In another era, the prevailing social advice warned that it was dangerous to argue about religion and politics because people's minds were firmly made up. Today, the adventurous conversationalist might be surprised.

Americans, who used to cling to their political preference as if their identity depended upon it, lately have been changing their opinions and their political registrations. As for religion, that traditional rock of ages for so many, Americans are in fact less dogmatic than might be supposed.

That last observation finds validation in the results from a survey by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life released yesterday. It's not that religion doesn't remain a major force in American society. In the survey of more than 35,000 Americans, the survey found 92 percent believe in the existence of God or a universal spirit. Six in 10 adults believe that God is a person with whom people can have a relationship.

Yet, contrary to the stereotypes that sometimes are generated by the heat of the culture wars, the survey found that Americans have a non-dogmatic approach to their religion.

Although the idea is oftentimes contrary to the articles of their faith, fully 70 percent of religiously affiliated Americans agree with the statement that many religions -- not just their own -- can lead to eternal life. The survey found that 66 percent of Protestants believe this -- including 57 percent of those in evangelical churches -- and 79 percent of Catholics.

The survey, which can be found online at www.pewforum.org, did find that regular church attendance hardened attitudes on issues such as abortion and homosexuality. But overall the results paint a different picture of Americans and their faith than is usually apparent. It seems the national conversation can risk discussing politics and religion after all.