A majority of college students do not find their religious beliefs affected by higher education, but about 20 percent have reported that a college education has definitely caused them to question the fixed religious beliefs that they had held at the time they entered college, it was revealed here today after a survey of students at Brooklyn College.
The college, part of the City University of New York, has a majority of students who are Jewish. Of the 2,471 students polled in the survey, 76 percent were Jewish, 11 percent Catholic and 2 percent Protestant. The total undergraduate, full-time enrollment at the college is about 10,000.
The survey had been organized by Herbert H. Stroup, dean of students, conducted by outstanding students who had previous experience in doing surveys on education, style of life and religion, and was compiled by Prof. Archie MacGregor, assistant dean of students. The results showed:
1. More than 75 of those interviewed said their college education has not affected their concern with religious questions. However, 20 percent reported that their college education had definitely caused them to question the fixed religious beliefs that they had held upon entering college and, within this group, “the nature and existence of God was found to be the largest matter of concern.”
2. No increased concern with religious questions had been found among 84.7 percent of the Jewish students questioned, 55.7 percent of the Protestants, and 51.9 percent of the Catholics.
3. Questions relating to the effects of religion on dating and marriage established that, while the majority of students would date someone outside their own religion, less than half had ever done so. More than 86 percent said they would not convert to the religion of their mates.
Prof. MacGregor said the figures showed that 74 percent of the students queried favored the giving of a course on comparative religion at Brooklyn College, and 59 percent said they would take such a course if it was offered. Less than 25 percent of the students polled said that their religious beliefs or philosophies had had “very much” influence on such matters as “cheating and social activities.”
Generally, Prof. MacGregor said, the survey showed that, as a student’s academic average increased, the likelihood of his having any fixed religious beliefs diminished.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
