Revealing Statistics: America in Decline
Subtitle: Present Costs of the War against God
This page is only one of 18 sections of an extensive collection of statistics testifying to the above. See and read the main page here with the Table of Contents, by God's grace.
Sec. 4 |
Differences among Denominations |
For a more recent, fuller, and better organized comparison mainly between Catholics and Evangelicals, see HERE |
Protestants remain the largest religious segment of America, claiming 56% of the adult population. Catholics represent about 22%, atheists and agnostics are about 7%, and Mormons are just under 2%. Barna Research 2001 8http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=93 See also http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=Topic&TopicID=15
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
The largest U.S. religious denomination (2001) using (or abusing) the name Christian is the Roman Catholic system, followed by the Baptists (2), Methodists (3), Lutheran (4), Presbyterian (5), Pentecostal/Charismatic (6), Episcopalian/Anglican (7) Mormons (8) Churches of Christ (9) Congregational/UCC (10) Watchtower Society (11) Assemblies of God (12) http://www.adherents.com/rel_USA.html
[2009] Since the 1950's mainline churches have declined from more than 80,000 churches to about 72,000 today, with only about 15% of all American adults associating with a mainline church. 35% of mainline attenders are 60-plus. 31% of mainline adults believe they have a personal responsibility to discuss their faith with people who have different beliefs. Volunteerism in these churches is down by an 21% since 1998. 49% describe themselves as “absolutely committed to Christianity.” 51% are willing to try a new church. 67% are open to pursuing faith in environments or structures that are different from those of a typical church. 72% say they are more likely to develop own religious beliefs than to adopt those taught by their church. 86% sense that God is motivating people to stay connected to Him through different means and experiences than in the past. Barna Research, December 7, 2009 http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/17-leadership/323-report-examines-the-state-of-mainline-protestant-churches?q=adults+identify+themselves+attenders+protestant+churches
The percentage of mainline Senior female Pastors in mainline churches has risen dramatically, from 15% to 21% in the last 10 years (9% is the Natl. average). Barna Research, December 7, 2009 ^
Only 8% of Senior Pastors say they have the gift of evangelism, just 12% the spiritual gift of leadership; but 66% say they have the gift of teaching or preaching. Barna Research 2001.http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=103
47% of mainline churches were described by their pastor as Wesleyan/Arminian, while 29% of mainline congregations were in the Calvinist/Reformed category. (Mainline churches include American Baptist Churches, Evangelical Lutheran Churches in America, the Episcopal Church, the United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church USA, and United Church of Christ.) Among non-mainline churches, 35% were Reformed, with 30% of the non-mainline pastors identifying as Wesleyan/Arminian. 31% of pastors who lead churches within traditionally charismatic or Pentecostal denominations were described as Reformed, while 27% identified as Wesleyan/Arminian. 17% of pastors in the Calvinist/Reformed category described themselves as "theologically liberal," versus 13% among Wesleyan/Arminian leaders. http://www.barna.org/faith-spirituality/447-reformed-movement-in-american-churches
49% of evangelical adults fit the charismatic definition, with 7% of Southern Baptist churches and 6% of mainline churches being charismatic, according to their Senior Pastors, 9% of whom are female (same as non-charismatic). 36% of all U.S. Catholics, and 22% of all charismatics in the U.S. identify as Catholic. Barna research, 2008 http://www.barna.org/congregations-articles/52-is-american-christianity-turning-charismatic
51% of all born again Christians are charismatic, with 46% of all adults who attend a Protestant church identifying with that. 16% of the country's white Protestant congregations are Pentecostal, compared to 65% of the Protestant churches dominated by African-Americans. Barna research, 2008
According to the Pew Forum survey, (http://pewforum.org/newassets/images/reports/multiplefaiths/multiplefaiths.pdf), which was conducted Aug. 11-27-09 among 4,013 adults:
33% Protestants attend services outside their own denomination, with 40% of black Protestants, 24% of white Evangelicals and 22% of white mainline Protestants attending other Protestant denominations. 18 percent of Protestants overall indicated that they attend non-Protestant services, with 19% of black Protestants, 13% of white Evangelicals, and 14% of mainline Protestants occasionally attending Catholic Mass. ^
20% of Catholics answered that they attended services of at least one faith outside Catholicism, with 18% of Catholics overall and 16% of white Catholics saying they attend Protestant services. 5% report attending services at Jewish synagogues. ^
