Want a feel for American opinions about taxes, economics, and the size and role of government? Try church. A 2010 Gallup survey revealed that perceptions of the role of God in believers' lives correlate with their perceptions of how active their government should be.

Take a broader step, and a few decades, back. Other survey results show a correlation between the faith of younger generations - the "millennials" - and their own roles in their communities. Taken together one might venture to say that regardless of particular faith or alignment, spirituality is not only alive and well; it's still in the driver's seat. You just can't put a specific label on it.

The Gallup survey linked degrees of economic conservatism with perceptions of the degree to which God meets human needs. Those who described themselves as believing in a more engaged god who "has a plan for me" were much more likely to agree that "government does too much." The same group was also more likely to oppose social programs such as unemployment benefits; ironically they were also more likely to earn less income and be less educated than those who don't believe God has a plan for them.

Those who believe in a less engaged god, who does not have an individual plan for them and is more removed from day-to-day life, tended to be less economically and politically conservative. That group was more likely to reject small government and believe that government has a Biblical duty to care for the poor. In short, the survey suggests that hands-on God equals hands-off government, and vice versa.

Now toss into this mix the American millennial generation, born 1982 to 2003, a very interesting bunch. According to Pew Research and Lifeway Christian Resources surveys reported in the Christian Science Monitor, they're less religious, but not necessarily less spiritual. It's true they go to church less; 18 percent left their parents' church and 25 percent are unaffiliated at all. Fewer than 25 percent thought it was important to marry someone of the same faith and mixed marriages are up 25 percent from 1988 to 2006. Sixty-four percent are certain God exists and 68 percent call themselves Christian (that's a puzzling 4 percent gap), while 80 percent of older Americans do.

On the other hand, these young adults are spiritual, perhaps even more so in a broader, "love-thy-neighbor" sense. This generation is less likely to tie religion with social and cultural issues, such as gender equality, sexuality, and evolution. This is also a very engaged generation, more involved than were earlier generations in service organizations such as Americorps, the Peace Corps, and the military, as well as faith-based and local nonprofits.

Millennials may not believe in doctrine as specifically, but they do translate spirituality into service. They also translate it into government service. A 2010 Hart Research Associates survey reported by the nonpartisan Center for American Progress showed that young adults have more confidence in, and believe strongly in a more active role by, their government. Yet they also share their parents' perceptions that government is poorly managed and needs reform. Millennials are also less susceptible to class divisions and are more ethnically diverse. Even young conservatives are less conservative than are their parents and less hostile to government; and about half want government to "do more to solve problems," especially poverty and education.

Overall it seems young adults would rather reform an active government than reduce it. They feel a strong sense of responsibility to the world, even if that looks different from the way older generations translate responsibility. It will be interesting to see how that reform - of government and of spirituality - will look when they reach the age of their leaders.

Sholeh Patrick is an attorney and a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Email sholehjo@hotmail.com