Most American teens believe in God and worship in congregations.

But their knowledge about their religions is shallow, and they have a tough time saying how their faith makes a difference in their lives, according to a new survey.

Still, the National Study of Youth and Religion concluded that "religion really does matter" to teens.

The research found that devout teens hold more traditional sexual and other values than their nonreligious counterparts and are better off in emotional health, academic success, community involvement, concern for others, trust of adults and avoidance of risky behavior.

Substantial majorities said they: Were affiliated with a local congregation (82 percent); had few or no doubts about their beliefs in the past year (80 percent); felt "extremely," "very" or "somewhat" close to God (71 percent); prayed alone a few times a week or more often (65 percent); and "definitely" believed in divine miracles from God (61 percent). Fifty-two percent said they attended worship two to three times a month or more often.

The four-year effort was conducted by 133 researchers and consultants led by sociologist Christian Smith of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Smith's new book "Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers" (Oxford University Press), written with doctoral student Melinda Lundquist Denton, will be out next week.

Many were so detached from the traditions of their faith, says the report, that they're virtually following a different creed in which an undemanding God exists mostly to solve problems and make people feel good. Truth, in any absolute, theological sense, takes a back seat.

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