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Technorati"Based on the survey data, departure from God’s morality is the cause of America’s widely perceived cultural decline," stated the report. "Reversing America’s moral decline will require a renewed acceptance of Orthodox values, which implies increased acceptance of God’s authority."
And with media's large influence, the Culture and Media Institute suggests that Americans who care about America's moral condition "should insist that the media strive to more fairly represent all views, including those of the Orthodox."
Moral standards may be in greater shades of grey among America's youth. The survey found that 66 percent of Americans believe that young people have a weaker sense of right and wrong than young people of 20 years ago. Even people aged 18-24 years agree, with 51 percent saying so. As for the students themselves, only 39 percent agree to the significant moral decline among the youth.
Despite the moral decline, Americans still believe in the classical virtues.
The survey found that 87 percent said they would do what is right even if they are embarrassed in front of their friends, believe in being grateful no matter their circumstances, and say they will help a neighbor or acquaintance in need even if they know the favor will not be returned.
Overall, commitment to charity is very high. But Orthodox Americans are more likely to believe in giving no matter their personal circumstances than the other two value groups. Sixty-two percent of Orthodox, 37 percent of Independents and 35 percent of Progressives hold that belief.
Other findings showed that 51 percent say lying is always wrong under any circumstances; 53 percent believe in keeping promises no matter what but 46 percent can excuse the failure to keep their word in situations where it's "too difficult or inconvenient;" 31 percent say they are willing to break the law and only 65 percent say it's always wrong to do so; 57 percent say they would come clean if they were ever unfaithful to their spouses and 34 percent say they would be willing to deceive their spouses; and 25 percent accept adult use of illegal drugs.
The Culture and Media Institute is a division of the Media Research Center and was founded in October 2006 to expose media campaigns against traditional values and help restore America's culture.
