A majority of respondents in a national survey agreed that "classroom prayer should not be allowed in public schools." Only 33 percent of respondents in a similar survey agreed that "classroom prayer in public schools should be banned." These differing findings best illustrate the importance of

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The differing findings in the two surveys suggest that the wording of the questions had an impact on the respondents' opinions. In the first survey, the use of the phrase "not allowed" may have led respondents to believe that prayer was currently allowed and that a change was being proposed. In contrast, the use of the phrase "should be banned" in the second survey implies that prayer is currently allowed and that a prohibition is being proposed. This illustrates the importance of wording effects and how subtle changes in phrasing can influence survey results.

A Majority of Respondents in a National Survey Agreed That