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Beyond belief
How Chicagoans feel about religion and faith, and what goes on after the service is over.
Religion is virtually omnipresent this time of year, when Christmas decorations festoon every store window and we're barraged with commercials urging us to buy holiday gifts. Even the 28 percent of Chicagoans who are non-Christian have difficulty ignoring the season. Plus, questions of beliefs dominate presidential debates, and several candidates have claimed faith as their rallying cry. All this God talk got us thinking: How do Chicagoans feel about faith? And do houses of the holy have a place for those who've felt rejected by their church or don't share their beliefs?
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Test of faith: Chicagoans answer tough questions about their faith in God (or lack thereof). |
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Altar egos: From musicals to martial arts, these religious institutions know how to get down secular-style. |
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Rainbow connection: Many LGBT Chicagoans leave their faith during their youth, only to seek out accepting congregations later in life. |
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Sunday party Sunday: Booze. Britney. The “ass Mass.” When it comes to attracting young parishioners, local holy houses go unorthodox. |
| Web-exclusive | |
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Houses of the holy: Churches, mosques and temples in Chicago. |
According to the 2002 survey conducted by the Metro Chicago Information Center, these are the predominant beliefs in Chicago:
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<div class="pub-date">December 5, 2007 </div>
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