It turns out that the World Values Survey has a decent web interface, rather like the GSS. As an exercise I thought I would compare 4 nations when it came to religious attitudes, the United States, Sweden, South Korea and Japan. The United States because most readers are American. Sweden because it is the apotheosis of European secularity. Japan because it is generally presumed to be an apathetic non-Western nation when it comes to religion. And South Korea, which sends more Christianity missionaries than any nation aside from the United States. The data for South Korea are usually a revelation for Americans, as we are conditioned by the dominant role of conservative Protestantism among our own ethnic Korean population, it is somewhat of a surprise when digging into the data to note that Korea is a much more secular nation than the United States.
BASE=4531 Weight [with split ups] | Country/region | |||||
Total | Japan | Republic of Korea | Sweden | United States | ||
Religious person | A religious person | 44.9 % | 26.5 % | 30.9 % | 38.9 % | 82.5 % |
Not a religious person | 41.4 % | 59.7 % | 37.7 % | 54.4 % | 16.0 % | |
A convinced atheist | 13.7 % | 13.8 % | 31.4 % | 6.7 % | 1.4 % | |
Total | 4531 (100%) | 1186 (100%) | 1198 (100%) | 968 (100%) | 1180 (100%) |
BASE=4586 Weight [with split ups] | Country/region | |||||
Total | Japan | Republic of Korea | Sweden | United States | ||
How important is God in your life | Not at all important | 13.7 % | 12.6 % | 12.2 % | 28.9 % | 3.7 % |
2 | 7.6 % | 9.8 % | 8.1 % | 11.4 % | 1.7 % | |
3 | 9.1 % | 13.1 % | 10.6 % | 11.0 % | 2.1 % | |
4 | 4.9 % | 3.7 % | 7.0 % | 7.7 % | 1.8 % | |
5 | 11.2 % | 11.6 % | 17.2 % | 12.2 % | 3.8 % | |
6 | 10.1 % | 21.6 % | 8.1 % | 6.1 % | 3.9 % | |
7 | 7.2 % | 9.2 % | 7.5 % | 5.6 % | 6.1 % | |
8 | 7.6 % | 8.7 % | 7.3 % | 5.4 % | 8.6 % | |
9 | 5.5 % | 2.8 % | 6.1 % | 2.8 % | 9.9 % | |
Very important | 23.1 % | 6.9 % | 15.9 % | 9.0 % | 58.3 % | |
Total | 4586 (100%) | 1194 (100%) | 1198 (100%) | 996 (100%) | 1198 (100%) | |
Base for mean | 4586 | 1194 | 1198 | 996 | 1198 | |
Mean | 5.8 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 4.1 | 8.5 | |
Standard Deviation | 3.21 | 2.65 | 2.99 | 2.97 | 2.45 |
BASE=3874 Weight [with split ups] | Country/region | |||||
Total | Japan | Republic of Korea | Sweden | United States | ||
Get comfort and strength from religion | No | 44.8 % | 64.9 % | 32.9 % | 66.8 % | 20.4 % |
Yes | 55.2 % | 35.1 % | 67.1 % | 33.2 % | 79.6 % | |
Total | 3874 (100%) | 950 (100%) | 856 (100%) | 895 (100%) | 1173 (100%) |
BASE=4661 Weight [with split ups] | Country/region | |||||
Total | Japan | Republic of Korea | Sweden | United States | ||
Statement: good and evil | Clear guidelines about what is good and evil | 30.7 % | 19.2 % | 37.0 % | 15.8 % | 49.2 % |
Depends upon circumstances at the time | 64.4 % | 69.3 % | 63.0 % | 81.0 % | 46.6 % | |
Disagree with both | 4.9 % | 11.5 % | – | 3.2 % | 4.2 % | |
Total | 4661 (100%) | 1277 (100%) | 1199 (100%) | 999 (100%) | 1186 (100%) |
BASE=4614 Weight [with split ups] | Country/region | |||||
Total | Japan | Republic of Korea | Sweden | United States | ||
Belong to religious denomination | No | 35.4 % | 55.6 % | 36.8 % | 24.2 % | 21.5 % |
