Organized religion poorly perceived by public

MINNEAPOLIS — A survey that tests views on religion has found that the public’s perception of organized religion is at an all-time low.

The most recent reading of the Gallup Index of Leading Religious Indicators is the most negative since the index began in 1940. To compile the index, researchers survey American adults throughout the year.

Last year only 52 percent of Americans gave clergy either very high or high marks on their ethical standards, compared to 64 percent the previous year. Researchers said the low reading is due in part to the Catholic Church’s ongoing sex abuse scandal.

The index also showed a sharp decline in the confidence Americans have in organized religion. While in 2001 60 percent of Americans said they had a “great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in organized religion, in 2002, that number had declined to only 45 percent.