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Revealing Statistics:

America in Decline

Full page and latest (8-6-08) version; for previous sectional version click here

Subtitle:

Present Costs of the War against God

As this page helps to show, an undeclared war is being waged against God which has and is costing America mightily in souls, lives and money. While these statistics help to quantify the earthly expenses of such, those who war against the Almighty will also realize a cost that is far, far worse and eternal, as souls that reject the Lord Jesus Christ cannot be allowed into Heaven, rather "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God" (Ps. 9:17)! While 81% of Americans in a recent poll said this nation is on the wrong track(New York Times/CBS News poll April 2008), few realize that this is most critically in our relationship and obedience to almighty GOD.

Statistics which help reveal the spiritual, moral, physical, and economic condition of America

The LORD does not need statistics, for “the eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Prv. 15:3), and all of our works are recorded by Him, from the first to the last. But as we should love righteousnesses and hate evil, and those who do should warn the wicked (Ezek. 33:8; Jn. 7:7; Eph. 5:11), and seek to turn many to righteousness (Dan. 12:3), and as every soul and nation shall answer for their faith and deeds (2Chr. 26:11; Mt, 25:31-46; 2Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:11-15) — and because Hell is real — it is my prayer that this study may help awaken us to “seek the LORD while He may be found,” that we may be holy ourselves and may intercede for this nation as well as for others, that as many as possible may turn from sin to the risen LORD Jesus, and find salvation through faith in Him who died for us and rose again. To God be the glory!

“If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2Chr. 7:14).

Please read first:

Statistical Compilation

This compilation of statistics (stats), began around 1999 as an informal collection of statistics for my household, by an unexperienced researcher – me! So this is not a professional or wholly authoritative compilation, and my source attribution methodology (below) was somewhat unorthodox. The statistics primarily cover from 1992 to 2008, though a few stats go back further. As I do endeavor to provide a source for every statistic, I have listed such (and or the link) from which i found the statistics directly after them. For many consecutive statistical listings from the same source I place an up arrow (^) to the aforementioned source, along with the source number which corresponds to the bibliography (^¹ ) at the end of each section. For such there is also a master list after section 16.

All statistics, unless otherwise noted, are for the United States and should allow for at least a small degree of error (i think pollsters usually allow for up to 5% error margin). You might want to do your own research, such as through an online search engine like Google for more information. Links are mostly not “hot linked,” because some sources do not want you to so link to them, due to bandwidth concerns.

All statistics here, outside those from the Government, are copyrighted, and (without permission) can only be used in "Fair Use" applications. That is, the best i understand it (feel free to correct me), for educational or commentary works, or critical reviews, and wherein only a small percentage of the entire work is quoted (and proper accreditation is provided). I believe statistics themselves are not necessarily copyrighted, but their compilation is, and permission may need to be granted when using many quotes from one source (such as Barna Research, which i did). This work itself is not to be used for commercial enterprise, and any republishing of these statistics should be credited to their listed or their most original source, if found.

Commentary

This collection is commented on from a Christian perspective, helping to reveal the spiritual condition of America, and the cost of spurning the right ways of the Lord to follow our own lusts. Overall, it indicates how the “mighty are fallen,” and warns of where America is surely heading, with the intent that we “search and try our ways and turn again to the Lord” (Lam. 3:40). And again, it is my prayer than all souls will give their sins and their life to the LORD Jesus, the Son of the living God, who gave Himself for our sins and rose again. For more on that most important decision, click HERE

Disclaimer: I DO APPRECIATE BEING ABLE TO FIND AS WELL AS PROVIDE THESE STATISTICS, BUT LINKS TO OTHER SITES DO NOT IMPLY THAT I RECOMMEND ALL OF THE CONTENT THEY OFFER, OR THE CONCLUSIONS OF THAT SOURCE. All advice or moral positions are to be examined in the light of the Word of God, the Bible (1 Thessalonians 5:21), by faith in which we find true liberty, with it's necessary and beneficial limits. Praise the Lord!

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General Church and spiritual Statistics

Most statistics in this next section are copyright from THE BARNA GROUP, LTD.1957 EASTMAN AVE. SUITE B VENTURA, CALIFORNIA 93003 UNITED STATES VOICE: (805) 639-0000 FAX: (805) 658-7298

For clarification within Barna surveys, the term “Christian” is applied to those whom Barna (in italics) says

“..consider themselves to be Christian but either do not have a 'personal commitment to Jesus Christ' or do not believe that they will experience eternal favor with God based solely on His grace and mercy.”