Yes | 64.6 % | 44.4 % | 63.2 % | 75.8 % | 78.5 % | |
Total | 4614 (100%) | 1267 (100%) | 1196 (100%) | 1015 (100%) | 1136 (100%) |
BASE=4752 Weight [with split ups] | Country/region | |||||
Total | Japan | Republic of Korea | Sweden | United States | ||
How often do you attend religious services | More than once a week | 8.0 % | 1.7 % | 13.1 % | 0.5 % | 16.4 % |
Once a week | 12.9 % | 2.4 % | 17.1 % | 3.3 % | 28.8 % | |
Once a month | 9.3 % | 8.3 % | 8.0 % | 5.6 % | 15.1 % | |
Only on special holy days/Christmas/Easter days | 19.9 % | 43.2 % | 11.2 % | 10.6 % | 10.5 % | |
Once a year | 14.3 % | 22.1 % | 6.9 % | 21.4 % | 7.0 % | |
Less often | 15.5 % | 13.8 % | 27.6 % | 13.2 % | 7.5 % | |
Never practically never | 19.9 % | 8.6 % | 16.0 % | 45.6 % | 14.8 % | |
Total | 4752 (100%) | 1343 (100%) | 1198 (100%) | 1013 (100%) | 1198 (100%) |
BASE=4384 Weight [with split ups] | Country/region | |||||
Total | Japan | Republic of Korea | Sweden | United States | ||
Moments of prayer, meditation… | No | 41.5 % | 60.1 % | 41.1 % | 56.0 % | 10.7 % |
Yes | 58.5 % | 39.9 % | 58.9 % | 44.0 % | 89.3 % | |
Total | 4384 (100%) | 1229 (100%) | 954 (100%) | 1004 (100%) | 1198 (100%) |
BASE=4602 Weight [with split ups] | Country/region | |||||
Total | Japan | Republic of Korea | Sweden | United States | ||
Politicians who don´t believe in God are unfit for public office | Agree strongly | 6.3 % | 2.3 % | 2.9 % | 1.7 % | 17.8 % |
Agree | 9.1 % | 5.5 % | 7.4 % | 2.3 % | 20.5 % | |
Neither agree or disagree | 31.0 % | 50.8 % | 30.5 % | 11.5 % | 26.0 % | |
Disagree | 32.5 % | 26.1 % | 41.9 % | 37.0 % | 27.3 % | |
Strongly disagree | 21.1 % | 15.3 % | 17.2 % | 47.5 % | 8.5 % | |
Total | 4602 (100%) | 1328 (100%) | 1074 (100%) | 1010 (100%) | 1190 (100%) |
BASE=4651 Weight [with split ups] | Country/region | |||||
Total | Japan | Republic of Korea | Sweden | United States | ||
Religious leaders should not influence how people vote | Agree strongly | 28.6 % | 33.0 % | 25.0 % | 34.3 % | 22.3 % |
Agree | 40.5 % | 41.2 % | 44.4 % | 33.9 % | 41.5 % | |
Neither agree or disagree | 16.2 % | 20.4 % | 19.1 % | 10.2 % | 14.1 % | |
Disagree | 10.8 % | 3.5 % | 8.4 % | 14.4 % | 18.3 % | |
Strongly disagree | 3.8 % | 1.9 % | 3.1 % | 7.3 % | 3.8 % | |
Total | 4651 (100%) | 1326 (100%) | 1122 (100%) | 1009 (100%) | 1194 (100%) |
BASE=4540 Weight [with split ups] | Country/region | |||||
Total | Japan | Republic of Korea | Sweden | United States | ||
Better if more people with strong religious beliefs in public office | Agree strongly | 6.9 % | 1.4 % | 6.3 % | 2.1 % | 17.6 % |
Agree | 14.8 % | 3.9 % | 18.0 % | 6.7 % | 31.0 % | |
Neither agree or disagree | 29.0 % | 31.6 % | 36.2 % | 21.3 % | 26.5 % | |
Disagree | 30.4 % | 36.3 % | 28.2 % | 38.3 % | 19.2 % | |
Strongly disagree | 18.8 % | 26.7 % | 11.3 % | 31.6 % | 5.7 % | |
Total | 4540 (100%) | 1324 (100%) | 1028 (100%) | 1003 (100%) | 1185 (100%) |
BASE=4607 Weight [with split ups] | Country/region | |||||
Total | Japan | Republic of Korea | Sweden | United States | ||
Religious leaders should not influence government | Agree strongly | 24.1 % | 33.1 % | 20.6 % | 24.4 % | 17.0 % |
Agree | 34.7 % | 39.2 % | 36.7 % | 27.4 % | 34.0 % | |
Neither agree or disagree | 23.0 % | 22.0 % | 30.3 % | 20.3 % | 19.7 % | |
