VIENNA, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- A majority of Austrians support the view that their country is Christian and these values should be maintained in kindergartens and schools, a new survey published Friday has claimed.
The conductor of the survey, the Linz-based IMAS International, asked 1,008 people over the age of 16 for their views mainly on Christianity during June and July.
A total of 76 percent said it is important that such values be imparted on children and youths.
Persons aged 60 and over and those from country regions held this view particularly strongly.
Just under 70 percent of the survey respondents also said they are against the banning of crosses and other religious symbols in schools.
Concerning the general practice and traditions behind their religion, 19 percent of the respondents said they hold these for "very important," and a further 35 percent "somewhat important."
Despite a strong tendency toward Christianity amongst the respondents, 37 percent said the church of their religion does not mean much.
The survey also revealed that of the Christians interviewed, 44 percent said they more or less have nothing to do with the church as an institution, while 31 percent said they strongly believe in both their religion and the church.