24% of the public overall and 22% of Christians say they believe in reincarnation -- that people will be reborn in this world again and again. And 25% of the public overall, and 23% of Christians believe in astrology. ^
Only 10% white Evangelicals reported they believed in reincarnation, compared with 24% among mainline Protestants, 25% among both white Catholics and those unaffiliated with any religion, and 29% among black Protestants. Similarly, 13% of white Evangelicals believe in astrology, compared with roughly 25% or more among other religious faiths. ^
Evangelical and mainline Protestants who reported they attend church weekly showed far lower levels of belief in reincarnation, yoga, the existence of spiritual energy in physical things and astrology, as compared with those who attend religious services less often. In contrast, the frequency of church attendance by Catholics showed had far less effect in deterring these kinds of beliefs, although those who attended church less faithfully did express higher percentages of faith in astrology. ^
Beliefs reincarnation, yoga, the existence of spiritual energy in physical things and astrology are more common among Democrats and independents than Republicans, and are more widely held by liberals and moderates than conservatives, especially as concerns belief in yoga as a spiritual practice, with 39% of liberals expressing this belief (39%), in contrast to only 15% of conservatives. Conservatives and Republicans also report fewer experiences than liberals or Democrats communicating with the dead, seeing ghosts and consulting fortunetellers or psychics. ^
The least likely to say they have felt in contact with a dead person were Evangelical Protestants at 20%, versus 37% of black Protestants, 35% of white Catholics, along with 31% of the unaffiliated and 29% of white mainline Protestants. ^
65% of American adults expressed belief in or reported of having experience with at least one of 8 different manifestations of supernatural phenomena: 1. reincarnation; 2. spiritual energy located in physical things; 3. yoga as spiritual practice; 4. the "evil eye;" 5. astrology; 6; having been in touch with the dead; 7. having consulted a psychic; 8. having experiencing a ghostly encounter. This includes 23% of the general population who reported having only one of these beliefs or experiences, while 43% of the people surveyed answered two or more of these items affirmatively. ^
50% of black Protestants , 48% of the religiously unaffiliated, 47% of Catholics answered yes to two or more of these items, as do 43% of white mainline Protestants, while 53% of white Evangelicals answered no to all eight questions. ^
49% of the public reported that they have had a religious or mystical experience, defined as a "moment of sudden religious insight or awakening." ^
Differences among Protestants are revealing. 70% of white Evangelicals and 71% of black Protestants stated they have had religious or mystical experiences, versus 40% of mainline Protestants and 37% of Catholics. ^
Of the 78% who identified themselves as Christian, 34% described themselves as born again, while 40% did not. ^
Among churches polled, the highest percentages of “born again believers” were found in the Assemblies of God (81%), then other Pentecostal/Foursquare churches (80%), non-denominational Protestant churches (76%), and Baptist churches (67%). 7 http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/53
Catholics*, at 25%, represented the the lowest number of born again believers among the 12 largest denominational groupings in America. ^7 (Only 1% of Catholics fit Barna's definition of Evangelical. ^7)
27% of adults who say they are Evangelicals are not even born again, based upon their beliefs. http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrowPreview&BarnaUpdateID=263
Among 7,441 Protestant pastors. Asked if they believed that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God: 87% of Methodists said no. 95% of Episcopalians said no. 82% of Presbyterians said no. 67% of American Baptists said no. [All these are known liberal churches] Pulpit Helps, December 1987
81% of Pentecostal/Foursquare believers strongly agree that the Bible is totally accurate in all that it teaches, followed by 77% of Assemblies of God believers, and ending with 26% of Catholics and 22% of Episcopalians. 7http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/53
73% (highest) of Pentecostal/Foursquare believers strongly affirm that Christ was sinless on earth, with Catholics, Lutherans and Methodists being tied at 33%, and the lowest being among Episcopalians with just 28% ^7
64% of those in Assemblies of God churches (versus only 9% of Catholics) strongly DISAGREE that if a person is generally good, or does enough good things for others they will earn a place in Heaven [salvation on the basis of merit]. (See Romans 3-5, Eph. 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5, etc.). ^7
