Why doesn't religion rank higher among sources of meaning?

[guillaumeb]

12. Surveys can be written to show many things.

Explaining the significant difference between 20% and 36% when asked essentially the same question.


And considering that we live in families, and work to survive, it is not surprising.

And, assuming that you read the article, there was this, which you did not feel was important to add:

Issues related to question interpretation are common in the research field, Smith said, noting "no survey question is really immune from that."
But in the study of meaning and identity, interpretive issues don't end with word definitions, especially when it comes to faith.
Religion exerts a more subtle influence on people's lives than parenthood or professional work, as Routledge noted. People may not recognize how faith informs other aspects of their lives even when a religion researcher would argue it does.

I understand the need of some to find validation for their own beliefs and positions. We all tend to behave this way.