Belief in God is extremely strong in our society, in spite of rapid modernisation, immigration, higher standards of living and the declining influence of the Catholic Church, according to the latest Irish Times/TNS mrbi opinion poll. Some 87 per cent of those questioned responded positively when asked about the existence of a God and the figure exceeded 90 per cent for those over 35 years of age.
Such widespread belief, with its attendant moral codes, has helped to maintain a stable and cohesive society in changing times and has encouraged successive governments to ensure that the least able are provided with minimum standards of care. More importantly, perhaps, belief has provided spiritual comfort, focus and a degree of certainty in the lives of the majority of citizens. It also offers a link that transcended money.
The tsunami in Asia that killed more than 200,000 has generated public debate on the nature of our relationship with God and on why a supreme being would permit such an event. Almost two-thirds of those questioned in the poll said the natural disaster made no difference to their belief. Nearly one in five insisted their belief had been strengthened as a consequence of the tsunami. But 14 per cent had experienced the opposite effect. Those whose belief had been strengthened came predominantly from the over-50s, while the under-35s experienced negative reactions. Sociologists will, no doubt, find such material of interest.
The role of the various churches in raising funds for the victims of the tsunami has been a fine example of the altruism that underpins religion. And the spontaneous generosity of ordinary citizens in making donations to disaster relief organisations arose from the same fountainhead. While such love and compassion exists, society can only be enriched.
The gradual decline in the percentage of people identifying themselves as members of particular religions in the Census of 1991 and 2002 appears to have accelerated. And the number of atheists doubled to 7 per cent in this survey. But nearly four out of five young people believe in God and the conviction is as strongly grounded in Dublin as Munster and it crosses social boundaries.
Political parties should not need surveys like this to convince them of the importance of making space for differing religious beliefs. Supporters of the two largest parties are the most committed theists, with Fine Gael two points in front at 95 per cent. Green Party voters are the least dedicated at 71 per cent. The poll has produced an intersting, perhaps surprising, answer to the God question.