pakistan online religious identity survey 2012
TRANSCRIPT
[ Pakistan Religious Identity Online Survey 2012] Faria Syed, Jahanzaib Haque, Shaheryar Popalzai
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Pakistan Religious Identity Online Survey 2012
tribune.com.pk
Prepared By:
The Express Tribune Web Desk
Sybrid: Zainul Abedin, Syed Sultan,
Umair Alam, Arsalan Ali & Agha Imran
February 2012
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Summary
A majority of online Pakistanis (49%) say that they consider themselves ‘Muslim first’ and ‘Pakistani’
second (28%) according to a survey conducted by The Express Tribune. Results showed that expats felt
their identity was were more ‘Pakistani’ than Muslim.
The survey was designed to test online Pakistanis (locals and expats) on three different scales--- level of
tolerance, level of religiosity and adherence to tradition.
While 77% of online Pakistanis expressed a belief in a being that created existence only 46 per cent of
online Pakistanis said they identified themselves as a religious person. 75% said they believed in the
existence of Heaven and Hell.
A majority of Muslims respondents (63%) agreed to the statement that “Pakistanis are not perfect but
our religion is superior to others”. In a core finding related to tolerance, 66% of Pakistanis voted against
the need to influence others to share their set of beliefs. However, only 11% of total respondents said
they would experiment with other belief systems.
Males and Females
Women proved to be more traditional than men with 72% saying that they shared the same religious
beliefs as their parents. A large number of male respondents said they had reached their current set of
beliefs through research, while a majority of females said that they were raised that way. The online
survey found males were more inclined than women to researching new ideas and more willing to
explore their beliefs. On the other hand men (36%) felt it was important to influence others when it
comes to religion.
Locals and Expats
The survey found expats exhibited slightly lower religiosity than local respondents. For example the local
population showed greater belief in Heaven and Hell, was more regular in prayers and identified more
to scripture.
Expats were inclined to be more egalitarian than local respondents with reference to religious tolerance.
While a majority of expats disagreed with the statement ‘Pakistanis are not perfect but our religion is
superior to others’ 53% of locals agreed with it. Fewer expats (35%) voted in favor of needing God to be
moral, compared to locals (44%). A greater number of expats (81%) said they had researched other
belief systems, as compared to locals (75%).
Muslims and Non-religious groups
The sample consisted largely of Muslim respondents and those who identified themselves as non-
religious. While members of other religious communities did respond to the survey their results were
too few to be conclusive. In general, the Muslim segment gave very different responses to the non-
religious segment, displaying a greater degree of intolerance and traditional thinking. Interestingly,
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while 72% of Muslims said they had researched other belief systems, a larger majority of the non-
religious segment (92%) said they had researched other belief systems.
Education & Age
The survey found that those who were older, and those holding a doctorate degree exhibited the
greatest degree of tolerance and openness to religious plurality. Older age groups (30+) and doctorate
degree holders also exhibited lowest religiosity, suggesting that higher education and greater age results
in lower religiosity.
Scope of the research
The survey was available for three days during January 2012 and The Express Tribune is proud to have
obtained over 1,600 results from online Pakistanis and expats. Respondents expressed their opinion on
issues related to religious tolerance and spirituality. An online survey cannot provide a completely
representative picture of the views held by Pakistanis due to its limited reach. The figures and
information presented in this report only provide information about religious perceptions in Pakistan
with reference to the online audience’s views.
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SAMPLE STATISTICS/LIMITATIONS
The survey was filled out by younger people aged under 20 (11% of all surveyed) those aged 20-29 (68% of all surveyed), 30-39 (15% of all surveyed) and a small percentage of those over 40 (6% of all surveyed).
The survey captured a disproportionately large number of male responses (78% of total) as compared to female responses (22% of total) reflective of The Express Tribune readership and overall numbers of males to females with online access in Pakistan.
On the education scale, a large majority (91%) of those surveyed were at or above the undergraduate level, with another 7% in or having completed high school.
11%
68%
15%6%
What is your age?
Under 20
20-29
30-39
Over 40
78%
22%
What is your sex?
Male
Female
7%
41%46%
4%2%
What is your education level?
High school
Undergraduate
Post graduate
Doctorate
Other
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The survey was largely filled out by local Pakistanis (74%), while expats made up 26% of the results.
