Venezuelans respect leadership and are a tolerant and loving people. Extended family and friends are very important, and one should avoid doing anything that might shame them. The upper class dominates the economic structures of commerce and industry, but the middle class dominates politics. People are emotionally attached to the church (96% Roman Catholic), which gives them a sense of stability, but religion is not a strong force in daily life. Venezuelans are very proud of the fact that religious freedom is guaranteed by their constitution.