Replies

Frank M. Newport, editor in chief of the Gallup research group, also found little indication of "great awakening or profound change in America's religious practices," according to a report in the New York Times. "It looks like people were treating this like a bereavement, a shorter-term funeral kind of thing, where they went to church or synagogue to grieve," Newport said. "But once past that, their normal churchgoing behavior passed back to where it was."

This really shouldn't come as a big surprise. Deathbed conversions usually don't mean much -- especially if death is somehow postponed.

After the initial shock of 11 September, most Americans outside of New York and Washington have realized that they were not directly affected. In fact, not much has changed. The anthrax scare had people worried for a time, but it has fizzled. The war in Afghanistan appears to be won; even if there were to be a larger war, there is no draft and therefore no reason to worry. The economy is a concern, but we have been through recessions before.

Jesus Himself warned of this attitude:

37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

42 ¶ Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.