Among 12 groups 56% of Assemblies of God Christians strongly DISAGREE that Satan is just a symbol of evil [rather than a real being], versus 17% of Catholics. ^7
67% of those in Christian non-denominational churches 66% of those in Pentecostal/Foursquare churches said they were absolutely committed to Christianity, with Methodists (47%), Episcopalians (46%) and Catholics (43%) showing the lowest. ^7
On questions about Christianity in 2010, which included various questions about the Bible, Mormons (7.9 out of 12 right on average) and white evangelical Protestants (7.3 correct on average) showed the highest levels of knowledge. Jews (7.9 out of 11) and atheists/agnostics (7.4) had the best grades on questions about other world religions, including Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Judaism. White mainline Protestants scored 5.8 and 4.9 respectively, and white Catholics scored 5.9 and 5.1. The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, “U.S. Religious Knowledge Survey,” Spet. 28. 2010 http://pewforum.org/Other-Beliefs-and-Practices/U-S-Religious-Knowledge-Survey.aspx
In addition to the above, two-thirds of people surveyed (67%) incorrectly indicated that they believe that public school teachers are not permitted to read from the Bible as an example of literature.^
Bible Reading: the highest was 75%, by those going to a Pentecostal/Foursquare church who reported they had read the Bible during the past week (besides at church), while the lowest was among Catholics at 23%. (2001) 8 http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/54
Volunteer church work (during past 7 days): Assemblies of God were highest at 30%, with the lowest going to Catholics at 12%.^8
Prayer: 97% of those who attend a Pentecostal church, and 88% of Catholics said they had prayed in the past week, with the lowest being those who attended an Adventist church (79%). ^8
Donating Money (during the last month): Church of Christ churches were the highest at 29%, with Catholics being the lowest at 12%.^8
American Evangelicals gave four times as much, per person, to churches as did all other church donors in 2001. 88 percent of Evangelicals and 73 percent of all Protestants donated to churches. John Ronsvalle and Sylvia Ronsvalle, The State of Church Giving through 2004: Will We Will? 16th ed. (Champaign, Ill.: Empty Tomb, 2006),12. http://www.generousgiving.org/stats#
Among Evangelicals, almost 90 cents of every donated dollar goes to their churches. The proportion drops, however, as people's spiritual intensity and commitment to Christ decline. George Barna, quoted in Survey Finds Americans More Generous Last Year, press release by World Vision, July 22, 2002. http://www.generousgiving.org/stats#
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
The highest percentage of those who strongly agree they have a personal responsibility to share their faith was found among believers in Pentecostal/Foursquare churches (73%). Catholics (17%) and Episcopalians (12%) were the lowest. [Independent Fundamental Baptists, who usually are the most committed in this, were grouped with other baptists]. 7http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/53
By denomination, 61% of the those associated with an Assemblies of God church said they had shared their faith at least once during the past year, as did 61% of those who attend a Pentecostal/Foursquare church, and ending 14% among Episcopalians and just 10% among Roman Catholics.8 http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/54
Weekly Church attendance: Evangelicals showed the highest participation of approx 60 percent (30% more than once a week). Catholics were at 45 percent (9% more than once a week), and Jews 15 percent. Gallup poll. between 2002 and 2005. http://www.christianpost.com/article/20060418/weekly-attendance-highest-among-Evangelical-churches.htm
71% of Mormons, 69% of those associated with Assembly of God churches, and 66% of other Pentecostal churches and 61% of those in non-denominational Protestant churches were the most likely to have attended in the past week. Catholics registered at 48%, while at 30%, those going to an Episcopal church were least likely to attend a church service in the past week. ^8
See HERE for church attendance (based on adults who attended a church service in the past week) by Denomination (Assemblies of God: 69%; Catholic: 48.5% Episcopal/Anglican: 30%)
Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey (2008) of regular churchgoers found that, |
39 percent of Catholics affirmed not attending church is a sin, versus 23 percent of Protestants. Ellison Research, March 11, 2008 http://ellisonresearch.com/releases/20080311.htm http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080312/study-behaviors-americans-consider-sinful.htm
Weekly attendance among Protestants has been fairly steady over the past six decades, averaging 42% in 1955 versus 45% in the middle of the current decade. However, attendance among Roman Catholics dropped from 75% to 45% over the same period. Gallup poll published April 10, 2009, http://www.gallup.com/poll/117382/Church-Going-Among-Catholics-Slides-Tie-Protestants.aspx
