African-Americans Most Religiously Devout Group (in the nation)

Christian Post ^ | 7/26/2009 | Michelle A. Vu

[SeekAndFind]

African-Americans are the most religiously devout racial group in the nation when it comes to attending services, praying and believing that God exists, according to a recent profile.

Compared to the rest of the U.S. population, which is generally considered highly religious, African-Americans engage in religious activities more frequently and express higher levels of religious belief, Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life highlighted in a report released in time for Black History Month.

The center's U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, conducted in 2007 on more than 35,000 people, found that 79 percent of African-Americans say religion is very important in their lives while 56 percent of all U.S. adults said the same. Even among African-Americans who are unaffiliated with any particular faith, 45 percent of them say religion is very important compared to 16 percent of the religiously unaffiliated population overall.

Among the various racial and ethnic groups, African-Americans are the most likely to say they belong to a formal religious affiliation. An overwhelming 87 percent of African-Americans identify with a religious group, according to the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life.

Following close behind are Latinos, with 85 percent of its population associating with a religion. In comparison, 83 percent of the overall U.S. population report affiliation with a religion.

Nearly six out of ten African-Americans (59 percent) say they belong to a historically black Protestant church, according to the study. The next most popular affiliation is Evangelical Protestant churches (15 percent).

Slightly more than one out of ten (12 percent) say they are unaffiliated to a religious group.

In other noteworthy findings, African-Americans express greater comfort with religion’s role in politics than other racial and ethnic groups. The black community most closely resembles white evangelical Protestants, with about six in ten saying that churches should express their views on social and political issues.

But both African-Americans and white evangelicals say churches and other houses of worship should not endorse political candidates and there should be some restrictions on mixing politics and religious institutions.

When it comes to social issues, the African-American community is nearly split on abortion, with 49 percent favoring to keep abortion legal in most or all cases, and 44 percent wanting abortion to be illegal in most or all cases.

The African-American ratio is similar to that of the general public (51 percent vs. 42 percent).

On the issue of homosexuality, 41 percent of the black community thinks it should be accepted by society, while 46 percent say that homosexuality should be discouraged.

In comparison, the overall public is more open to accepting homosexuality (50 percent vs. 40 percent).

African-Americans belonging to evangelical churches are the most likely to say homosexuality should be discouraged by society (58 percent), while religiously unaffiliated African-Americans are least likely to discourage homosexuality (32 percent).

The Landscape survey shows that across all religious groups, at least two-thirds of African-Americans voice support for the Democratic Party. Meanwhile, less than half (47 percent) of the general U.S. population describes themselves as Democrats or leaning towards the Democratic Party. Slightly more than a third (35 percent) of the total population identify with the Republican Party.

Religious affiliation did not make a major impact on political party affiliation among African-Americans, the Pew Forum analysis shows.

[SeekAndFind]

See also here ;

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20090725/survey-faith-of-blacks-grows-stronger-more-orthodox/index.html

Survey: Faith of Blacks Grows Stronger, More Orthodox By Audrey Barrick Christian Post Reporter

Blacks remain the most religious ethnic group in America, a new study shows.

And over the last 15 years, African Americans have grown even more religious and orthodox in their Christian beliefs, according to The Barna Group.

Findings from surveys that included 1,272 African American respondents reveal that blacks today are more likely than they were in the early 1990s to believe that the principles taught in the Bible are totally accurate; to say that their religious faith is very important in their life; to have a biblically orthodox understanding of the nature of God; and to be born again.

African Americans were found to be the most likely ethnic group to consider themselves Christian with 92 percent saying so. Nationally, 85 percent of Americans in general consider themselves Christian. Blacks were also the most likely to be born again Christians (59 percent vs. 46 percent nationally).

Moreover, blacks had the lowest population of unchurched adults and were least likely to be Catholic.

"While the beliefs and behaviors of America's white population have changed little since the early 1990s, the new research underscored that the faith of African-Americans is dynamic, generally moving in a direction that is more aligned with conservative biblical teachings," the Barna report states.

Today, 66 percent of blacks say the Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches. Only 49 percent of the general U.S. population agrees. Eighty-six percent of blacks say their religious faith is very important in their life while 72 percent of the American public says so.

More than four out of five African Americans also say loving God is the single, most important purpose of their life and that God is the all-powerful, all-knowing, perfect creator of the universe who rules the world. Meanwhile, three out of five in the general U.S. population agree with those statements.

African Americans are markedly more religious when it comes to attending church, participating in a small group, praying and reading the Bible.

Data is based on telephone interviews conducted between January 2007 and November 2008 among nine nationwide random samples of adults. More than 9,000 interviews were conducted.

[Texas Eagle]

Ha ha ha haaaaaaaaa!!!<POh. Wait. This guy’s being serious.

[ottbmare]

And then they vote for an abortionist. Logical.

[Ken522]

African-Americans are the most religiously devout racial group in the nation ...

They why are they, as a group, over-represented in prisons?

[GeronL]

These studies are usually dumb.

Many of these churches are more like social clubs and political clubs

[BenLurkin]

Has Hussein found a church in D.C. yet?

