Churches Are Generally Ignored in Contemporary Voluntary Action Research: Causes and Consequences

Abstract

Dr. Smith contends that major national sample surveys of the United States that provide 'aided-recall' lists of types of voluntary almost invariably omit churches as a type of voluntary group (p. 297). He cites as examples the 1967 Verba/Nie Participation study and the 1972-1980 General Social Surveys. Dr. Smith is misleading in regard to the General Social Survey since the list we use has always included O. Church-affiliated groups. In fact, this has been by far the most common group affiliation selected by respondents. In addition, I wonder if the ommission of is as wide-spread as Dr. Smith implies. I note that the American national election studies included Church or Religious Groups both times it asked a general membership item in 1952 and in 1972. Similarly, AIP0625(3/1960) both include references to religious groups in their general question of memberships in community organizations or groups and have two separate items on church attendance.