Among those who converted to a Christian denomination, 42% of Roman Catholic converts, 43% of Episcopalian converts, 44% of those to Lutheranism, 48% of those to Methodism, 50% of those to the Presbyterian church, 60% of Baptist converts, 60% of Non-denominational converts, and 73% of of converts to Pentecostal churches reported they attend services weekly. http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=482
Sunday school: at 35%, of those in Pentecostal church attended a Sunday school class at a church during past 7 days, followed by Baptists (any type) at 30%, while Roman Catholics were last at 6%. 8 http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/54
Catholics and Mainline Protestants tend towards more belief in a more Distant God. Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion - American Piety in the 21 Century – September 2006 . Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion - American Piety in the 21 Century – September 2006 . http://www.baylor.edu/content/services/document.php/33304.pdf
Evangelical Protestants and Black Protestants tend towards belief in a more Authoritarian God. ^Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion
Jews tend towards belief in a Distant God and over 8% of Jews in the sample report being atheists. ^Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion
Thirty percent of Protestants listed God as their most important connection (relationship) versus 9% of Catholics. Barna, 2008 http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/13-culture/44-americans-identify-their-most-important-relationships
Political conservatives were almost three times as likely as political liberals to identify God as their most important relationship (33% vs. 12%, respectively). ^
50 percent of Protestants affirmed gambling was a sin, versus 15 percent of Catholics; that getting drunk was a sin: 63 percent of Protestants, 28 percent of Catholics; gossip: 70 percent to 45 percent: homosexual activity or sex: 72 percent to 42 percent. Ellison Research, March 11, 2008 http://ellisonresearch.com/releases/20080311.htm http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080312/study-behaviors-americans-consider-sinful.htm
39 percent of Roman Catholics and 79 percent of born-again, Evangelical or fundamentalist Americans affirm that homosexual behavior 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
79 percent of American Jews, 58 percent of Catholics and 56 percent of mainline Protestants favor acceptance of homosexuality, versus 39 percent of members of historically black churches, 27 percent of Muslims and 26 percent of the Evangelical Protestants. U.S. 7.5U.S. Religious landscape survey; right &; 2008 The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. http://religions.pewforum.org/comparisons#
83% of those in Mainline Churches, 79% of Catholics, 72% of Orthodox, and 57% in Evangelical Churches affirmed "Many religions can lead to eternal life." ^7.5
Evangelical Churches (79%) had the highest percentage of souls who affirmed religion was very important in One's Life, with Unaffiliated (includes Atheists and Agnostics) being the lowest (16%). ^7.5
Evangelical Churches (17%), had the lowest percentage of souls aged 18-29, versus Unaffiliated (31%), Muslims (29%), Historically Black Churches (24%), Mormons (24%) and Other Faiths (24%). Mainline Churches had the greater percentage (23%) of souls 65 and older. ^7.5
82% of Mainline Churches, 77% of Catholics and 53% of Evangelical Churches affirmed, "There is MORE than one true way to interpret the teachings of my religion." ^7.5
Orthodox (29%), Mainline Churches (28%), and Catholics (27%) led Christian Churches in affirming that the Scriptures were written by men and were not the word of God, versus Historically Black Churches (9%), and Evangelical Churches (7%) who rightly affirm its full inspiration of God. ^7.5
The majority (64%) of Evangelical and Historically Black Churches (46%) affirmed "Homosexuality is a way of life that should be discouraged by society", while the majority (58%) of Catholics, and Mainline Churches (56%) favored it's acceptance by society,as did Other Faiths (84%) Buddhists (82%) and Jews (79%). ^7.5
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 http://ellisonresearch.com/releases/20080311.htm http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080312/study-behaviors-americans-consider-sinful.htm
40% Roman Catholics vs. 41% Non-R.C. see abortion as "morally acceptable"; Sexual relations between unmarried couples (fornication): 67% vs. 57%; Baby out of wedlock: 61% vs. 52%; Homosexual relations: 54% vs. 45%; Gambling: 72% vs. 59% http://www.gallup.com/poll/117154/Catholics-Similar-Mainstream-Abortion-Stem-Cells.aspx
Committed Roman Catholics (church attendance weekly or almost) versus Non-R.C.: Abortion: 24% R.C. vs. 19% Non-R.C.; Sexual relations between unmarried couples: 53% vs. 30%; Baby out of wedlock: 48% vs. 29%; Homosexual relations: 44% vs. 21%; Gambling: 67% vs. 40%; Divorce: 63 vs. 46% http://www.gallup.com/poll/117154/Catholics-Similar-Mainstream-Abortion-Stem-Cells.aspx
