One in five concerned about moral decline

VENTURA, Calif. — Almost one out of five American adults cite a moral decline in the nation as a cause for concern, ranking it third after the war and economic issues, a Barna Research Group survey shows.

The Ventura, Calif.-based marketing research firm found that 52 percent of Americans cited the war and related fears about terrorism as the national issue of greatest concern. Thirty percent cited issues related to the economy, including its strength, taxes and the cost of living. Nineteen percent cited the moral decline of the nation, 15 percent cited unemployment and job issues and 14 percent mentioned national security.

Moral decline was defined in a number of ways, including substance abuse, crime, violence, spiritual decay, loss of family values and a general discomfort about the nation’s moral climate.