Poll: U.S. Catholics back same-sex marriage

Former Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square April 19, 2005, in Vatican City. / Arturo Mari-Pool/Getty Images

Amid growing support for same-sex marriage nationwide, a new poll from Quinnipiac University shows that most Catholics in the U.S. also back same-sex marriage, despite the church's teachings against it.

According to the poll, which surveyed 497 adult Catholics from February 27 - March 4 with a margin of error of +/- 4.4 percent, 54 percent of Catholic voters support same-sex marriage, while 38 percent oppose it. The survey shows a dramatic shift on the subject in the last few years: In a July 2008 poll by Quinnipiac, only 36 percent of Catholic voters said they supported same-sex marriage, while 55 percent opposed it.

Among 1,944 registered voters surveyed in the same poll, 47 percent supported same-sex marriage and 43 percent opposed it. A December poll asking the same question showed a statistical tie on the issue, at 48 percent in support and 46 percent in opposition.

• U.S. Catholics want a younger, more liberal pope
• Choosing the next Pope

After the recent resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Catholics await the selection of Benedict's successor. As a CBS News/New York Times poll indicated earlier this week, most Catholic Americans are hoping for a younger, more liberal pope the next time around.

Indeed, 52 percent of Catholics surveyed in the Quinnipiac poll said current church leaders are out of touch with the views of Catholics in America today. Fifty-five percent say the next pope should move the church in a new direction.

Specifically, 62 percent of U.S. Catholics say the next pope should let priests get married, and 64 percent say he should relax the church ban on contraception. Eighty-one percent said the church should also do more to combat the sexual abuse of young people by priests.

[Tink1159]

"..current church leaders are out of touch with the views of Catholics in America today"

This statement makes no sense. It is these so-called Catholics that are out of touch with the Church. The Church and the Word of God does not change because someone finds it too hard to behave themselves. Those with self-control or at least trying, find themselves right in line with the leaders of the Catholic church.

Knowing the traditional nature of Catholics and sin, why was this poll not viewed with skepticism? Why would investigative reporters not have validated the poll by going to several Catholic churches on a Sunday morning and conduct a similar poll? Isn't that what you get paid for, to be skeptical and drive out the Truth?

Does CBS News believe everything they read? What if I owned a polling company and polled-Church going Catholics across the country and it came back with 90% of Catholics are in agreement with church leaders. Would you print that? Or do you really have an agenda?

That might lead one to believe that it was CBS News that was out of touch.

[kafirfistani]

The church most certainly does change over time, does TINK1159 forget that this church once said the earth was flat , so being in line with this pedophile hiding church makes you better than normal people = I don't think so .

[MerrellOBrian64]

It's a GREAT TIME to be alive and gay in America! Why, looking out over the civilized world, the LGBT is winning the fight and bringing it home to the churches, schools, Boy Scouts and Governments! Great job guys and gals!
The US Supreme Court is on the edge of issuing Equal Marriage to this entire country! Ireland, Scotland, England, France...all joining the ranks! Thank you all who continue to work so hard! Thank you for standing when you should stand.

[LosAngelesCA]

I'm happy you're happy but the Supreme Court will uphold our constitutional amendment to define marriage as between a man and a woman. You can still enter into domestic partnerships.

[Dis_Gruntled]

Bull.

[Lindag20]

Hockey.

[realtimecoffee]

7lucky_seven- replies I disagree, Hugh.
----
I know it is way off topic, but I have to know. Where did the Hugh thing come from? I kinda like it actually. Might adopt it.

[realtimecoffee]

Seriously? A Moe's reference? I'm so out of my depth.

[realtimecoffee]

Thanks for the back story. I think I will stick with Slappy though.

[A_Canadian_Opinion]

What a great church! The people get to set their own rules. That's a guaranteed ticket into heaven!

[realtimecoffee]

knsn_for_cmn_sense replies: And that my friends is what happens when we legislate someones interpretation of gods word. Instead of the constitution.
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Words of wisdom.

[knsn_for_cmn_sense]

Shaniqua gets mad when I say that.

[realtimecoffee]

Hmm. Still, I stand by my words. Maybe Shaniqua won't mind if it comes from me.

[AOCGUY]

As some can attest to here I certainly haven't followed my mother's advice that if one can't something nice one shouldn't say anything at all. But I often wonder why some people feel it is important to denegrate another simply because they disagree with who they love. Same sex couples cause no harm to anyone, do not restrict the rights of others, in short who they love has absolutely no impact on the lives of any one else yet there are so many on this site alone who chose to attack them, denigrate them, deny them rights.

I'm not gay and quite frankly don't understand homosexuality (heck I can't figure out why women like men but I'm grateful that they do) but I do know that someone's sexual orientation has no affect on me and I don't understand why I or any one else should feel compelled to exert energy to deny same sex couples the same rights we currently give heteros.

[realtimecoffee]

+1

[Think4times]

They do. Any gay person may marry a person of ther opposite sex exactly the same as any hetero person.
__________________________________

Oh trying to be clever again?

Cmon 7 why would you spit out a sentence that betrays itself?

[AOCGUY]

Today I attended the funeral of the son of a very good friend and himself a friend. He has a successful local businessman, admired in the community with many friends. He was a homeowner, a taxpayer, and an beloved employer. He was a freind to many including my wife and I as well as my daughter and son-in-law. He left behind a grieving partner of 13 years. He was also gay.

In this thoroughly red county here in the south the Catholic church was packed with family and friends. Among those in attendenace were retired senior military officers at least one retired CMSgt, local business people, bikers, christians and atheists - pretty much a cross-section of America. Everyone of us had one thing in common and that was that we loved and respected this man who was taken from us far to soon.

Too many haters on this site that speak (or write) without thinking. Today we put to rest an American. Today we attempted to console Americans who lost a loved one. Today America became just a litlle bit less.

[Think4times]

Sorry to hear that AOC, condolences :(

[realtimecoffee]

I grieve for your loss. Please do not mistake the rancor here over the organization for animosity for the individual congregants.

[realtimecoffee]

Think4times replies: If I could fit God into a tiny box, I would bury it in a time capsule to be re-examined in about 100 years.
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NICE tangent. Maybe a century would give us a chance to figure out our own $h!t before we stand before the thrown.

[realtimecoffee]

lol to the Freudians, I meant throne of course, but hey, works either way.

[Think4times]

Never argue with stupid people, they will bring you down to their level and then beat you with experience.

Mark Twain

[realtimecoffee]

That Twain guy, too smart for his times.

[realtimecoffee]

Ever wonder why it is so hard to learn from those who have already figured it out?