The survey also largely reflects the views of the upper class, upper-middle class and parts of the middle class, with 43% of total respondents citing an average household income of over Rs 100,000 and another 17% citing an income of Rs 75-100,000.
The survey also represents a large number of Muslims (77% of total) and 19% of those identifying as non-religious. Minorities, while represented, have not been analyzed due to the statistically low number of responses.
74%
26%
Where do you currently live?
Local
Expat
14%
26%
17%
43%
Please estimate your monthly household
income
Less than Rs 30,000
Rs 30-75,000
Rs 75-100,000
77%
19%4%
What religion do you follow?
Islam
Non-religious
Minorities
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SURVEY QUESTIONS ANALYSIS
1. What do you consider yourself first?
Of total respondents, 49% said they consider themselves Muslims first, Pakistani second (28%) while
another 23% voted ‘other’.
Males and females responded similarly to this question.
Those under 20 and those 20-29 voted highest (both 53%) for considering themselves Muslims first.
Expats voted low (43%) on considering themselves Muslim first, and highest for considering themselves
Pakistani first (31%).
Only 23% of Muslims said they considered themselves Pakistanis first, with 63% voting Muslim first, and
14% voting other.
Those in high school and undergrads voted highest for being Pakistani first (52% and 51% respectively.
49%
28%
23%
Muslim
Pakistani
Other
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2. Is it necessary to believe in God to be a moral person?
Out of the total respondents, a majority (59%) said it was not necessary to believe in God to be a moral
person.
Both females and males voted in a similar fashion, with 58% and 59% respectively saying it was not
necessary to believe in God to be a moral person.
Fewer expats (35%) voted in favor of needing God to be moral, compared to locals (44%).
There was no significant difference in voting between different ages.
One hundred per cent of those who voted as ‘Non-religious’ said belief in God was not needed to be
moral.
Those studying in high school and those who had attained a doctorate degree both voted significantly
higher against the need for God to be a moral person (68% and 69% respectively) as compared to post
grads and undergrads.
41%
59%
Yes
No
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3. Do you practice your faith (e.g. pray) on at least a weekly basis?
Out of the total respondents, a majority (63%) said they do practice their faith on at least a weekly basis.
Both females and males voted identically on this question.
Fewer expats (58%) compared to locals (65%) said they practiced their faith on a weekly basis.
Those under 20 and age 20-29 voted significantly higher on practicing their faith weekly (62% and 67%
respectively) compared to those aged 30-39 and 40 and above (51% and 49% respectively).
Those identifying themselves as Muslims voted significantly higher (78%) from those who identified as
non-religious (3%).
Those holding a doctorate degree voted significantly lower (56%) for practicing their faith on a weekly
basis.
63%
37%
Yes
No
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4. Do you feel it is important to influence others to share your set of
beliefs?
A majority of total respondents (66%) voted against the need to influence others to share their set of
beliefs.
A greater number of male voters (36%) felt it was important to influence others, as compared to female
voters (28%).
Expats voting in favor of influencing others (29%) were lower than those in the local population (36%)
that voted in favor of influencing others.
The survey revealed that younger people, under 20 and 20-29 voted slightly higher in favor of
influencing others (45% and 35% respectively) compared to those aged 30-39 and 40 and above (28%
and 20% respectively).
A similar trend was observable in educational background, with those in high school voting highest
(38%) in favor of influencing others, compared to undergrads (36%), postgrads (31%) and those with
doctorate degrees (29%).
Muslims voted higher (38%) compared to non-religious voters (18%) in feeling it was important to
influence others to share their set of beliefs.
34%
66%
Yes
No
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5. Do you share the same religious beliefs as your parents?
A majority of total respondents (67%) said they do follow the same religious beliefs as those of their
parents.
A greater number of females (72%) said they followed the beliefs of their parents, as compared to males
(65%).
Both expats and locals voted identically in this question.
Those 40 and above voted lowest (58%) for sharing the same religious beliefs as their parents.
A majority of Muslims (82%) said they follow the same religious beliefs as their parents, as compared to
the non-religious segment (10%).
Those with doctorate degrees voted lowest (56%) for supporting the religious beliefs of their parents.
67%
33%
Yes
No
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6. Do you believe in a greater being more powerful than ourselves that is
responsible for us being in existence?