[SeekAndFind]

These studies are usually dumb. Many of these churches are more like social clubs and political clubs

Are you saying that this finding is inaccurate (quote from the article) :

"Today, 66 percent of blacks say the Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches. Only 49 percent of the general U.S. population agrees. Eighty-six percent of blacks say their religious faith is very important in their life while 72 percent of the American public says so."

[Howie66]

Really?

Can somebody show proof of this?

[SonnyBubba]

No, but he’s found a nice mosque.

[SeekAndFind]

Has Hussein found a church in D.C. yet?

Obama isn't really a very religious person. He only goes to church to gain political clout. When the going gets rough for his political future, he's ready to disown or dump anyone ( witness his dissociating himself from Jeremiah Wright when the later became a political liability ).

Obama will join a church when it is to his political advantage, not because he's interested in spiritual things or in learning to follow God's teachings.

[SeekAndFind]

Can somebody show proof of this?

Of what ? Please be more specific...

[anniegetyourgun]

Religion & denomination are quite different than salvation.

[Zionist Conspirator]

African-Americans are the most religiously devout racial group in the nation

You'd never know it by the way they vote.

[SeekAndFind]

Religion & denomination are quite different than salvation.

True, but the article(s) also mention that they hold very orthodox, biblical beliefs. Very hard to conclude from this that they aren't saved.

[anniegetyourgun]

The African-Americans I know well are universally biblically illiterate, but they like to get dressed up and go to church on Sunday. Dunno - maybe it’s just the ones I know.

[ViLaLuz]

I read a couple weeks ago the 0bamas still haven’t found a home church. I recall 0 stating that he was going to let Michelle pick the church, therefore abdicating his responsibility to be the spiritual lead for his family.

[freebilly]

Blacks in America are very religiously. They religiously pray at the altar of the Democrat party and Obama....

[SeekAndFind]

That graph shows a 35 year figure. Maybe you can show a graph that indicates “trends” of these death figures for the past 5 years... then we can see if the abortion rates are accelerating or decelerating.

[Altura Ct.]

Today, 66 percent of blacks say the Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches.

What part of the Bible covers Black Liberation Theology?

[Gaffer]

Nope, Muslims are....wait, most black churchs have pictures of ZerObama over Jesus on their walls 5:1.....I guess that qualifies as Muslim....yeah! They are!

[SeekAndFind]

What part of the Bible covers Black Liberation Theology?

The more relevant question is --- how many percentage of church going black believe in Black Liberation Theology?

[freebilly]

They why are they, as a group, over-represented in prisons?

Racism..., you didn't know that...?

[Gaffer]

I guess that this is the group of “people we don’t need” in society that Justice Ginsburg was talking about when citing a good rationale for Abortion.

[Altura Ct.]

Indeed it is. Just as is how many blacks are “racist”. Or how many blacks support the NAACP, The Black Caucus, or any number of other anti-white organizations? Just as how many blacks supported/support Obamanation or affirmative action or on and on...

[kcvl]

Many of these churches are more like social clubs and political clubs.

Exactly!

Example: Rev. Wright's 'church'

[GeronL]

Rev Wrights are very devout followers

[WVKayaker]

Visit a black church and your eyes will be opened. They certainly know how to praise the Lord. It has always been joyful to worship with them. But, many of the men spend their Saturday night whoring and boozing. The black women are the mainstay and base of their churches.

A truly African Christian church is an absolutely powerful force for God. I have many African Christian friends, and believe me, the American blacks are nothing like them. In America, much seems to be about the worshiper, with much stomping and attention gathering to self. In Africa, it seems more directed toward out Source of Power.

As for orthodoxy, among most of the black Christians I know, there seems to be a uniform attitude toward Grace and Salvation. Freedom from the Law, which we have been granted by Christ, creates a different picture again. With too many black Americans, that freedom allows for their Saturday nights. Most African Christians sound more like Paul, saying "God forbid"!

It is cultural, not racial, IMHO... and 62 years of observation!

[afraidfortherepublic]

But, are they being religious by attending Trinity United Church of Christ with Jeremiah Wright? Or a Black The Case of the Pious Pusher I suppose you might call him the Preacher Pimp. (and drug dealer, and murderer, and gang leader, and dog fight promoter). I think the assertions in the Christian Post article bear a closer inspection.

[afraidfortherepublic]

I don't know where my link went...

The Case of the Pious Preacher

This young Milwaukee preacher is also (convicted) a pimp, drug dealer, gang lord, dog fight promoter, and murderer. I suppose there are some other crimes in there as well.

[Gumdrop]

If they are really religious, why do they segregate themselves on Sunday mornings???

My impression of black preachers is that they hate: whitey’s, Catholics, and person who is conservative intensely.

I would be happy to learn otherwise.

[Tennessee Nana]

As a group of, yes they probably are...

[Oratam]

I've noticed that white liberals mock white believers, yet are very respectful of black religiosity. Why is this? Because white liberals are racists.

[PalmettoMason]

Blacks in America are very religiously. They religiously pray at the altar of the Democrat party and Obama....

LOL. Your post reminded me of a promo that I hear every day on XM for talk show host named "Mike Church".

In the promo, a caller who identifies himself as a black conservative says that in his church, they have "six pictures of Obama and one picture of Jesus. I'm gonna have to find another church."

I love to hear folks tell it like it is.

[Marysecretary]

They sure know how to worship and praise the Lord though. I love being with them.