50% of Evangelicals considered themselves Republican or leaned toward that party, 34% Democratic or leaned thereto; 9% Independents. 7.5http://religions.pewforum.org/comparisons#
48% of Catholics considered themselves Democrats or leaned toward that party, 33% Republican or leaned thereto; 10% Independent. ^7.5
65% of Jews and 63% of Muslims considered themselves Democrats or leaned toward that party, 23% 11%, respectively, Republican or leaned thereto ^7.5
88% of Evangelicals voted for Sen. McCain in 2008, compared to just 11% for Sen. Obama. 40% of Evangelicals said it was because of the candidate’s position on moral issues. Only 9% of other voters listed that as their driving reason. Other significant reasons for Evangelical voters included their candidate’s political experience (23%) and his character (15%). http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrow&BarnaUpdateID=321
Based upon exit polling, 74 percent of Evangelicals voted for McCain in 2008, with 25 percent for Obama. (Another measure put the percentage of evangelicals at 23 percent, with 73 percent voting for McCain, 26 percent for Obama.) http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=367
Catholics overall supported Obama over McCain by a nine-point margin (54% vs. 45%) http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=367
52% of white Catholics who were regular Mass-attenders voted for McCain, 47% for Obama, while non-practicing Catholics went 61% to 37% for the latter. Just 17% of Evangelicals who attended church once a week supported Obama, while 37% of white evangelicals who attended services less frequently supported him. http://pewforum.org/Politics-and-Elections/How-Church-Attendance-Affects-Religious-Voting-Patterns.aspx
Only 20% of observant white evangelicals voted for Obama, based upon 2008 Pew research exit polls, with 40% of observant white Catholics joining them, along with 94% of black Protestants overall. http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1697/exit-poll-election-support-among-religious-groups
Overall, 43% of people who attended religious services once a week or more supported Obama. http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=367
39% U.S. Catholics are Hispanic, with 67% of Latinos voting for Obama over McCain. USCCB Committee on Hispanic Affairs. Hispanic Ministry at the Turn of the New Millennium, 1999 ^
After 100 days in office, 66% of Catholics, including a majority of white, non-Hispanic Catholics (55%), said they approved of Obama's job performance as president. Catholics are much more supportive of the president than are white evangelical Protestants, 33% of whom approved http://people-press.org/report/509/obama-at-100-days
As of April 9, 2011, 80 percent of Muslim Americans approved of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as president, with 65 percent of Jewish Americans; 60 percent of atheists, agnostics and those of no religion; 50 percent of Catholics; 37 percent of Protestants and 25 percent of Mormons concurring. Obama’s approval overall at that time was at 45 percent. In 2008, only 7 percent of Muslim Americans said they approved of the job President Bush was doing, versus 37% of Protestant and 26% of Catholics. http://www.abudhabigallupcenter.com/File/148778/MAR_Report_ADGC_Bilingual_072011_sa_LR_web.pdf, p. 19
37% of Catholics were registered as Democrats in 2007, 27% Republican, and 31% as Independents. Aggregated Pew Research Surveys, 2007. http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=295#ideology
77 percent of Black Protestants said they vote Democratic, whether they attended weekly services or not. 2008 The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. http://www.newsweek.com/id/142538
Protestants make up approx. 50% of all voters, while Catholics make up 19.9% By group: Baptists at 12.9%, Methodist 8.2%, Lutheran 3.9%, Presbyterian 2.5%, Jewish 2.3%, Episcopalian 1.7% Mormons 1.4%. http://www.adherents.com/rel_USA.html
Mississippi (33%), Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Kentucky have the 5 highest percentages of S. Baptist, while Rhode Island (52%), Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York have the 5 highest percentages of Catholics. http://www.adherents.com/rel_USA.html
The population of Massachusetts ranks as the most liberal, with Boston and Cambridge being the most liberal large cities (100,000 or more), followed by California. http://www.epodunk.com/top10/liberal/index.html
The 16 most Catholic states contain 24 of the most liberal cities. Excluding (Maryland 26th), predominately Roman Catholic states contain all but one (Seattle WA) of the 30 most liberal cities. Of states in which S. Baptists are the single largest denomination none (of the 30 cities) were found (the term “liberal” being defined according to individual contributions to PACs, election returns and the number of homosexual households: http://www.epodunk.com/top10/liberal/index.html http://www.glenmary.org/grc/RCMS_2000/Catholic_findings.htm , http://www.adherents.com/rel_USA.html.