Disagree | 14.1 % | 4.0 % | 9.7 % | 21.1 % | 23.6 % | |
Strongly disagree | 4.1 % | 1.7 % | 2.7 % | 6.8 % | 5.7 % | |
Total | 4607 (100%) | 1320 (100%) | 1103 (100%) | 995 (100%) | 1189 (100%) |
BASE=4718 Weight [with split ups] | Country/region | |||||
Total | Japan | Republic of Korea | Sweden | United States | ||
Justifiable: cheating on taxes | Never justifiable | 68.8 % | 83.5 % | 74.7 % | 50.7 % | 62.1 % |
2 | 11.1 % | 6.2 % | 11.6 % | 17.1 % | 11.0 % | |
3 | 6.7 % | 4.0 % | 6.1 % | 10.0 % | 7.4 % | |
4 | 3.1 % | 1.5 % | 2.1 % | 5.4 % | 4.0 % | |
5 | 4.4 % | 2.4 % | 2.8 % | 8.3 % | 5.0 % | |
6 | 1.9 % | 0.7 % | 1.0 % | 2.5 % | 3.7 % | |
7 | 1.1 % | 0.1 % | 0.5 % | 2.4 % | 1.9 % | |
8 | 1.0 % | 0.3 % | 0.3 % | 2.1 % | 1.5 % | |
9 | 0.4 % | 0.2 % | 0.3 % | 0.5 % | 0.9 % | |
Always justifiable | 1.3 % | 1.2 % | 0.7 % | 1.0 % | 2.4 % | |
Total | 4718 (100%) | 1312 (100%) | 1199 (100%) | 1009 (100%) | 1198 (100%) | |
Base for mean | 4718 | 1312 | 1199 | 1009 | 1198 | |
Mean | 1.9 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 2.3 | |
Standard Deviation | 1.81 | 1.40 | 1.38 | 2.01 | 2.20 |
BASE=4724 Weight [with split ups] | Country/region | |||||
Total | Japan | Republic of Korea | Sweden | United States | ||
Justifiable: someone accepting a bribe | Never justifiable | 78.4 % | 83.0 % | 80.2 % | 68.5 % | 80.0 % |
2 | 8.7 % | 5.1 % | 10.3 % | 13.0 % | 7.4 % | |
3 | 4.7 % | 3.9 % | 4.7 % | 7.3 % | 3.6 % | |
4 | 2.3 % | 1.6 % | 1.8 % | 3.4 % | 2.8 % | |
5 | 2.6 % | 3.3 % | 1.6 % | 2.8 % | 2.6 % | |
6 | 1.0 % | 1.1 % | 0.3 % | 1.4 % | 1.2 % | |
7 | 0.7 % | 0.2 % | 0.5 % | 1.4 % | 0.7 % | |
8 | 0.7 % | 0.8 % | 0.1 % | 1.2 % | 0.7 % | |
9 | 0.3 % | 0.2 % | 0.3 % | 0.1 % | 0.4 % | |
Always justifiable | 0.7 % | 0.9 % | 0.4 % | 1.0 % | 0.6 % | |
Total | 4724 (100%) | 1314 (100%) | 1199 (100%) | 1013 (100%) | 1198 (100%) | |
Base for mean | 4724 | 1314 | 1199 | 1013 | 1198 | |
Mean | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 1.6 | |
Standard Deviation | 1.46 | 1.48 | 1.14 | 1.68 | 1.48 |
BASE=4553 Weight [with split ups] | Country/region | |||||
Total | Japan | Republic of Korea | Sweden | United States | ||
Justifiable: homosexuality | Never justifiable | 31.8 % | 29.8 % | 52.7 % | 8.7 % | 31.6 % |
2 | 5.6 % | 5.7 % | 9.8 % | 2.8 % | 3.6 % | |
3 | 6.0 % | 9.2 % | 7.3 % | 2.8 % | 4.1 % | |
4 | 4.4 % | 5.3 % | 4.6 % | 2.4 % | 4.7 % | |
5 | 13.6 % | 15.8 % | 11.9 % | 10.0 % | 16.1 % | |
6 | 7.5 % | 12.0 % | 3.0 % | 3.3 % | 11.1 % | |
7 | 4.2 % | 4.1 % | 3.8 % | 4.3 % | 4.6 % | |
8 | 5.8 % | 6.6 % | 3.5 % | 8.4 % | 5.3 % | |
9 | 3.5 % | 2.2 % | 1.0 % | 6.6 % | 4.7 % | |
Always justifiable | 17.6 % | 9.4 % | 2.3 % | 50.6 % | 14.1 % | |
Total | 4553 (100%) | 1200 (100%) | 1199 (100%) | 978 (100%) | 1177 (100%) | |
Base for mean | 4553 | 1200 | 1199 | 978 | 1177 | |
Mean | 4.8 | 4.4 | 2.8 | 7.7 | 4.8 | |
Standard Deviation | 3.40 | 2.98 | 2.44 | 3.07 | 3.25 |
BASE=4607 Weight [with split ups] | Country/region | |||||
Total | Japan | Republic of Korea | Sweden | United States | ||
Justifiable: abortion | Never justifiable | 22.3 % | 14.6 % | 36.9 % | 5.4 % | 29.7 % |
2 | 7.0 % | 7.4 % | 10.8 % | 1.7 % | 7.0 % | |
3 | 8.5 % | 12.4 % | 10.2 % | 4.2 % | 6.2 % | |
