Religion Status, Trust, and Happiness: United States and Georgia

Abstract

Based on public opinion surveys and using the “three B’s” – belief, belonging. and behavior – module for measuring religiosity, this paper reveals Georgians’ differences from Americans in their more profound and certain beliefs in God, greater importance of religion in their lives, and a sharper contrast between trust in religious institutions and distrust in political ones. It also highlights Georgians’ exceptionalism in their overwhelming identification with a single religious denomination, Orthodox Christianity; higher social conservatism; support for religion’s impact on politics; and similar or greater religiosity of younger people compared to older ones. Although causality between the variables cannot be proven, research suggests a correlation among religiosity, trust in religious institutions, and happiness and well-being, especially through the benefits of social relationships and community involvement. As Georgians’ exceptionalism is rooted in history and can improve the mood in society, navigating between traditionalism and modernism, conservative values and liberal ideas is likely to continue for some time, strengthening Georgia’s spiritual, cultural, and national identity.