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Jasper County – Religious Adherence

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Religious adherence refers to the extent to which individuals or communities follow and practice the beliefs, rituals, and moral guidelines of a particular religion. It encompasses a wide range of behaviors, from personal devotion and private prayer to participation in communal worship and adherence to religious laws. The nature and intensity of religious adherence vary significantly across cultures, historical periods, and individual believers, influenced by factors such as upbringing, societal norms, personal experiences, and theological interpretations.

At its core, religious adherence is often rooted in faith, which is the belief in the doctrines, teachings, and spiritual truths of a religion. This faith is typically nurtured through religious education, family traditions, and community involvement. For many, adherence to a religion provides a sense of identity, purpose, and belonging. It offers a framework for understanding the world, addressing existential questions, and navigating life's challenges. Religions often provide moral and ethical guidelines that shape adherents' behavior, influencing decisions in areas such as family life, work, and social interactions.

Religious adherence can manifest in various forms, ranging from nominal or cultural adherence to devout or fundamentalist practices. Nominal adherence refers to individuals who identify with a religion primarily due to cultural or social reasons rather than deep personal conviction. They may participate in major religious festivals or rites of passage (e.g., weddings, funerals) but may not engage in regular worship or follow religious teachings closely. On the other end of the spectrum, devout adherents are deeply committed to their faith, often prioritizing religious practices and principles in their daily lives. Fundamentalist adherents take this commitment further, advocating for a strict, literal interpretation of religious texts and resisting modernization or secular influences.

Communal worship and rituals play a central role in religious adherence for many believers. These practices foster a sense of community and shared identity, reinforcing religious values and traditions. For example, in Christianity, regular attendance at church services, participation in sacraments like baptism and communion, and observance of holidays such as Christmas and Easter are key expressions of adherence. Similarly, in Islam, daily prayers, fasting during Ramadan, and the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca are fundamental practices for devout Muslims. In Hinduism, adherence may involve daily puja (worship), participation in festivals like Diwali, and adherence to dharma (moral duty).

Religious adherence also extends to ethical and moral conduct. Many religions prescribe specific codes of behavior, such as the Ten Commandments in Judaism and Christianity, the Five Precepts in Buddhism, or the Yamas and Niyamas in Hinduism. Adherents strive to align their actions with these teachings, often viewing their faith as a guide for living a virtuous life. For some, this includes acts of charity, social justice, and community service, reflecting the belief that religious adherence is not just about personal salvation but also about contributing to the well-being of others.

However, religious adherence is not without challenges. In an increasingly globalized and secular world, many individuals face tensions between traditional religious practices and modern values. Issues such as gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and scientific advancements often prompt debates within religious communities about the relevance and interpretation of ancient teachings. Some adherents reconcile these tensions by adopting a more progressive or inclusive approach to their faith, while others cling to traditional interpretations.

In conclusion, religious adherence is a multifaceted phenomenon that encompasses belief, practice, and ethical living. It provides individuals with a sense of meaning, community, and moral direction, while also reflecting the dynamic interplay between tradition and modernity. Whether expressed through private devotion or public ritual, religious adherence remains a powerful force in shaping individual identities and societal values.

A diversification score measures the diversity of religions in the county. As the value appoaches 100, religious diversity decreases and therefore increasing the risk of a lack of cultural diversity. The religious diversification score for this county is:

28.52

Most common religion not including "Unknown" is:

Methodist Mainline

 
  Evangelical
Mainline
 
DescriptionTotal Population Catholic Orthodox Baptist Other Protestant Pente­costal Restora­tionist Methodist Other Protestant Episco­palian Black Protestant Mormon Jewish Muslim Unknown

