Barna's Annual Review of Significant Religious Findings Offers Encouragement and Challenges
December 21, 2004
(Ventura, CA) - After a year of interviewing thousands of adults, ministers, and young people, many insights into the spiritual contours of Americans emerged from the studies conducted by The Barna Group. In his annual yearend summary of some of the highlights and lowlights from his company's research, cultural analyst George Barna noted that there is reason to be encouraged - and concerned.
Reflecting on the more than 10,000 interviews his firm completed during 2004, Barna identified some of the outcomes he felt were most noteworthy. Those facts were divided into four types: the most encouraging outcomes, the most surprising findings, the most disappointing revelations, and the most significant challenges.
Ten Encouraging Outcomes
In a year when the presidential election focused the spotlight on people's faith, various Barna studies gave reasons to be encouraged about the faith of Americans. He offered these ten outcomes as particularly hopeful signs.
»Most Americans want their faith in Christ to be reflected in public symbols and language, as evident in public places and policies. Consequently, they support retaining statements such as In God We Trust and One Nation Under God, displays of the Ten Commandments, and teaching creationism in schools.
For related information, see How Christianized Do Americans Want Their Country To Be Click here
»A large majority of adults reject the idea of active homosexuals being ordained or retained within the clergy.
For related information, see Public Divided On Marriage Amendment Click here
»Most Americans - nearly two-thirds of them - continue to give significant amounts of money to churches and houses of worship. Not only did the dollar amount of donations rise, but about three out of every four dollars contributed to a non-profit entity was given to a church last year.
For related information, see Giving to Churches Rose Substantially in 2003. Click here
»Born again Christians played a huge role in the outcome of the presidential election. They not only turned out in record numbers - they were a majority of the voters participating on election day - but their solidarity provided President Bush with the margin he needed for re-election.
For related information, see Born Again Christians A Significant Factor in President Bush's Re-Election. Click here
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