4 | 6.0 % | 7.6 % | 7.1 % | 3.2 % | 5.5 % | |
5 | 16.6 % | 21.3 % | 17.1 % | 11.8 % | 15.4 % | |
6 | 9.9 % | 14.6 % | 4.8 % | 7.7 % | 12.2 % | |
7 | 6.4 % | 6.2 % | 5.5 % | 8.3 % | 5.8 % | |
8 | 8.2 % | 8.7 % | 3.8 % | 14.1 % | 7.1 % | |
9 | 3.7 % | 2.6 % | 2.2 % | 8.1 % | 2.9 % | |
Always justifiable | 11.4 % | 4.5 % | 1.7 % | 35.4 % | 8.1 % | |
Total | 4607 (100%) | 1224 (100%) | 1199 (100%) | 993 (100%) | 1191 (100%) | |
Base for mean | 4607 | 1224 | 1199 | 993 | 1191 | |
Mean | 4.9 | 4.7 | 3.4 | 7.4 | 4.4 | |
Standard Deviation | 3.02 | 2.50 | 2.46 | 2.72 | 2.97 |
BASE=4630 Weight [with split ups] | Country/region | |||||
Total | Japan | Republic of Korea | Sweden | United States | ||
Justifiable: divorce | Never justifiable | 9.3 % | 5.5 % | 21.0 % | 2.1 % | 7.5 % |
2 | 3.8 % | 2.8 % | 7.7 % | 1.3 % | 2.8 % | |
3 | 5.8 % | 6.5 % | 8.1 % | 2.0 % | 6.2 % | |
4 | 5.9 % | 5.3 % | 7.2 % | 4.8 % | 6.1 % | |
5 | 20.0 % | 19.3 % | 23.7 % | 12.2 % | 23.7 % | |
6 | 12.0 % | 16.5 % | 8.1 % | 6.4 % | 15.9 % | |
7 | 7.9 % | 6.7 % | 7.7 % | 8.0 % | 9.4 % | |
8 | 10.7 % | 12.1 % | 6.9 % | 14.0 % | 10.3 % | |
9 | 6.1 % | 5.8 % | 4.8 % | 8.9 % | 5.4 % | |
Always justifiable | 18.5 % | 19.5 % | 4.9 % | 40.3 % | 12.6 % | |
Total | 4630 (100%) | 1233 (100%) | 1198 (100%) | 1004 (100%) | 1195 (100%) | |
Base for mean | 4630 | 1233 | 1198 | 1004 | 1195 | |
Mean | 6.1 | 6.4 | 4.6 | 7.8 | 5.9 | |
Standard Deviation | 2.81< /td> | 2.62 | 2.70 | 2.42 | 2.53 |
The data are open to many interpretations. You can actually do more fine-grained analysis, but I’ll leave that for the readers. I would say:
1) South Koreans are more religious than the Japanese, but also just as starkly they are more polarized. Look at the first table and how many Koreans asserted that they were convinced atheists, as opposed to the more mellow Japanese and Swedes. Japan and Sweden are clearly more secular than South Korea, but since religious controversy isn’t a feature of their public life, atheism vs. theism is less of an issue.
2) From a Western perspective the American & Swedish data are rather easy to interpret. The high rates of Swedish affiliation despite their secularity is simply due to the history of the established Lutheran church in that nation (only recently disestablished last I checked), and the customary attachment which most Swedes have to the institution. Aside from that, Sweden is secular and the United States not so much. South Korea and Japan are harder to interpret. Despite being very secular Japan is obviously rather conservative when it comes to many social mores, and Korea exhibits the same tendency. Rather than pinning down a specific explanation it is important to note that the role of institutional organized religion has been relatively marginal in these two societies until recently, and what role it did play was of low prestige compared to that in Western societies. In fact it can be argued that South Korea is simultaneously becoming a more religious and liberal society.
3) Despite the fact that Sweden has high rates of nominal affiliation to the Lutheran church, ceremonial and ritual religion seems to be a more common feature of the lives of the Japanese.
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