Jasper County36,3012,57007723,085575337,4913,89621707230016,939
Iowa (in 000's)3,1544964482145028535593161439691,101
National (in 000's)332,88165,8611,81223,5358,7367,1293,21423,91514,1413,7492,6437,0514,9133,361162,820
Polk County504,70270,2371,0569,73224,62914,8882,59347,78865,8174,3723,2994,9532,3772,330250,631
Story County86,7588,306372,5297,05193160316,15623,66692401,26047538924,431
Marshall County39,3988,24205512,0521721,7027,4556,29016506100012,159
Marion County32,8012,316806664,750267366,39610,55600498007,236
Mahaska County21,2681,21502982,032593275,3241,7751410373009,490
Poweshiek County17,2981,70302767772961,7016,4982,05016400003,833
Tama County16,8702,183011015421807,0032,9210015004,266
 
Per Cent to Total PopulationDiversity
Index
 

Jasper County28.527.080.002.138.501.580.0920.6410.730.600.001.990.000.0046.66
Iowa21.6215.730.121.536.791.580.8916.9818.810.520.451.230.190.2834.90
National29.2619.790.547.072.622.140.977.184.251.130.792.121.481.0148.91
Polk County29.5913.920.211.934.882.950.519.4713.040.870.650.980.470.4649.66
Story County20.559.570.042.928.131.070.7018.6227.281.070.001.450.550.4528.16
Marshall County20.5420.920.001.405.210.444.3218.9215.970.420.001.550.000.0030.86
Marion County21.697.060.242.0314.480.810.1119.5032.180.000.001.520.000.0022.06
Mahaska County28.255.710.001.409.552.790.1325.038.350.660.001.750.000.0044.62
Poweshiek County22.639.850.001.604.491.719.8337.5711.850.950.000.000.000.0022.16
Tama County28.3312.940.000.650.911.290.0041.5117.310.000.000.090.000.0025.29
 
Comparisons to State Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Jasper County 45.000.00138.60125.15100.3110.19121.5557.06115.590.00162.410.000.00133.69
Iowa 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
National 125.77454.77460.7838.65135.62108.2742.3222.58217.80175.58172.72777.50364.06140.13
Polk County 88.46174.79125.6771.86186.8057.6155.7769.33167.51144.5580.02248.08166.46142.27
Story County 60.8635.63189.98119.6867.9577.94109.69145.03205.940.00118.43288.39161.6780.68
Marshall County 132.980.0091.1576.7027.65484.42111.4684.8880.980.00126.250.000.0088.42
Marion County 44.88203.75132.33213.2551.5512.31114.86171.100.000.00123.800.000.0063.20
Mahaska County 36.310.0091.32140.70176.5714.24147.4544.37128.200.00143.010.000.00127.84
Poweshiek County 62.580.00103.9966.15108.361,102.66221.2763.01183.330.000.000.000.0063.48
Tama County 82.260.0042.5013.4481.830.00244.5192.060.000.007.250.000.0072.45
 
Comparisons to National Norms % to Total >= 150% % to Total < 50% 

Jasper County 35.780.0030.08323.8273.969.41287.23252.6553.070.0094.030.000.0095.40
Iowa 79.5121.9921.70258.7573.7492.36236.31442.7845.9156.9557.9012.8627.4771.36
National 100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00100.00
Polk County 70.3438.4427.27185.95137.7453.21131.79306.9976.9182.3346.3331.9145.72101.53
Story County 48.397.8341.23309.6850.1171.98259.20642.1594.560.0068.5637.0944.4157.57
Marshall County 105.730.0019.78198.4620.39447.41263.38375.8437.180.0073.100.000.0063.10
Marion County 35.6944.8028.72551.8038.0111.37271.42757.590.000.0071.680.000.0045.10
Mahaska County 28.870.0019.82364.06130.1913.15348.44196.4758.860.0082.800.000.0091.23
Poweshiek County 49.760.0022.57171.1679.901,018.42522.87278.9984.170.000.000.000.0045.30
Tama County 65.400.009.2234.7860.340.00577.81407.610.000.004.200.000.0051.70


Sources: STI: PopStats