Notre Dame study finds American Catholics 'distinctively optimistic' | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › Notre Dame study finds American Catholics 'distinctively optimistic' Notre Dame study finds American Catholics 'distinctively optimistic' Published: March 10, 2014 Author: Michael O. Garvey A new report published by the University of Notre Dame’s Catholic Social and Pastoral Research Initiative (CSPRI) indicates that American Catholics hold “distinctively optimistic views regarding human nature.” The report, “Distinctive Catholicism: U.S. Catholics’ Views on Human Nature,” summarized the findings of a study done by CSPRI director Brian Starks. The CSPRI initiative is a program of Notre Dame’s Institute for Church Life. Using a nationally representative sample of 2,897 adults, including 718 Catholics, Starks found that 43 percent of the Catholics surveyed describe human nature as basically good while fewer than 31 percent of the non-Catholics describe it that way. Catholics who attend Mass weekly are more likely to see human nature as basically good than are Catholics who attend less often, while mainline and evangelical Protestants who worship weekly are less inclined to view human nature as basically good than are their co-religionists who worship less regularly. “My report highlights a consistent ‘Catholic difference’ on views of human nature,” Starks said. “And while American Catholics are more likely to identify human nature as ‘basically good’ than their Protestant peers, this optimistic view of human nature appears to be under duress in our culture. Younger generations of Americans appear increasingly pessimistic about human nature. In comparison to Americans born in the 1920s, which was the high-water mark for the ‘basically good’ view, younger Americans are shifting toward a much more ambivalent view of human nature.” Christian Smith, William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Sociology at Notre Dame, said that religious groups that are distinctive and engage with the broader society are more likely to flourish than those that retreat from it. “This report is important because it tells us that Catholics have a unique perspective on human nature, which they can share with other Americans,” Smith said, “and share it they should.” “‘Distinctive Catholicism’ highlights Catholics’ unique way of viewing humanity’s nature, as good, even after the Fall, because that is how God made us,” said John Cavadini, professor of theology at Notre Dame and director of the institute. “Today, especially, this distinctive Catholic imagination is needed in a world that, too often, lacks a deep sense of humanity’s God-given goodness and dignity.” The report is being distributed to all Catholic bishops and to Catholic pastoral ministers nationwide. Contact: Brian Starks, 574-631-6109, Brian.Starks.2@nd.edu Posted In: Faith Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related October 03, 2022 dCEC to Award 2023 ND Evangelium Vitae Medal to Robert P. George September 22, 2022 In memoriam: Rev. Richard Warner, C.S.C., longtime leader for Notre Dame, Congregation of Holy Cross September 15, 2022 In new book on global Catholicism, Provost John McGreevy explores modern history, current challenges of the Church September 15, 2022 Death penalty abolitionist Sister Helen Prejean to speak at Notre Dame September 14, 2022 Apostolic nuncio to Great Britain to deliver the 2022 Keeley Vatican Lecture For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn