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Christianity Today, November, 2007 |

Go Figure

Recent statistics on what Americans think of evangelicals, religious freedom, and Billy Graham.

Compiled by Ted Olsen | posted 10/30/2007 09:00AM

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.

November 2007, Vol. 51, No. 11

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Displaying 1 - 3 of 11 comments.

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John Paul

Posted: October 30, 2007 1:13 PM

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.

Melody S

Posted: October 30, 2007 11:17 AM


Some religions such as Islam advocate death to the infidels (non muslims). Some religions advocate human sacrifice. Some witchcraft religions advocate animal torture. While we must be very careful to guard the freedom to worhip as we please, it cannot be absolute because some humans are perverted and evil.

Keith F

Posted: October 30, 2007 10:44 AM


If worship is defined by a religion as engaging in ritual human sacrifice, for example, no way should such a religion be allowed to worship in that manner. There are limits to religious freedom.