““Born again' Christians are those who say they 'have made a personal commitment to Christ that is important in their life today and also say that when they die they know they will go to Heaven solely because they have confessed their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their savior.'

'Evangelicals' are a subset of born again Christians in Barna surveys. In addition to meeting the born again criteria, evangelicals also meet seven other conditions. Those include saying the Bible is totally accurate in all that it teaches; their faith is very important in their life today; believing they have a personal responsibility to share their religious beliefs about Christ with non-Christians; believing that Satan exists; believing that eternal salvation is possible only through grace, not works; believing that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth; and describing God as the all-knowing, all-powerful, perfect deity who created the universe and still rules it today. Being classified as an evangelical has no relationship to church attendance or the denominational affiliation of the church they attend. Respondents were not asked to describe themselves as “evangelical.”' www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=119

• 34%of U.S. teens are defined as “born again” (1999).¹http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=Topic&TopicID=37 See also http://www.josh.org/notes/file/Internet13-Religion.pdf

• Only 4% of U.S. teens are defined as real “evangelicals” (1999). ^¹

• 82% say they are Christian (1999). ^¹

• 26% said they are “absolutely committed to the Christian faith. ^{^1}

• 83% of teens believe that moral truth depends on the circumstances. ^{^1}

• Only 4% of teens in general and 9% of born again teens actually believe in moral absolutes (2001). ^{^1}

• (65%) say that the devil, or Satan, is not a living being but is a symbol of evil. (2000). ^{^1} [See Rev. 20:10.]

• 30% of teens believe that all religions are really praying to the same God. ^¹[There are “god's many”, but only One True God and Lord. (Acts 14:15; (1 Cor. 8:5; Titus 2:13).]

• 61% agree Heaven is gained by personal merit. (2000). ^{^1} [A false gospel. Only on Christ's merit and expense, can we be saved, not on ours or a churches: Eph. 1:8-10]

• 53% ( blasphemously) say that Jesus committed sins while He was on earth.^{^1}

• Just 22% of those ages 25 to 29 attended church in the last week.^{^1}

• Only 9% of “born again” teens believe there moral absolutes." ^{^1}

• Only 57% of teens live in the same home with both of their natural parents. (1999).^{^1}

• 65% of teenagers believe music piracy is not a moral issue. (2004) ^¹

• 80% of teenagers have engaged in some type of music piracy in the past six months. ^¹

• 39% do not believe that the Bible is the Word of God. ^{^1}

• 63% do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God. ^{^1}

• 51% deny Jesus resurrection. ^{^1}

• Over 60% do not believe Christianity can be proven to be true ^¹

• 68% believe that all religions teach EQUALLY valid truths. ^{^1}

• Only 4% believe that the Bible is true in every circumstance.^{^1}

• Less than 50% of teen "Christians" assent that salvation is by grace alone though faith in Christ alone. . ©The Gallup Organization www.gallup.com/poll/tb/religValue/20030819.asp?Version=p)

• There is a 58% decline in church attendance between the ages 18 to age 29. www.barna.org/cgi-bin/PagePressRelease.asp?PressReleaseID=149&Reference=B)

• Less than 5% of the nation's churches have youth groups that attract 100 or more teenagers. http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=103

• Teens who are not raised in a family which holds to absolute Biblical truths are 600% more likely to attempt suicide. Barna Research https://give.ccci.org/give?Action=ViewDetail&Desig=2737811&SeqNo=33&pp=Browse+Fund+Appeals

• 300% of the above are more likely to experiment with drugs. ^
  http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=Topic&TopicID=37

• 75% of America’s youth (73%) have engaged in at least one type of psychic or witchcraft-related activity, beyond mere horoscope usage or media exposure (such as Harry Potter movies i assume). ^²http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrow&BarnaUpdateID=216

• More than 75% of teens have played a game featuring sorcery or witchcraft elements, 30% of teens have had their palm read, 27% had their fortune told, 14% were physically present when someone else used psychic powers, 10% participated in a séance, 9% visited a medium or spiritual guide, with the same figuring going for consulting a psychic, and 1 out of 12 had tried to cast a spell or mix a magic potion.^²

• Only 26% of evangelical teens had experimented had engaged in witchcraft or psychic activities, nearly three times less than the norm. 69% of non-evangelical born again teens and 66% of youth group attenders reported having experimented with or engaged in witchcraft or psychic activities. Denominationally, the figures were Baptists 60%, non-mainline Protestants 62%, Catholics 77%, and mainline Protestants 81%.^{^2} [see Rev. 18:2].

• The most common types of witchcraft behaviors were using a Ouija board and reading a book about witchcraft or Wicca, each of which had been done by more than one-third of teenagers. More than one-quarter of teens have played a game featuring sorcery or witchcraft elements. One-tenth of teens had participated in a séance and 1 out of 12 had tried to cast a spell or mix a magic potion.^{^2}

• More than two million teens say they have communicated with a dead person (10%). Nearly two million youth claim they have psychic powers.^{^2}

• Only one-quarter of churched teenagers (28%) recall receiving any teaching at their church in the last year that helped to shape their views on the supernatural world!^{^2}

• More than two-thirds of Protestant young adults exit the church between the ages of 18 and 22. LifeWay Research, a branch of the Southern Baptist Convention.

• An Assemblies of God study showed a loss of 66% of their students within one year of high school graduation.” http://www.onenewsnow.com/Journal/stories.aspx?id=75927

Conclusion: this generation largely has been, and is being, brought up in a way they should not go. A much smaller percentage of teens in born again churches are saved and going to Heaven than is often presumed.

¹http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=Topic&TopicID=37. See also http://www.josh.org/notes/file/Internet13-Religion.pdf

²http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrow&BarnaUpdateID=216

• 83% percent of Americans identify themselves as Christians (Catholics or Protestants), but only 49% of these individuals described themselves as absolutely committed to Christianity. http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrowPreview&BarnaUpdateID=271

• States with highest ratio of religious adherents

• 1 Utah 74.7%

• 2 North Dakota 73.2%

• 3 District Of Columbia 73.2%

• 4 South Dakota 67.8%

• ----------------------------

• 4 States with lowest ratio adherents

• 48 Alaska 34.3%

• 49 Nevada 34.3%

• 50 Washington 33.0%

• 51 Oregon 31.3%

• http://ext.nazarene.org/rcms/stateswithhighestratioadherents.html Association of Religion Data Archives www.TheARDA.com

• 49% of adults identify themselves as attenders of Protestant churches, while 23% say they attend the Catholic segment. © The Barna Group, Ltd. 2007, http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrowPreview&BarnaUpdateID=271

• The Eastern United States is the only region of the country where Protestants account for less than half (44.1%) of the population. Catholics are the best represented religious tradition in this region; claiming 35.1% of the population. ^5.5Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion - American Piety in the 21 Century – September 2006 . http://www.baylor.edu/isreligion/index.php?id=40634

• The West has the highest percentages of religiously unaffiliated people (17.6%) and people in other religious traditions (10.3%) of any U.S. Region. Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion^

• In 2002, Protestants ranked highest in percentage of total surveyed population at 52% (Baptist being the largest single denomination), followed by Catholics at 24%, then Mormons at 2%, Orthodox Catholic bodies at 1%. (20001). http://www.adherents.com/rel_USA.html.

• Catholics showed a 16% gain in membership (2000) while Mormons boasted 19%. The only other major Christian body that increased was the Southern Baptists at nearly 5 percent. ^3.5http://www.glenmary.org/grc/RCMS_2000/Catholic_findings.htm

• 71% of U.S. Catholic population growth since 1960 is due to Hispanics (2001) U.S. Census Bureau.

• 39% U.S. Catholics are Hispanic. USCCB Committee on Hispanic Affairs. Hispanic Ministry at the Turn of the New Millennium, 1999

• 72.6% of all Hispanics are Catholic (2002) Stewart Lawrence of Puentes, Inc. http://www.usccb.org/hispanicaffairs/demo.shtml

• From 1978 to 2004, there was a rapid increase in the number of Catholics in the world by more than 45 percent from almost 757 million to 1.098 billion. Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae of 2004

• More than 60% of adult Americans claim to belong to a church or synagogue. The same number believe religion "can answer all or most of today' questions, although well under half of Americans attend church regularly." Copyright © 2004 -- The Gallup Organization http://www.gallup.com/content/login.aspx?ci=1804

• only 20.4 percent of the population, or half the Gallup figure, attended church each weekend. May 6, 1998 article by C. Kirk Hadaway and P.L. Marler Did You Really Go To Church This Week: Behind the Poll Data, in The Christian Century, http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=237.

• 44% of Americans say they go to church at least once a week. http://www.religioustolerance.org/rel_rate.htm

• Almost half (49.2%) of Americans say they attend church at least once a month. 2006 Baylor Religion Survey. http://www.baylor.edu/isreligion/index.php?id=40634

• The number of Americans who do not attend church has increased 92% since 1991 http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=163

• 33 percent of adults are classified as unchurched – people who have not attended a religious service of any type (not necessarily a church) during the past six months. ³© The Barna Group, Ltd. 2007, http://www.barna.org; http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070320/26418_Study%3A_U.S._Unchurched_Population_Nears_100_Million.htm

• Only19 percent of political conservatives were likely to be unchurched versus 47 percent political liberals.

• Those least likely to be unchurched are residents in the South (26 percent) compared with residents in the West (42 percent) and Northeast (39 percent). ^³

• Ethnically, only 24 percent of African Americans were likely to be unchurched, versus 32% of white and 63% of Asians. ^³

• Religiously, 1 percent of evangelical Christians, 16 percent of “non-evangelical born-again Christians” [as if there is such a thing) and 24 percent of the “Christian” population as a whole (25% of Catholics, 20% of Protestants) were unchurched, while. 61 percent of adults who are associated with a faith outside Christianity had not attended any kind of religious service over the past 6 months. ^³

• Nearly 60% of Americans say they hold their current religious beliefs because of their parents. U.S. News & World Report, April 4, 1994, pp. 48-59

• Canadian church attendance has plunged to just above 20 percent (from a reported 60% in 1946). Fall 2002 Issue American Outlook Magazine, Hudson Institute, by John G. Stackhouse, Jr. http://www.americanoutlook.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=article_detail&id=2020

• Of the 17 religious bodies in America with 1 million or more adherents in 2000, only six showed an increase in numbers while 10 showed a decline in numbers. Muslims were not counted in 1990. Glenmary Research Centers. ^3.5http://www.glenmary.org/grc/RCMS_2000/Catholic_findings.htm

• Among the gainers, four religious bodies showed double-digit increases-- between 16 percent for Catholics and 19 percent for Latter-Day Saints (Mormons). The only other Christian body showing a gain was the Southern Baptist Convention at nearly 5 percent.^^3.5

• It can be noted that, except for Catholics, all those bodies gaining members between 1990 and 2000 generally are considered “Conservative Protestants,” while most of those showing a decrease in number of adherents generally are considered “Moderate” or “Liberal” Protestants.^^3.5

• In every state, the percent Catholic growth from 1990 to 2000 was very substantially greater than the general population growth [including a 45 percent increase in Arkansas and 111 percent increase in Nevada.] ^^3.5

• Just a third of persons in Evangelical Protestant congregations and denominations (32.6%) refer to themselves as “Evangelical.” ^5.5Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion - American Piety in the 21 Century – September 2006 . http://www.baylor.edu/isreligion/index.php?id=40634

• Only 15 percent of the population use the term “Evangelical” to describe their religious identity and barely two in 100 Americans say it is the best description. Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion ^

• Only 7% of US adults qualify as “evangelicals” (2004) [see criteria under first section].⁴© The Barna Group, Ltd. http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=Topic&TopicID=2

• 38% of US adults classify as born again, but not evangelical. (2004).^⁴

• 11% of the US population identify with a faith other than Christianity (2004).^⁴

• At latest count, there were 1,210 Protestant churches in the United States with a weekly attendance of 2,000 people or more. The four states with the greatest concentrations of megachurches were California (14 percent), Texas (13 percent), Florida (7 percent), and Georgia (6 percent). http://www.hirr.hartsem.edu/megachurch/megachurches.html

• 600,000 active and retired, civilian and military, clergy serve in various denominations in the United States. The Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches http://www.electronicchurch.org http://hirr.hartsem.edu/research/fastfacts/fast_facts.html

• The average mainline pastor spent 50.8 hours a week at work. God’s Potters: Pastoral Leadership and the Shaping of Congregations, by Jackson Carroll, (W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2006). http://hirr.hartsem.edu/research/fastfacts/fast_facts.html

• Atheists and agnostics comprise 9% of adults nationwide (2007); 6% of souls over 61, 9% of those ages 42-60, 14% of those 23-41, and 19% of those 18-22. Indications from the past indicate that these beliefs stay fairly constant through life. http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrowPreview&BarnaUpdateID=272

• 28% of American adults have left the faith of their childhood, not including those who switched from one Protestant denomination to another. 10% of all these were Catholics [losses mostly replaced with immigrants] Jehovah's Witnesses [so-called] had the highest losses, with a turnover rate of about two-thirds. Beacon Journal wire services. http://www.ohio.com/news/nation/15973167.html

• Persons aged 18-30 are three times more likely to have no religious affiliation (18.6%) than are persons aged 65 or older (5.4%). ^5.5Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion - American Piety in the 21 Century – September 2006 . http://www.baylor.edu/isreligion/index.php?id=40634

• The number of American adults who identify themselves with Christianity has dropped from 86% in 1990 to 77% in 2001. ARIS Study American Religious Identification Survey was conducted in February to April 2001.

• Christianity in America has suffered a loss of 9.7 percentage points in 11 years -- about 0.9 percentage points per year. If this trend continues, then by about the year 2042, non-Christians will outnumber the Christians in the U.S. Diana Eck, A New Religious America: How a 'Christian Country' Has Become the World's Most Religiously Diverse Nation, 2001). http://www.letusreason.org/Current30.htm

• Hartford Seminary report the number of Muslim places of worship grew by 42 percent in America between 1990 and 2000, compared with the 12 percent average increase for evangelical churches

• The the number of Islamic mosques in America has increased 25% since 1994. Council on American-Islamic Relations

• By 2050, Muslims are expected to outnumber Protestants in the U.S (includes so-called “Nation of Islam” Muslims). Secrets of Islam: US News and World Report

• Adherents to Buddhism has increase 170% from 1990 to 2001. (Science and Spirit, September/October 2002. Discipleship Journal, March/April 2003, pg. 14).

• The fastest growing religion percentage wise is Wicca. Going from 8,000 in 1990 to 134,000 in 2001. Doubling about every 30 months. (American Religious Identification Survey, done by The Graduate Center of the City University of New York).

• Paranormal beliefs are most prevalent in eastern states, with the highest percentages of agreement on eight of the 10 belief questions. Southerners are the least receptive to the paranormal, with the lowest percentages on six of the 10 items. ^5.5Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion - American Piety in the 21 Century – September 2006 . http://www.baylor.edu/isreligion/index.php?id=40634

• 85-90% of Americans routinely respond “yes” when asked “Do you, personally, believe in God?” ^³

• Nearly three fourths of Americans (71.5%) say they pray pray at least once a week. ^³

• 91% of all households own at least one Bible. 1998 Barna Research: 1998 http://webminister.com/growth01/plan0031.htm

• 38% read the Bible during a typical week, not including when they are at church. Barna Research: 1998 http://webminister.com/growth01/plan0031.htm

• The King James Version is more likely to be the Bible read during the week than is the NIV by a 5:1 ratio. Barna Research: 1998 http://webminister.com/growth01/plan0031.htm

• 48% of all shoppers who set out to buy a Bible leave the bookstore without buying one. Often because they are overwhelmed by hundreds of study, devotional and specialty Bibles. Zondervan Publishing study, USA Today, February 21, 2000 http://youthtools.ibelieve.com/content.asp?SID=12&CID=247

• 59% of Americans "say they read the Bible at least on occasion [down from 73% in the 1980's]. The most likely readers are women, nonwhites, older people, Republicans, and political conservatives." 16% say they read the Bible every day, 41% of Americans say they rarely or never read the Bible. Gallup Poll 2000 Copyright © 2004 -- The Gallup Organization http://www.gallup.com/content/login.aspx?ci=2416

• 80% of Americans polled said the Bible was the most influential book in history. Barna Research 1998. Printed in USA Today, May 27, 1998

• And est. 168,000 new Bibles are sold, given away, or otherwise distributed in the United States per day through Wycliffe International, the Society of Gideons, and the International Bible Society.

• BIBLE STATISTICS:

• Number of books in the Bible: 66

• Chapters: 1,189

• Verses: 31,101

• Words: 783,137

• Letters: 3,566,480

• Number of promises given in the Bible: 1,260

• Commands: 6,468

• Predictions: over 8,000

• Fulfilled prophecy: 3,268 verses

• Unfulfilled prophecy: 3,140

• Number of questions: 3,294

• The number of Number of Arabic Words in the Quran is 77,439 [77,473 in English] (reported byAl-Fadl bin Shadhan as said by ‘Ata bin Yasar).

• 48% think that the United States has had special protection from God for most of its history. http://people-press.org/reports/print.php3?PageID=386

• 67% of adult Americans "used at least one of three forms of religious media - radio, television or books." "Overall more than half of the nation's adults said they had tuned in to a Christian radio program of some type during the past month." In addition, 43% of adults polled "said they had watched some Christian programming on television during the past month." (Barna Research Group of Ventura, California. http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=116).

• $8.8 billion worth of goods and services that churches are giving overseas to developing countries. Thisfigure nearly 40 percent of the foreign aid provided by the United States to the same region. U.S. foreign aid to those same countries is $23.5 billion. Carol Adelman of the Hudson Institute, from Notre Dame University study. http://www.onenewsnow.com/Church/Default.aspx?id=118566

• On average, weekly churchgoers donate 3.8% of their income to charity, compared to 0.8% for those who never go. Independent Sector (charitable clearing house): Atheists won't save Europe by Don Feder; http://www.frontpagemagazine.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=27937

• Church members gave 2.56 percent of their income in 2004, down from 3.11 percent in 1968. Only 15% was for ministry outside the church. id=40634Empty Tomb Inc.http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20061012-105326-4799r.htm October 13, 2006

• 3© The Barna Group, Ltd. 2007,. http://www.barna.org; http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070320/26418_Study%3A_U.S._Unchurched_Population_Nears_100_Million.htm

• 3.5Glenmary Research Center s http://www.glenmary.org/grc/RCMS_2000/Catholic_findings.htm

• 4http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=Topic&TopicID=2

• 5.5Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion - American Piety in the 21 Century – September 2006 . http://www.baylor.edu/isreligion/index.php?

• 59% of Americans polled said religion is very important in their lives (75% in 1952). By categories: 52% of men, 66% of women , Whites 66 %, Blacks 82 %. Hispanics 66% 68% percent of self-identified conservatives, 56% of moderates, and 49 percent of liberals said religion was very important to them. Gallup survey 1999.Copyright ©2004 The Gallup Organization http://www.mfc.org/contents/article.asp?id=139 See also Steve Crabtree, “Black Churches: Has Their Role Changed?” Gallup Tuesday Briefing; Religion & Values, May 14, 2002, Copyright © 2004 -- The Gallup Organization http://www.gallup.com/poll/content/login.aspx?ci=5998

• 69% [2003?] of those who attend church ‘nearly weekly’ say premarital sex is morally acceptable (Gallup Poll) Copyright © 2004 -- The Gallup Organization. www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/2003-07-23-zelizer_x.htm

• 45% of so-called “born again” Americans says gambling is a “morally acceptable behavior.” http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=152

• More than 30% of so-called "born again" adults say that "co-habitation, gay sex, sexual fantasies, breaking the speed limit or watching sexually-explicit movies are morally acceptable behaviors.” Barna Research 2001. http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=103

• 33% of [so-called] "born again" adults support the legalization of same-gender sexual relations. Barna Research 2001.^

• 48 percent of Americans agree homosexual behavior is a sin is a sin, 45 percent said they don't believe homosexuality is sinful LifeWay Research study, released Wednesday. 2008 LifeWay Research study. http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080606/survey-americans-divided-on-homosexuality-as-sin.htm

• 13 percent of Americans do not believe at all in the concept of sin. But, a majority of Americans (87%), however, do believe in this concept and they include adultery (81%), racism (74%), use of hard drugs (65%), failing to say anything if they're given too much change by a cashier (63%), having an abortion (56%), cheating on their taxes (52%) and homosexual activity (52%) as sin. "Sin" was defined in the research as "something that is almost always considered wrong, particularly from a religious or moral perspective." Ellison Research, March 11, 2008 http://ellisonresearch.com/releases/20080311.htm http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080312/study-behaviors-americans-consider-sinful.htm