A majority of respondents (77%) said they believed in a greater being more powerful than themselves
that is responsible for them being in existence.
A larger number of females (84%) believed in a higher power, as compared to males (74%).
There was no significant difference in voting between expats and locals.
Those aged 30-39 and over 40 voted lower (70% and 62% respectively) in belief in a greater being, as
compared to those aged under 20 and 20-29 (79% for both).
A majority of Muslims (91%) said they belief in a higher being responsible for human existence, as
compared to the non-religious segment (21%).
Those holding a doctorate degree voted lowest (70%) in belief in a higher power.
77%
23%
Yes
No
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7. Would you experiment with other belief systems?
Only 11% of total respondents said they would experiment with other belief systems, while 23% voted
‘Maybe’.
Female voted less (8%) in favor of experimenting with other belief systems as compared to males (12%).
Both sexes voted evenly (22%) on ‘maybe’ experimenting with other belief systems.
Locals and expats voted in an identical fashion on this question.
Those aged 40 and above voted highest (74%) against experimenting with other belief systems.
Only 10% of Muslims said they were open to experimenting, while only 13% of non-religious voters said
they would experiment with other belief systems.
Those with a doctorate degree and those in high school responded highest to being willing to
experiment (14% and 13% respectively) as compared to postgrads and undergrads (both 10%).
11%
23%
66%
Yes
Maybe
No
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8. Do you belong to an organized religious or spiritual group?
Only 20% of total respondents said they belonged to an organized religious or spiritual group.
Males and females gave identical responses to the question, as did expats and locals.
Those aged under 20 had the highest ratio of votes (24%) identifying with an organized religion or
spiritual group, with numbers decreasing with each age group.
Only 23% of Muslims said they followed an organized religious group, while only 3% of the non-religious
segment said they belong to an organized religious or spiritual group.
20%
80%
Yes
No
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9. Do you consider yourself to be a religious person?
The vote was roughly split in half between total respondents, with 46% considering themselves a
religious person.
Males and females responded in a roughly identical fashion on the question, as did expats and locals.
Those aged 20-29 showed the highest level (49%) of identification as a religious person.
A small majority of Muslims (57%) said they considered themselves a religious person. Only 33% of high
school students identified themselves as a religious person.
46%
54%
Yes
No
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10. Do you believe in Heaven and Hell?
A majority of total respondents (75%) said they believe in Heaven and Hell.
A larger number of males (80%) said they believed in Heaven and Hell, as compared to females (74%).
The local population showed greater belief in Heaven and Hell (77%) as compared to expats (71%).
Those aged under 20 and 20-29 had a greater belief in Heaven and Hell (both 79%) as compared to
those 30-39 and over 40 (64% and 59% respectively).
A large majority (93%) of Muslims said they believed in Heaven and Hell, while only 6% of the non-
religious segment believed the same.
Those holding a doctorate degree had the lowest ratio (63%) of belief in Heaven and Hell.
75%
25%
Yes
No
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11. How would you describe the growth trend over the past 20 years
regarding organized religion?
A majority of total respondents (62%) said they felt organized religion was growing since the last 20
years.
Another 22% said that organized religion was decreasing, while 16% said they felt organized religion had
stayed the same.
Females felt that organized religion was growing slightly more (64%) as compared to males (61%). Locals
and expats voted in a similar fashion on this question.
Those aged 40 and above voted highest (74%) in describing a growing trend in organized religion,
followed by those 30-39 (69%), 20-29 (61%) and those under 20 (48%).
A majority of Muslims (64%) said organized religion was growing, as compared to the non-religious
segment (53%).
Those holding a doctorate degree had the highest ratio of votes (29%) indicating a decreasing trend in
organized religion over the past 20 years.
62%
22%
16%
Growing
Decreasing
About the same
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12. Do you consider yourself to be a spiritual person?
A majority of total respondents (57%) said they consider themselves to be a spiritual person.
A greater number of females (65%) said they considered themselves spiritual, as compared to males
(54%).
Expats and locals voted similarly on this question.
Those aged 20-29 voted highest (59%) in considering themselves spiritual. A majority of Muslims (66%)
said they were spiritual, as compared to the non-religious segment (31%).
