According to a new study by the Pew Research Center, American Catholics are more progressive than their religion's social teaching would make you believe. Read the full transcript below.
Subscribe to our channel! [ Ссылка ]
ThinkProgress Video shows you the news you can't see in print. With unique perspectives, in-depth analysis, and creative visual explainers, we bring you the real stories shaping our world. For more, check out [ Ссылка ].
Check more of our videos: [ Ссылка ]
Follow ThinkProgress on Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
And on Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
TRANSCRIPT
September 9, 2015
IGOR VOLSKY: Pope Francis has shaken-up Catholic traditions with his new, more progressive approach to theology. But as he embarks on his first visit to America, the beliefs of most American Catholics may come as a shock to the Holy Father.
When the Pew Research Center asked the largest religious group in the United States whether contraception or homosexual behaviors is sinful, Catholics were as or even more likely than the general population to say no. And though 57% of Catholics said that abortion is sinful, less than half believe that it’s essential to their religious identity.
Here is the reason behind this progressive bend:
JACK JENKINS, ThinkProgress: Catholic social teaching prohibits same-sex marriage and abortion, but it’s actually pretty progressive on a whole host of issues like the economy and the environment. So a lot of Catholics just apply Jesus Christ’s inclusive words to sex and sexuality, regardless of whether the Church agrees with them.
IGOR VOLSKY: And Catholics are not alone: Unitarian Universalists, Evangelical Lutherans, Presbyterians, Episcopalians are all tipping the scale towards more accepting beliefs. Now, that's something we can all celebrate.
