

2. Worlds Apart: Religion in Canada, Britain, U.S.

This poll also painted a more religious public in the US. Americans not only go to church more often, but also more likely to say God is very important in their lives. Please also see a related survey: Most Britons, Canadians "Unchurched"

3. Moral issues

This poll tracks public evaluation on the state of moral values across time. In general, people are not satisfied with the current condition of moral values--more people consider it to be poor than good or excellent (a difference of 28%) in 2009. This disparity has remained since 2006. However, it should be noted that in 2009 a lot more Americans, compared with previous years, feel the condition of moral values is getting better. This poll also showed public perception of moral acceptability in relation to several social issues.