Undergrads and those with a doctorate degree voted highest in considering themselves spiritual (both
59%).
57%
43% Yes
No
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13. Have you researched other belief systems?
A large majority of total respondents (77%) said they had researched belief systems other than their
own.
Males and females responded identically to the question.
A greater number of expats (81%) said they had researched other belief systems, as compared to locals
(75%). Those aged 40 and above voted highest (83%) for having researched other belief systems.
While 72% of Muslims said they had researched, a large majority of the non-religious segment (92%)
said they had researched other belief systems.
Those holding a doctorate degree voted highest (84%) for having researched other belief systems.
77%
23%
Yes
No
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14. Does the basis of your beliefs relate to some type of written scripture?
A majority of total respondents (66%) said they based their belief on a type of written scripture.
Females had a significantly higher majority (72%) of votes for having their beliefs relate to written
scripture, as compared to males (64%).
A greater number of locals (67%) said they related to a written scripture as compared to expats (61%).
Those under 20 voted highest (73%) in basing their beliefs on written scripture, while those over 40
voted lowest (50%).
A large majority of Muslims (82%) said their belief was based on written scripture, compared to the non-
religious segment (4%).
Those in high school voted highest (70%) for their beliefs relating to written scripture.
66%
34%
Yes
No
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15. What brought you to your current set of beliefs?
A majority (51%) of total respondents said they reached their current set of beliefs through research.
Another 38% said their current beliefs were based on their upbringing, while 6% said it was based on
culture. Four percent said that convenience led them to their current beliefs.
A greater number of males (54%) said they used research to reach their beliefs as compared to females
(40%). Interestingly, a greater number of females (50%) said they reached their beliefs because they
were raised this way, as compared to males (35%).
Those aged 30-39 and 40 and above ranked highest (58% and 53% respectively) for using research to
reach their set of beliefs. Those under 20 ranked highest (44%) for reaching their beliefs because they
were raised this way. Expats ranked highest (58%) for using research.
The non-religious group voted highest (89%) in favor of using research in reaching their set of beliefs, as
compared to Muslims (41%). Those with doctorate degrees also voted highest (68%) of all groups in
using research.
51%
38%
6%4%
1%
Research
Raised this way
Culture
Convenience
Other
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16. “Pakistanis are not perfect but our culture is superior to others”
Only 23% of total respondents said they believed their culture was superior to others.
A marginally greater number of males (24%) said they believed Pakistani culture was superior, as
compared to females (20%).
Expats generally disagreed with the statement more (83% disagree) compared to the local population
(76% disagree).
Those aged under 20 agree most (28%) with the notion that Pakistani culture is superior to others,
compared to those 20-29 (23%), 30-39 (18%) and those over 40 (15%).
Only 27% of Muslims said Pakistani culture was superior to others, while only 4% of the non-religious
segment agreed.
Those holding a doctorate degree had the highest ratio of votes (88%) against the statement.
23%
77%
Agree
Disagree
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17. “Pakistanis are not perfect but our religion is superior to others”
Out of the total respondents, 49% agreed while 51% disagreed that Pakistanis are not perfect, but the
state religion (Islam) is superior to others.
Males and females responded identically to this statement.
A majority of locals (53%) agreed to the statement, as compared to expats, a majority of whom (61%)
disagreed with the statement.
A small majority (52%) of those aged 20-29 agreed that Pakistanis are not perfect but their religion was
superior, as compared to those aged below 20 (47% agree), 30-39 (38% agree) and 40 and above (40%
agree).
A majority of Muslims (63%) agreed to the statement, as compared to the non-religious segment (1%
agree).
Those holding a doctorate degree had the highest ratio of votes (62%) against the notion that Pakistanis
are not perfect, but the state religion is superior to others.
49%51%Agree
Disagree
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18. “Success in life is determined by forces outside our control”
A majority of total respondents (65%) disagreed with the idea that success in life is determined by forces
outside their control.
Males and females responded similarly to this statement, as did locals and expats.
Those aged under 20 expressed the greatest degree of disagreement (72%) with the statement.
Only 17% of the non-religious segment agreed that success in life is determined by forces outside their
control as compared to 39% of Muslims.
Those holding a doctorate degree and post grads voted highest in agreement with the statement (both
37%).
35%
65%
Agree
Disagree