Poll finds most Finns think churches can do more on polarization

More than 60 percent of Finns believe churches and Christian communities could do more to ease polarization, according to a survey reported by Yle.

The survey, commissioned by the Ecumenical Council of Finland and conducted by Taloustutkimus, found that 70 percent consider social division and polarization a serious or very serious problem. One in four respondents said churches had strengthened the trend.

Respondents identified supporting disadvantaged people, reducing loneliness, communicating in ways that lessen division, promoting cooperation among Christians from different backgrounds and encouraging interfaith dialogue as key ways to curb polarization.

The survey was conducted around the turn of September and October and received responses from more than 1,100 people in Finland.