10% of Evangelical Protestants reside in the NE, 23% in the Midwest, 50% in the South, and 17% in the West. Catholics: 29% NE, 24% Midwest, 24% in the South, 23% in the West. “Muslim Americans: Middle Class and Mostly Mainstream,” Pew Research Center, 2007. http://religions.pewforum.org/comparisons#
The highest percentages of residents who describe themselves as Christian are typically in the South, including: Shreveport (98%), Birmingham (96%), Charlotte (96%), Nashville (95%), Greenville, SC / Asheville, NC (94%), New Orleans (94%), Indianapolis (93%), Lexington (93%), Roanoke-Lynchburg (93%), Little Rock (92%), and Memphis (92%). http://www.barna.org/faith-spirituality/435-diversity-of-faith-in-various-us-cities
The lowest percentages of self-identified Christians inhabited the following markets: San Francisco (68%), Portland, Oregon (71%), Portland, Maine (72%), Seattle (73%), Sacramento (73%), New York (73%), San Diego (75%), Los Angeles (75%), Boston (76%), Phoenix (78%), Miami (78%), Las Vegas (78%), and Denver (78%). Even in these cities, however, roughly three out of every four residents align with Christianity. ^
The highest percentage of souls who tended toward being atheist or agnostic were in Portland, Maine (19%), Seattle (19%), Portland, Oregon (16%), Sacramento (16%), and Spokane (16%) ^
Commitment to evangelism (agree strongly that a person has a responsibility to share their beliefs with others) saw the greatest percentage of endorsement by residents of Birmingham (64%) and Charlotte (54%), in contrast to residents of Providence (14%) and Boston (17%).^
The percentage of percentage of adults Protestants who have been married and divorced at least once was 34% versus 28% for Catholics, (the survey not determining if the divorce occurred before or after conversions) while evangelicals were at 26%. Atheists were at 30% (only 65% were ever married, vs. 38% for born-again Christians) while the divorce rate for those aligned with a non-Christian faith was at 38%. http://www.barna.org/family-kids-articles/42-new-marriage-and-divorce-statistics-released
Apart from religious identification, the population segments with the lowest divorce rate after marriage were Asians (20% divorce rate) upscale adults (22%) and those who identify themselves as being conservative on social and political matters (28%) versus (37%) for those liberal on social and political matters. The largest disparity (17%) relative to divorce was between high and low income levels (22% to 39%) ^
31% of Catholics made less than $30,000 per year, while 19% made $100,000 or more (National average: 31% and 18% respectively) . The figures for Evangelical Protestants were 34% and 13%. Hindus and Jews had the highest income levels. [Contrary to “prosperity preachers, the gospel does not promise (or exclude) material prosperity, but promises spiritual blessing, while enabling contentment, joy and victory in whatever condition, and that needs will be met as we trust and obey Christ. I need to always and better walk in it.] http://pewforum.org/Income-Distribution-Within-US-Religious-Groups.aspx
(See HERE for Table of casual Religio-Political relations. And HERE for Correlation between faith, ideology, politics, environment, money.)
Thirty percent of Protestants listed God as their most important connection (relationship) versus 9% of Catholics. http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/13-culture/44-americans-identify-their-most-important-relationships
Political conservatives were almost three times as likely as political liberals to identify God as their most important relationship (33% vs. 12%, respectively). Barna,2008 ^
A survey comparing 97 different facets of the lives of Americans Catholics to national Americans norms showed that Catholics were much the same as people aligned with other faith groups - except as regards religious or moral components. The typical Catholic person was 38% less likely than the average American to read the Bible; 67% less likely to attend a Sunday school class; 20% less likely to share their faith in Christ with someone who had different beliefs, donated about 17% less money to churches, and were 36% less likely to have an "active faith," defined as reading the Bible, praying and attending a church service during the prior week. Catholics were also significantly less likely to believe that the Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches. 44% of Catholics claimed to be "absolutely committed" to their faith, compared to 54% of the entire adult population. However, Catholics were 16% more likely to attend a church service and 8% more likely to have prayed to God during the prior week than the average American.
Morally, Catholics reported that they were less prone to say mean things about people behind their back, and were more likely to engage in recycling, while being approx. 50% more likely to view Internet pornography, and were more prone to use profanity, to gamble, and to buy lottery tickets. Barna Reaearch, 2007, “Catholics Have Become Mainstream America” http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/12-faithspirituality/100
Catholics broke with their Church's teachings more than most other groups, with just six out of 10 Catholics affirming that God is "a person with whom people can have a relationship", and three in 10 describing God as an "impersonal force." 7.5The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.
Only 33% of Catholics strongly affirmed that Christ was sinless on earth. 7http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/53
88% of Catholics believe that they can practice artificial means of birth control and still be considered good Catholics. New York Times/CBS News poll, Apr. 21-23, 1994, subsample of 446 Catholics, MOE ± 5%.
More than eight in ten adult Catholics say that Marriage, Baptism, the Eucharist, and Confirmation are either “somewhat” or “very” meaningful to them. Only 66 percent of adult Catholics said the sacrament of Reconciliation is “somewhat” or “very” meaningful to them. CARA at Georgetown University, 2007
45 percent of adult Catholics said they never participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), 30 percent say they go to Confession less than once a year, 26% go once a year or more often. Only 2 percent of Catholics do so once a month or more often. CARA at Georgetown University, 2007
52% of adult Catholics said they pray the rosary. 8% died so at least once a week (4 percent say they do so every day), while 48 percent said they never did. CARA at Georgetown University, 2007
Responding to the questions on the Roman Catholic Eucharist, “Which of the following comes closest to what you believe takes place at Mass: (1) The bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ, or (2) The bread and wine are symbolic reminders of Christ? 63% of Roman Catholics overall, and 51% of weekly attenders, and 70% of all Catholics in the age group 18 to 44 ” affirmed the Roman Catholic Eucharist is a "symbolic reminder" of Jesus [it is, of His death], indicating they do not believe it is Jesus actual body and blood [as Rome erroneously teaches]. New York Times/CBS News poll, Apr. 21-23, 1994, subsample of 446 Catholics, MOE ± 5% http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1252/is_n2_v122/ai_16233123/pg_8/
A 1992 Catholic-funded Gallup Poll found only 30% of American Catholics affirmed: "When receiving Holy Communion, you are really and truly receiving the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ, under the appearance of bread and wine. Poll of 519 American Catholics, 18 years or older, conducted from December 10, 1991, to January 19, 1992, http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-79305248.html
However, a Catholic polling service reported that 57 percent of adult Catholics (and 91% of adult weekly Mass attenders), said their belief about the Eucharist is reflected best by the statement “Jesus Christ is really present in the bread and wine of the Eucharist,” [a statement which Lutherans could assent to] versus to 43 percent who said their belief is best reflected in the statement, “Bread and wine are symbols of Jesus, but Jesus is not really present.” Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University, 2007, commissioned by the Department of Communications of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
In a survey by the Pew Forum, 55% of Catholics affirmed that their church teaches that the bread and wine in their liturgy of the Lord's supper become Christ’s body and blood, [an erroneous doctrine] while (41%) said that the church teaches that the bread and wine are symbols. http://pewforum.org/Other-Beliefs-and-Practices/U-S-Religious-Knowledge-Survey.aspx
Also, a study by the Roper Center and commissioned by Catholic World Report reported that 82% of Catholics percent agreed with the statement that "the bread and wine used at Mass are actually transformed into the body and blood of Christ," and 57 percent attend Mass every week. Catholic World Report; 1997 survey of 1,000 Catholic Americans by Roper Center for Public Opinion Research at the University of Connecticut.
26 percent of Catholics polled strongly agree with the Church's unequivocal position on abortion and 39 percent of the Catholic Americans also "strongly disagree" with the statement that "abortion is never justified", while another 20% "mildly disagree."
Only 20 percent strongly agreed with the Church teaching that only men may be ordained. ^Roper Center for Public Opinion
33 percent go to confession less than once a year. ^Roper Center for Public Opinion
Only 30 percent said they read the Bible more than once a month. ^Roper Center for Public Opinion
46 percent of Catholics who say they attend mass weekly accept Church teaching on abortion; 43 percent accept the all-male priesthood; and 30 percent see contraception as morally wrong. ^Roper Center for Public Opinion
73 percent of Catholics rejected Catholic teaching artificial methods of birth control. ^Roper Center for Public Opinion
31% of faithful Catholics (those who attend church weekly) say abortion should be legal either in "many" or in "all" cases. right &; 2004 -- The Gallup Organization Gallup Survey for Catholics Speak Out: 802 Catholics, May 1992, MOE ± 4%
Catholic women have an abortion rate 29 percent higher than Protestants. Alan Guttmacher Institute http://www.catholicleague.org/research/Catholic_women_and_abortion.htm
66% of Catholics supported women's ordination to the priesthood, and 73% approved of the way John Paul II leads the church. Surveying the Religious Landscape: Trends in U.S. Beliefs by George Gallup, Jr. and D. Michael Lindsay (Morehouse Publishing, 1999). right &; 2004 -- The Gallup Organization www.gallup.com
80% of Catholics believe it is possible to disagree with the pope on official positions on morality and still be a good Catholic. Time/CNN nationwide poll of 1,000 adults, conducted by Yankelovich Partners, Sept. 27-28, 1995; subsample of 500 Catholics, MOE ± 4.5%
77 % of Catholics polled "believe a person can be a good Catholic without going to Mass every Sunday, 65 percent believe good Catholics can divorce and remarry, and 53 percent believe Catholics can have abortions and remain in good standing. 1999 poll by the National Catholic Reporter. http://www.catholictradition.org/v2-bombs14b.htm
59% of all Catholic women of childbearing age practice contraception—a rate of usage statistically equivalent to that of the general population (60%). Calvin Goldscheider and William D. Mosher, "Patterns of Contraceptive Use in the United States:
A survey of 3,000 U.S. diocesan priests, found that 62% of the clergy believed that priests should have the choice of marriage or celibacy; 31% might marry if the church would allow it. Study conducted by Jesuit Sociologist Joseph Fichter of Harvard, reported in Roman Catholics: A Theologian Defects, TIME magazine, Friday, Dec. 30, 1966
Approx. 50% of Catholic priests do not agree with Human Vitae (RC teaching on birth control). Catholic Parish Priests and Birth Control: A Comparative Study of Opinion in Colombia, the United States, and the Netherlands, by Gail A. Shea, Thomas K. Burch, Gustavo Perez, Miriam Ordonez, Joseph Van Kemanade, Jan Hutjes and Andre E. Hellegers &; 1971 Population Council.
