Family Life, Religion and Religious Practice in an Asian Adventist Context Part I: The People and Their Religious Practice

Abstract

Awareness of the impact of societal change on family and marital satisfaction led to this study of the relationships between religious belief and practice, marital and family life satisfaction and events within respondents’ lives in Asian contexts. A sample of 3379 respondents from Seventh-day Adventist congregations in Indonesia, the Philippines and Myanmar completed a questionnaire that investigated marital satisfaction; family and parenting; religiosity, religious experience and religious attitudes; personal life experience; and the contribution and potential contribution of family ministries. Both genders are approximately equally represented, most married within their religious affiliation, about a third only completed primary school education, the median age was 40.8, the median number of children was four (4). About 45% had been Adventists for more than 20 years and 75% indicated they held positions in the church. Eighty percent of the respondents attended church at least weekly, 70% engaged in family worships and the same percentage gave 10% tithe or more. Mean scale scores across the groups indicated high self-perception of internal control of beliefs; strong influences from guilt, the expectations of others and the need for approval; and high literalism and regional differences. The majority considered the family ministries department had benefited their church and could best support in the future by premarital and marital ministries; parenting education and guidance in moral decision-making. The data collected confirms the needs of the church for sensitive understanding and caring ministries to singles, couples and families, and has the potential to guide planning and decision-making for the future.