A Survey of Values of American Theological Students

Abstract

This report's findings from an extensive mail survey of the values of 765 Catholic and Protestant theological students at fifteen representative seminaries. Values were assessed by the Polyphasic Values Inventory, which consists of twenty mutliple-choice questions over selected philosophical, political, economic, educational, social, personal-moral, and religious areas of value difference. Responses are organized on a liberal-conservative continuum. Each question is treated as a separate piece of information, and no total score is awarded respondents, who remain anonymous. A common core of values held by the vast majority of the participants was identified. Generally, this can be described as a rather strong commitment to American-style democracy with its emphasis on private initiative, racial tolerance, and moral responsibility. Within this framework, however, there were many areas of widespread disagreement, so it would be an error to speak categorically about the values of the population under study. This is particularly true with respect to certain religious doctrines traditionally associated with Christianity.