30% of Roman Catholic priests described themselves as Liberal, 28% as Conservative, and 37% as Moderate in their Religious ideology. ^8.5Los Angeles Times (extensive) nationwide survey (2002). Arthur Jones, 2002 National Catholic Reporter. Gale Group. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1141/is_2_39/ai_94129129/pg_2
53 percent responded that they thought it always was a sin for unmarried people to have sexual relations, : 32 percent that is often was, and 9 percent seldom/never. ^8.5
71 percent responded that it always was wrong for a woman to get an abortion, 19 percent that it often was, and 4 percent seldom/never. ^8.5
28 percent judged that is always was sin for married couples to use artificial birth control, 25 percent often, 40 percent never. ^8.5
49 percent affirmed that it was always a sin to engage in homosexual behavior, often, 25 percent; and never, 19 percent. ^8.5
To take one's own life if suffering from a debilitating disease: always, 59 percent; often, 18 percent; never, 17 percent. ^8.5
15 percent of the current clergy listed themselves as "gay or on the homosexual side." Among younger priests 23 percent did so. ^8.5
44 percent of the priests said "definitely" a homosexual subculture'--defined as a `definite group of persons that has its own friendships, social gatherings and vocabulary'--exists in their diocese or religious order. ^8.5
54% of Hispanic Catholics describe themselves as charismatic Christians. 51%of Hispanic Evangelicals are converts, and 43% are former Catholics. 82% of Hispanics cite the desire for a more direct, personal experience with God as the main reason for adopting a new faith. Among those who have become evangelicals, 90% say it was a spiritual search for a more direct, personal experience with God was the main reason that drove their conversion. Negative views of Catholicism do not appear to be a major reason for their conversion. http://pewhispanic.org/reports/report.php?ReportID=75
Latino Evangelicals are 50% more likely than those who are Catholics to identify with the Republican Party, and are significantly more conservative than Catholics on social issues, foreign policy issues and even in their attitudes toward the plight of the poor. http://pewforum.org/surveys/hispanic /
In France (76% Catholic ) only 12 percent say they go to church on Sunday (5 percent in Paris); in Ireland (90% Catholic) less than 50 percent attend Mass even once a month, and in Italy (97 % Catholic) church attendance has fallen to 30 percent.In larger cities as Milan, the ratio is only 15 percent. Georgetown University's Center for the Study of Global Christianity. Charles M. Sennott, Globe Staff, May 2, 2005 &;right 2005 The New York Times Company. http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Soc/soc.culture.vietnamese/2008-06/msg00878.html Famiglia Cristiana,Catholic weekly magazine.
10 percent of Protestants, 21 percent of Roman Catholics, and 52 percent of Jews do NOT believe in God. Harris Interactive Poll, right &; 2003 CompuServe Interactive Services, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.simpletoremember.com/vitals/JewsDontBelieve.htm
16 percent of Jewish souls said they go to synagogue once a month or more. Harris Interactive Poll, &; 2003 CompuServe Interactive Services, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.simpletoremember.com/vitals/JewsDontBelieve.htm
Only 8% of born again adults give a 10th of their income to their church. http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=52 http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=14
7 http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/53
7.5 right &; 2008 The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. http://religions.pewforum.org/comparisons#
8 Barna Research 2001 http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=52 See also http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=Topic&TopicID=15
8.5Los Angeles Times (extensive) nationwide survey (2002). Arthur Jones, 2002 National Catholic Reporter. Gale Group. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1141/is_2_39/ai_94129129/pg_2 7