• Other behaviors with significant moral objections included reading or watching pornography (50 percent); swearing (46 percent); sex before marriage (45 percent); harming the environment as a consumer (41 percent); smoking marijuana (41 percent); getting drunk (41 percent); and not taking proper care of your body (35 percent) . ^Ellison Research, March 11, 2008

• 94 percent of political conservatives, and 94 percent of Americans who regularly attend religious worship services believe there is such a thing as sin, versus only 77 percent of political liberals and 80 percent among those who do not attend services. ^Ellison Research, March 11, 2008

• 90 percent of evangelicals believe getting drunk is sinful behavior, compared to 35 percent of all other Americans, and 92 percent of evangelicals believe sex before marriage is sinful, versus 39 percent of all other Americans. ^Ellison Research, March 11, 2008

• 80% of adults classified as “born again” have been married. http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=170

• 27% of people identified as Christians and 23% of non-Christians have been divorced. Statistics Concerning the State of America. http://freedomministries.com/outlinestats.htm

• 34% of “born again” adults have been divorced after their conversion. http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=170

• 87% of Americans polled said that "their religious faith is very important in their life today." ^4.5http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=160

• Only 50% of Christians say they are absolutely “absolutely committed” to the Christian faith.^^4.5

• 77% of Americans are associated with the Christian faith.12% claim to be atheist or agnostic, with the remaining 11% being aligned with some other faith group.^^4.5

• Though upwards to 38% of Americans are classified as "born again," a more precise analysis shows only 7% of the adult U.S. population being "evangelical" (John 3:3:-7: see descriptions above in first section).This is down from 12% in 1992 [The two must be synonymous to be Biblical.] ^^4.5

• 99% of those in the camp of evangelicals said they were happy, with 91% saying they were satisfied with their present life Only 8% said they were "lonely," "in serious debt" (9%) or "stressed out" (16%).⁵http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=119

• 94% of the above described themselves as "absolutely committed to Christianity. 96% of evangelicals say they possess "traditional or family-oriented values," and 64% say they are "mostly conservative on political and social issues."Only 8% said they were lonely, "in serious debt" (9%), or "stressed out" (16%). ^⁵

• 57% of those who are affiliate themselves with a non-Christian group say they are "deeply spiritual." 87% of such non-Christian religious [in America] claim to be happy with their life . 56% said they were concerned about the future and 68% about the moral condition of the U.S.^⁵

• 92% of Americans says they believe in God; 85% in Heaven and 82% in miracles.^⁵

• 42% of atheists and agnostics (who make up 9 % of the American adult population) claimed to be stressed out , 14% said they were lonely, and 68% concerned about the future. 4% describe themselves as being conservative, 2% as being politically liberal, and 71% as having traditional or family-oriented values. 60% were concerned about America's moral state.^⁵

• Appprox. 1 in 3 Muslim students in the U.K believe killing in the name of religion is justified, and back the idea of a worldwide Islamic caliphate based on sharia law. 40 per cent support introduction of sharia into British law for Muslims Centre for Social Cohesion http://www.socialcohesion.co.uk

• Religious citizens who make $49,000 gave away about 3.5 times as much money as secular citizens with the same income. They also volunteered twice as often, are 57 percent more likely to help homeless persons, and two-thirds more likely to give blood at their workplace. Arthur C. Brooks' Who Really Cares. http://www.christianitytoday.com/bc/2008/001/8.11.html

• Atheists and agnostics are more likely to be into new technology than active faith persons (64% versus 52%), and on acquiring wealth (10% versus 2%), and less likely to be "active in the community" (41% versus 68%), or to personally help or serve a homeless or poor person (41% versus 61%), and much less likely to donate to charitable causes ($200.00 versus $1500.00 in 2006). Barna Research; http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrowPreview&BarnaUpdateID=272

• 87% of Americans say the universe was originally created by God. http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=Topic&TopicID=2 (2000)

• 29% of Americans strongly endorse that they should share their faith. http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrowPreview&BarnaUpdateID=271

• Evangelism: 23% of church – going born again persons said they shared their faith in Jesus Christ with a non-Christian during the past year. http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=147

• Only 66% – down from 71 a year ago (2006) – of Americans perceive God to be "the all-powerful, all-knowing, perfect creator of the universe who still rules the world today." the lowest percentage in more than twenty years of similar Barna surveys. http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrowPreview&BarnaUpdateID=271

• (Assemblies of God attenders in 2005(?) at 96% had the highest affirmation of the above fact: http://www.vny.com/cf/News/upidetail.cfm?QID=198421).

