Religious Involvement Inventory – RII

The amount of time I spend trying to grow in understanding of my faith is:

How often do you read literature about your faith (or church)?

How often in the last year have you shared with another church member the problems and joys of trying to live a life of faith in God?

When faced by decisions regarding social problems, how often do you seek guidance from statements and publications provided by the church?

How often do you read the Bible?

How often do you pray privately in places other than at church?

How often do you talk about religion with your friends, neighbors, or fellow workers?

When you have decisions to make in your everyday life, how often do you try to find out what God wants you to do?

During the last year, how often have you visited someone in need, besides your own relatives?

In talking with members of your family, how often do you yourself mention religion or religious activities?

How often have you personally tried to convert someone to faith in God?

I must admit that I don't do very much to increase my knowledge of God.

I have had some unusual religious experiences.

It is important to me to spend periods of time in private religious thought and meditation.

There is only one right way to do anything.

It is part of one's patriotic duty to worship in the church of his choice.

A person either knows the answer to a question or he doesn't.

Church leaders should pay attention to recent scientific studies which prove that the white race is best.

What religion offers me most is comfort when sorrows and misfortune strikes.

There are two kinds of people in the world: the weak and the strong.

A person is either a 100% American or he isn't.

The purpose of prayer is to secure a happy and peaceful life.

There are two kinds of women: the pure and the bad.

You can classify almost all people as either honest or crooked.

It doesn't take very long to find out if you can trust a person.

Estimate the extent to which you feel religion is important in your life today.

To what extent has God influenced your life?

How often do you ask God to forgive your sins?

How often do you pray privately in places other than at church? (Orthodoxy item)

I know that God answers my prayers.

I believe in eternal life.

Private prayer is one of the most important and satisfying aspects of my religious experience.

Property (house, automobile, money, investments, etc.) belongs to God; we only hold it in trust for him.

I believe that God revealed Himself to man in Jesus Christ.

Religion is especially important to me because it answers many questions about the meaning of life.

The church is important to me as a place where I get strength and courage for dealing with the trials and problems of life.

I believe that the Bible provides the basic moral principles to guide every decision of my daily life.

I believe in salvation as release from sin and freedom for new life with God.

I believe that the word of God is revealed in the Scriptures.

I believe in God as Heavenly Father who watches over me and to whom I am accountable.

I believe that Christ is a living reality.

I know how it feels to repent and experience forgiveness of sin.

I have about given up trying to understand 'worship' or get much out of it.

I frequently feel very close to God in prayer, during public worship, or at important moments in my daily life.

I know that I need God's continual love and care.

I believe that my local congregation should sponsor projects to improve the economic well-being of blacks and other minority groups.

The church should take the lead in ending injustice toward blacks and other minority groups.

I am proud that my denomination has taken a stand in favor of equal rights for blacks and other minority groups.

Churches should support the struggle of black people to achieve equal rights.

I believe that my local congregation should sponsor projects to protect the rights of blacks and other minority groups.

I believe that my local congregation should accept as members persons of all races.

Which of the following were among the twelve disciples? (Daniel; John; Judas; Paul; Peter; Samuel)

Which of the following books are in the Old Testament? (Acts; Amos; Galatians; Hebrews; Hosea; Psalms)

Which of the following denominations in the U.S. have bishops? (Disciples; Episcopal; Lutheran; Methodist; Presbyterian; Roman Catholic)

Which of the following books are included in the four Gospels? (James; John; Mark; Matthew; Peter; Thomas)

Which of the following were Old Testament prophets? (Deuteronomy; Ecclesiastes; Elijah; Isaiah; Jeremiah; Leviticus)

Which of the following men were leaders of the Protestant Reformation? (Aquinas; Augustine; Calvin; Cranmer; Hegel; Luther)

Which of the following acts were performed by Jesus Christ during his earthly ministry? (Resisting the temptations of Satan; healing ten lepers; leading his people against the priests of Baal; parting the waters to cross the Red Sea; overcoming Goliath; turning water into wine)

Which of the following principles are supported by most Protestant denominations? (Bible as the word of God; separation of church and state; power of clergy to forgive sins; final authority of the church; justification by faith; justification by good works)

If I should die today, I would feel that my life has been worthwhile.

I am satisfied that most of the time I live in right relationship to God and to men.

Most of the time my life seems to be out of my control.

I usually find life new and exciting.

My life is full of joy and satisfaction.

I have discovered satisfying goals and a clear purpose in life.

My personal existence often seems meaningless and without purpose.

My life is often empty, filled with despair.

Facing my daily tasks is usually a source of pleasure and satisfaction to me.

Of all your closest friends, how many are also members of your local congregation?

How would you rate your activity in this congregation?

Last year, approximately what percentage of your income was contributed to the church?

In proportion to your income, what do you consider that your contributions to the church are?

During the last year, what was the average monthly contribution of your family to your local congregation?

During the last year, how often have your made contributions to the church in addition to the general budget and Sunday School?

If not prevented by unavoidable circumstances, I attend church.

I make financial contributions to the church.

How often do you get together with members of your congregation in addition to church-sponsored meetings?

How often have you taken Holy Communion (the Lord's Supper; the Eucharist) during the last year?

How often do you spend evenings at church meetings or in church work?

Church activities (meetings, committee work, etc.) are a major source of satisfaction in my life.

I keep pretty well informed about my congregation and have some influence on its decisions.

I enjoy working in the activities of the church.