But I was particularly interested in the difference in view between Catholics who attend Mass every Sunday and those who don't. Unfortunately, the survey release only compared those groups among white Catholics.
So I asked Pew for practicing vs. non-practicing numbers among all Catholic Americans, not just whites. Here's what Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life senior researcher Greg Smith came up with for me:
Among all Catholics who attend church at least weekly, 36 percent favored allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry legally in 2008/2009, while 52 percent expressed opposition. In 2010 among this group, support for gay marriage stands at 35 percent, and opposition at 53 percent.
Among all Catholics who attend church less often, 47 percent favored allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry legally in 2008/2009, while 40 percent expressed opposition. In 2010 among this group, support for gay marriage stands at 53 percent, and opposition at 34 percent.
The small changes between 2008/2009 and 2010 among Catholics who attend church weekly are NOT statistically significant. However, the changes between 2008/2009 and 2010 among Catholics who attend church less often ARE statistically significant.
So what is it that is keeping practicing Catholics' view on same-sex marriage stable, in sharp contrast with their non-practicing brethren? Are they hearing homilies on it? More likely to take Catholic periodicals writing about it? Naturally more conservative than less devotional Catholics?
What do you think?
