Posted on 06/09/2005 7:57:34 PM PDT by CHARLITE
Four out of 10 Americans identify themselves as evangelical, but a much smaller percentage “walk the walk,” according to a newly released Gallup poll on America’s religious trends.
The Gallup Organization polled 1,000 U.S. adults in mid-April and found that 42 percent labeled themselves “born-again” or “evangelical.” However, in a survey held one month later on 1,000 Americans, the poll found that only about a quarter of the population hold to “core evangelical doctrines.”
Gallup identified three core evangelical beliefs as: believing that the Bible is the actual word of God, engaging in evangelism by encouraging friends and relatives to believe in Jesus, and having undergone a born-again experience.
The results found that 52 percent of Americans engages in evangelism, 48 percent underwent a born-again experience, and 32 percent believes the Bible is the actual word of God.
However, only 22 percent were found to hold all three beliefs.
“It has been difficult for experts to get an accurate read on the percentage of evangelicals in the United States, and estimates can vary widely,” Albert L. Winseman, Gallup’s religion and social trends editor, wrote in announcing the data. “Looking only at the basic Gallup Poll self identification question, it would appear that evangelical Christians make up a sizeable portion of Americans.
“However, when analyzing respondents’ answers to three questions that most evangelical leaders would say are core evangelical doctrine, the percentage is much smaller.”
Comments: pauline@christianpost.com
Strange, I wasn't aware there was any prescribed behavior.
I have met some who hold all three beliefs, on some level, but it has not affected their behavior much.
If they truly believe, I would expect their external conduct to be better than it is. I'm afraid true religion does not consist in answering a few questions in a poll.
So can we expect Gallup to do a poll of LIBERALS on charity, kindness and caring for the poor and downtrodden? Will they tell us how many of them "walk the walk" and actually practice their alleged beliefs?
Biblical world view.
No change, No Christ.
Ding,ding,ding !!!!!!!!
Some do at this very moment. Some don't. Some might at another moment.
Now Gallop is polling if spiritual conversions are real? This polling has gotten out of hand.
If you look for the bad in people, you will probably find it. Finding someone who says they are Christian but then don't live up to Christ-like standards is easy. As Christians, we strive to grow to be more like Christ each day. It's a growth process you should be looking for.
There is. As a follower of Christ, one should try to be more Christ-like in their behavior. The teachings of the New Testament provide the guidance that lead one to a deeper relationship with the lord.
I'd love to see that poll!! From my experience liberals are great at demanding tax dollars and new government initiatives, but otherwise are pretty much into a pathetic "show" of compassion.
Right. One of the reasons for which I posted this piece was to see if readers here think that the basic premise has any validity. (i.e. taking polls on whether or not people "live their religion").
A person's religion permeates his or her entire being, so I'm not convinced that "poll taking" would reveal the extent to which people are "faithful" to their personal creed.
The topic is too profound to be treated like a "to do" list of household chores.
Thanks for your insightful comment.
Char
A M E N !!!
Don't show these results to the DNC. Their "leader" appears to be on a hell bent rampage, dissing some folks the dems truly need.
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