Well, They Beat Lawyers, Anyway

Pew’s Forum on Religion and Public Life has released the latest version of its periodic survey of public attitudes toward various professions in America. The survey asks whether a given occupation contributes to society’s well-being. The results? The military tops the list, with almost 80% responding that the military contributes “a lot” to society. Teachers come in second, with 72%. The percentages then drop through various professions, until the list reaches the bottom with—lawyers. Only 18% of respondents said that lawyers contribute a lot to society. (The survey didn’t ask what people thought of “law teachers” like me. Perhaps it’s better only guessing).

Clergy rank roughly in the middle. Thirty-seven percent of respondents said that clergy contribute a lot to society, but the percentages vary greatly among religious groups. For example, 52% of white Evangelicals say clergy contribute a lot to society, but only 28% of Hispanic Catholics say the same. Somewhat surprisingly, one-fifth of the religiously unaffiliated say that clergy contribute a lot to society—another indication that, in America, even the Nones have a soft spot for religion. For more analysis of the Pew Survey, click here .