I look at this study with a good deal of skepticism. So many contributing
factors have changed since the original survey that a direct comparison
of the results is not, IMHO, possible.
Some of these factors:
1. The ethnic mix of the earlier survey is certainly much more tilted
towards people of European stock -- with an attendant long history of
Christianity.
2. As Noll points out, in THE SCANDAL OF THE EVANGELICAL MIND, there has
been a long-standing tendency for the more conservative Christian bodies
to steer their young folk away from scientific careers. This was not true
for the earlier survey.
3. The prevailing sentiment of earlier times was more "don't rock the
boat" than it seems to be today (opinion, of course). That might have led
some of the earlier respondents to "vote for God" even if they held a
contrary opinion.
4. There are other factors of course -- these were three that came to
mind as I read the thread. I suspect #2 might be the most influential
factor. Research of this type in incredibly difficult to do!
Cheers
Burgy (ex-Market Researcher, among other things)
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