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February 11, 2012

Home > 2007 > NovemberChristianity Today, November, 2007
Go Figure
Recent statistics on what Americans think of evangelicals, religious freedom, and Billy Graham.


56%   Americans who believe that freedom to worship applies to all religious groups, regardless of how extreme.

72%   Americans who said this in 2000.

Source: First Amendment Center



19%   Americans who say their overall opinion of evangelicals is unfavorable.

38%   Americans who said this in 1996.

Source: Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life



60%   Americans who say they have a favorable opinion of Billy Graham.

29%   Americans under age 30 who have never heard of Billy Graham.

Source: Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life



Related Elsewhere:

See our earlier Go Figure postings from October 2007, September 2007, August 2007, July 2007, June 2007, May 2007, April 2007, March 2007, February 2007, January 2007, December 2006, and earlier issues.





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Displaying 1–5 of 11 comments

Steve Skeete

October 31, 2007  7:42am

All persons should be free to worship however they choose as long as they are not infringing some law or violating the acknowledged right (s) other persons. Saying that someone should be free to worship only is saying very little. Worship is about expression. However, if that expression offends that law, e.g. engaging in lewd or immoral activity, promoting violence, illegal drugs etc. then obviously that behaviour cannot be condoned. Worship has to be about what is lawful. I agree with the comment which says that any religion which advocates violence, the killing of converts from their to another religion etc., ought not to be condoned. Freedom of religion must be freedom for all not merely freedon for some to display their hostilities. I also agree with the comment that one "religion must be free to openly disagree with another" again, once this is done within legal boundaries. When certain parameters are disregarded the law should take its course.

Jim of Bentley

October 31, 2007  4:28am

It is a pity that "extreme" wasn't clarified, for it could have impacted upon the answer. If "extreme" meant the ritual use of marijuana, or perhaps the sacrifice of an animal, well, OK, but I wouldn't like it. If extreme meant child sacrifice or inciting violence against other groups - then probably not. If it allows singing of songs of praise in a loud voice on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday morning or evening, then I am for it. If it is singing loud songs, music, bells, or whatever at 2AM on a Thursday morning and disturbing the neighbourhood, then probably not. Therefore, before we can say we favour or oppose "extreme", I would like someone to clarify what "extreme" means.

Patricia

October 30, 2007  4:02pm

The wording of this survey wasn't the best. The American Constitution rightly gives people the freedom to practice any religion, but the government also has the right to determine what religious practices it will and will not allow.

John Paul

October 30, 2007  1:13pm

Killing someone, in a religious act of human sacrifice for example, is punishable due to the laws of the land. Therefore, freedom of religion should not allow such a heinous act. However, we must remember that the early Christians were considered cannibals due to eating flesh and drinking blood (of Christ). Crimes must be punished on evidence not on misconceptions of someone's beliefs. And, we must not legislate laws with the purpose of outlawing a specific religion, such as has been done by Catholics to Protestants and by Protestants to Catholics (Ireland). I also believe we need to be careful about punishing people as criminals who have good intent (such as some who refuse medical care). Sometimes medical care can be the cause of death when someone would have lived otherwise. People must be allowed to live their convictions.

Beau in NC

October 30, 2007  11:53am

This survey is flawed. Only two options are given, unlike previous polls, and you do not define "extreme." Do you mean worship that includes human sacrifice (not just "advocacy of murder, etc. but the actual murder)? If that is within the definition, then, of course, it cannot be allowed, and no rational person would say it was. If we are only talking about people talking about murder, then perhaps it would be protected under the constitution, but note that high school students have gotten into trouble for just writing notes about murder. Take the question back to the drawing board and ask again.

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