Survey gives glimpse into Israeli Christians' beliefs

A research organization has published a study that can give insight into the religious practices and beliefs of Christians in Israel.

The survey conducted by the Pew Research Center reveals that of the adult population in Israel, 2 percent said that they are Christians while 14 percent are Muslim. Majority of the Christians said that they are Arab by ethnicity, something they share with their Muslim countrymen.

Of the Christians in Israel, 94 percent said they have been baptized, and 83 percent have been anointed with holy oil. Sixty percent fast during Lent, 39 percent give tithes, and 81 percent have icons (of saints or religious figures) at home.

According to the report, Christians in Israel tend to be connected with people who are of the same faith -- 21 percent said that all their close friends are Christians while 65 percent said that most of their friends are Christians. Ninety percent of Christian parents would not be too comfortable and 79 percent would not at all be comfortable of their child marrying a Jew, while 80 percent would be uncomfortable if their child married a Muslim.

Meanwhile, 72 percent of Christian respondents have the same view as 63 percent of Muslims who believe that Israel cannot be both a Jewish state and a democracry. Eighty percent of Christians say that the government of Israel is not exerting sincere effort in order to have peace with Palestinians, 79 percent say that Israel's security is at risk by the continued building of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, and 86 percent say that the United States is too supportive of Israel. On the other hand, 72 percent, 61 percent, and 75 percent of Israeli Muslims share the same views toward the respective issues.

In terms of being religious, 57 percent of Christians claim that religion is important in their personal lives, lower than 68 percent of Muslims but higher than 30 percent of Jews. Thirty-four percent of Christians pray daily, a number between 61 percent of Muslims and 21 percent of Jews. In terms of attendance to religious services, 38 percent of Christians attend at least once a week, again a number between 49 percent of Muslims and 27 percent of Jews.

As of 2010, four percent of the population in the Middle East-North Africa region is Christian.