Religion Monitor

Given that many countries are experiencing an increase in religious pluralism and that cultures with diverse religious backgrounds are rapidly coming into contact as a result of globalization, it is more important than ever that we understand religious beliefs and practices on an individual level. In addition, we must gain insight into how such beliefs find expression within society and contribute to social change. The Bertelsmann Stiftung has therefore joined forces with religion specialists, sociologists, psychologists and theologians to develop the Religion Monitor, an analytical tool designed to illuminate in unprecedented detail the multifaceted nature of religious belief in modern society.

The Religion Monitor's findings are based on a representative survey initially carried out in 2007 in 21 countries around the globe. The countries were chosen to reflect the Religion Monitor's interreligious focus and therefore included adherents of all of the world's major religions. The data were collected in telephone interviews and, in some countries, during face-to-face interviews. Additional in-depth interviews were carried out in Germany. The Religion Monitor survey contains some 100 questions which highlight six core dimensions of religiousness, taking both theistic and pantheistic attitudes into account. The dimensions include interest in religious topics, the belief in God or something divine, public and private religious practices, religious experiences and religion's impact on everyday life. In addition, the survey's findings are consolidated into a "Centrality Index," which allows respondents to be classified as highly religious, religious or non-religious.

The Religion Monitor survey is carried out at regular intervals so that the project can identify and assess religion-related developments on various levels. A survey was carried out in 2008, for example, to examine attitudes among Muslims in Germany. More information on the questionnaire, country findings, related articles and project modules is available under "Downloads" on the right.

In addition to viewing the international findings, users can participate in the global survey at www.religionsmonitor.com. Once they have completed the questionnaire, they can then generate their own personal "religiousness profile" and compare it to findings for the country in which they live.