The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

State secularism high

By By Jackie Pearce, News Correspondent

Much has changed since the Puritans struck Plymouth Rock in 1620, and Massachusetts residents are disregarding more than just the goofy hats and buckled shoes, according to a recent poll.
Massachusetts, where the Puritans sought freedom from persecution, is now the third least religious state in the country, according to a Gallup poll released Jan. 28.
According to the poll, only 48 percent of Bay State residents said that religion was an important part of their daily lives ‘- the smallest fraction in the United States, behind Vermont and New Hampshire.
James O’Toole, a professor of religion at Boston College who specializes in history and American Catholicism, said this type of criticism has been voiced for years. He traced the religion versus intellect debate back to the highly publicized Scopes trial of 1926, which questioned the teaching of evolution in Tennessee.
‘I think some of it comes from the headlines on the debate over creationism and teaching Darwinism in schools,’ O’Toole said.’ ‘In those types of public displays, it’s easy to caricature religious people as being less intelligent, easier to paint these things in black and white terms.’
Susan Setta, a professor of religious studies at Northeastern, said there was ‘absolutely no data’ backing up claims that well-educated people are more inclined to dismiss religion. In fact, Setta said the wealthiest and most-educated Americans are usually devout members of religious institutions, specifically the Unitarian Universalist and Episcopal denominations.
‘There is such a prejudice [against religious people] but no basis on fact,’ Setta said.
O’Toole said ‘hot button issues,’ like abortion, tend to polarize people into these categories. Sweeping generalizations ensue, with the public viewing political groups bound with their faith, he said.
Often, society is too obsessed with the religious right, O’Toole said.’ The ‘religious left,’ those who value faith but consider themselves politically liberal, is so rarely ta`lked about that the public is inclined to think it doesn’t exist, he said.
Jeff Ralto, a sophomore business student, said his generation is more inclined to articulate their views on religious institutions.
‘I think people are less openly religious and more likely to voice their opinions on it,’ Ralto said.
Looking at the results of the Gallup poll, the waning influence of religion in New England is a contrast to the way the country started off.
‘It’s a real change in recent times because Massachusetts has always been a particularly religious area,’ O’Toole said.’
Setta said many of the devout New Englanders moved West as the ‘religious climate was changing too fast for them.’ Aside from an exodus of the most pious, Setta said the poll might have been influenced by the perspective of the questioned.’
‘A bunch of Catholics in Massachusetts may not answer the same way a Southern Baptist would,’ Setta said.’
O’Toole attributed the decreased importance of religion to socio-economic factors. Massachusetts has the fifth highest median income among states, according to 2006 US Census data.
‘People who are better off are most likely to abandon religion,’ O’Toole said.
There’s also been an evolution in the way younger people voice their religious beliefs, said Beth Meltzer, director of the NU Hillel. Meltzer said she noticed students were emphasizing their ‘spirituality’ over ties to a specific institution during a recent retreat with the Spiritual Life Center.’
‘They tend to focus more on a sense of belonging and doing good in society than on specific religion,’ Meltzer said.
NU Hillel members are frequently people seeking a Jewish community, not necessarily a religious organization, she said.
Matthew Bosch-Willett, a junior civil engineering major and the treasurer of Northeastern’s Christian Student Union, said that while his generation may not flock to organized religion, it doesn’t mean people have less faith.
‘I don’t speak for my group but on a personal level I think … our hearts are just as open to Christ,’ Bosch-Willet said.’ ‘You don’t have to come to know Christ through a particular church or religious affiliation. We seek Him out personally.’
Faith will continue to change its form in American society, O’Toole said.
‘Religious energy doesn’t die out. It will evolve but it won’t go away,’ O’Toole said. ‘American intellectuals have been predicting its death for at least 200 years. And it won’t.’

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