• 47% percent of respondents replied that they believed in a special, recent creation of man by God. Gallup Poll November 28, 1991 reported in http://www.icr.org/pubs/btg-b/btg-038b.htm. Copyright © 2004 -- The Gallup Organization

• 80% say the Bible specifically says that God helps those who help themselves [it doesn't]. Barna Research 1998. Printed in USA Today, May 27, 1998 http://webminister.com/growth01/plan0031.htm

• 27% say they believe that the Bible represents the actual word of God in all instances. In 1963 the comparable figure was 65%. Copyright © 2004 Gallup Organization, who conducted for the American Bible Society in October 2000.

• 45% of Americans say they believe the Bible to be accurate in all all the principles it teaches. http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrowPreview&BarnaUpdateID=271

• 60% of adults contend that Satan does not exist but is merely a “symbol of evil.”^^4.5

• 40% of Americans [sadly] do not believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.^^4.5

• 55% of all adults say that a good person can earn a place in Heaven.^^4.5

• 60% of adults believe that Satan is not a living being but is only a “symbol of evil.”^^4.5

• 66% of Americans indicate they believe Jesus Christ committed sins during His time on earth (only 33% strongly disagree). http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrowPreview&BarnaUpdateID=271.

• (83%) said they had prayed in the last week. http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrowPreview&BarnaUpdateID=271

• More than 55% of Americans say Heaven can be earned by good works [which eliminates them as being born again Christians.] Barna Research 1998. Printed in USA Today, May 27, 1998, http://webminister.com/growth01/plan0031.htm

• Only 22% of of American adults had volunteered free time to help a church or some other type of non-profit (23%) in the last week.

• 39% say Jesus did not have a physical resurrection [likewise disallowing saving faith]. Barna Research. http://webminister.com/growth01/plan0031.htm

• 39% say all religions teach equally valid truths. Barna Research

• 79% of Americans agreed with the statement “every person has a soul that will live forever, either in God’s presence or absence.” ⁶http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=150

• 24% admitted that they have ”no idea” what will happen after they die. ^ (Those who felt their eternal future is undefined were most likely to be Hispanics, singles, men, atheists and agnostics, residents of the West, and 18- and 19-year-olds). ^⁶

• Only one-half of 1% expect to go to Hell upon their death.^⁶

• Of those who expect to go to Heaven, 43% believe they will go to Heaven because they have “confessed their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. ” 15% felt they will get to Heaven because “they have tried to obey the 10 Commandments” while 15% hope to go because “they are basically a good person”. 6% believed their entrance to Heaven would be based upon the fact that “God loves all people and will not let them perish.”^⁶

• 34% (and increasing) believe that it is possible to communicate with the dead^⁶

• The most common paranormal experience in the United States is having a dream that later came true. More than 40 percent (43%) of Americans claim to have had this experience. Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion - American Piety in the 21 Century – September 2006 . http://www.baylor.edu/isreligion/index.php?id=40634

• 48% of adult Americans believe God is a Spirit or power that can take on a human form, 27% believe He cannot. (USA Today, October 24, 2003, pg. A1)

• 44% of Americans say that Islam is more likely to encourage violence than other religions, up from 25% in the March 2002 poll.” The Pew Research Center and The Pew Forum, July 24, 2003, www.people-press.org).

• Favorable views of Muslim-Americans rose from 45% in March 1991 to 59% in December 2001. Pew Research Center for the People & the Press

• 4.5http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=160

• 5http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=119

• 6http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=150

• Of all specific religious denominations world wide, the largest evangelical Christian denomination is the Assemblies of God (#7 overall), followed by the Southern Baptists (#12). http://www.adherents.com/adh_rb.html#Evangelische