Americans Continue to Shift Left on Key Moral Issues

[jojom]

GOOD FOR US! and on almost all counts.​

Most surprising is the huge change in attitude toward polygamy.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

GOOD FOR US! and on almost all counts.​

Most surprising is the huge change in attitude toward polygamy.

percentage increase isn't really very important, especially when: 1) the initial number is low, and 2) when the margin of error is considered. Typical surveys like this generally have something around 4 points +/- (could be as little as about 3, or as much as about 5, depending on how the survey was conducted, etc), so the original measure was something between 3 and 11 percent, and the second between 12 and 20 percent. Because of the margin of error, the increase may or may not be a "huge" change.

Still, for many people I've talked with over the past year, as the same-sex marriage issue moved along, adding polygamy was not really much of a stretch. Most were still against that, but a surprising number were in favor.

 

[Riverwolf]

I'm disturbed by the changes in the attitudes towards suicide and clothes made of animal fur (assuming other options are easily, if not more cheaply, available), but otherwise I'm rather pleased by even this small increase of tolerance. Every little bit helps.

 

[Willamena]

Is there a "left" of moral issues, or are you referring to left moral issues?

 

[Father Heathen]

What is meant by "suicide"? Medically assisted euthanasia for the terminally ill who request it?

Personally I think fur/pelts are okay if the animal was also killed for food. But purely for vanity and fashion? Unethical.

 

[lostwanderingsoul]

people are becoming less moral, which is no big surprise. look at the filth on TV books, and the internet. it all reflects a lack of faith in religion

 

[jojom]

people are becoming less moral, which is no big surprise. look at the filth on TV books, and the internet. it all reflects a lack of faith in religion

I'd bet good money this "filth" you mention is no more than your prudery speaking; your uncomfortability with sexuality and nudity. That you evidently feel one can't be sexual and enjoy nudity while being member in good standing in a religion is a bit simpleminded. Or am I mistaken, and you are comfortable with sexuality and nudity?


.

 

[Baladas]

people are becoming less moral, which is no big surprise. look at the filth on TV books, and the internet. it all reflects a lack of faith in religion

I believe you mean "my personal interpenetration of Christianity".

 

[Baladas]

GOOD FOR US! and on almost all counts.​

Most surprising is the huge change in attitude toward polygamy.

Good. I am happy with almost everything here, save for the fur...assuming that the "suicide" is doctor assisted for terminal patient.

 

[Zardoz]

Don't just look at the change % but the base % as well. 16% for Polygamy is still a whopping 84% against.

The issue of stem cell research has much more impact on society as a whole, in health/cure issues.

Fur is statistically moot, at 2% change, that's 'noise'.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Where are the up and down statistics?

 

[Father Heathen]

people are becoming less moral,

No, they're becoming more educated and cultured. Also, people are still moral. They're just adopting a more rational and compassionate form of morality rather than one based on the arbitrary nonsense of ancient primitives.

which is no big surprise. look at the filth on TV books, and the internet. it all reflects a lack of faith in religion

By what critera do you designate something as "filth"?

 

[dust1n]

Less murder, less crime, less war, less disease, completely killed small pox, etc. Never been more evil.

 

[Father Heathen]

Less murder, less crime, less war, less disease, completely killed small pox, etc. Never been more evil.

More freedom, more rights, more equality, and more access to communication and information. It says a lot about the groups who regard such developments as "immoral".

 

[dust1n]

More freedom, more rights, more equality, and more access to communication and information. It says a lot about the groups who regard such developments as "immoral".

Great access to transportation. Longer life expectancy. Great wealth for individuals. Education for children. Indeed. I guess with all the incredibly negative stuff that gets focused on in the world, no one ever takes the time to actually think about how much worse a lot of these things were our ancestors.

 

[leibowde84]

people are becoming less moral, which is no big surprise. look at the filth on TV books, and the internet. it all reflects a lack of faith in religion

Or, maybe, that the "morals" dictated by religious beliefs have been found to be often discriminatory in nature or flat out incorrect. I understand that because of your beliefs, you are biased against holding this view, but it is certainly possible. And, the more time goes by, the evidence is pointing more and more this way.

 

[Father Heathen]

Or, maybe, that the "morals" dictated by religious beliefs have been found to be often discriminatory in nature or flat out incorrect. I understand that because of your beliefs, you are biased against holding this view, but it is certainly possible. And, the more time goes by, the evidence is pointing more and more this way.

I think that many religious fundamentalists struggle with the reality that we no longer live in the dark ages, nor are we ever returning.

 

[leibowde84]

I think that many religious fundamentalists struggle with the reality that we no longer live in the dark ages, nor are we ever returning.

Anyone who tried to make us "turn-back" deserves a whole heap of ridicule, imho.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Why is the percentage change in those who find polygamy and adultery morally acceptable deemed a shift to the left?

 

[Revoltingest]

More freedom, more rights, more equality, and more access to communication and information.....

We're really go'n down the tubes.
Do you suppose that removing the 10 Commandments from public buildings is what lead to our downfall?