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Christianity Today, September, 2007 |

Go Figure

Recent statistics on peacemaking, church abuse, and Christian product sales.

Compiled by Ted Olsen | posted 8/20/2007 08:59AM

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49% Americans say that maintaining military strength is the best way to ensure peace.

62% Americans who said this five years ago.

Source: Pew Research Center

$1.3 million The average payout plaintiffs will receive in a $660 million settlement with the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Los Angeles.

$2 billion Roman Catholic payouts for abuse settlements and court judgments nationwide.

Source: Associated Press

52% Sales of Christian products that occur at Christian retailers

33% Sales of Christian products that occur at general market retailers like Wal-Mart and Borders

$4.63 billion Total sales for Christian products in 2006

Source: Religion News Service

31% Of the $250 billion U.S. individuals gave to nonprofits in 2005, amount that went to the needs of the economically disadvantaged.

24% Of the $101 billion given to religious causes, amount that goes to benevolence.

Source: The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University

Related Elsewhere:

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

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September 2007, Vol. 51, No. 9

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A Christian Priest

Posted: August 21, 2007 10:31 AM

I believe that a position of strength is the best way to speak to the enemies of God. The World of Islam (notice I didn't say radical) where World Dominence is the goal and refuses to recognize the rights and liberties of people, including their own people, it is a necessity. However when other countries or religions do not observe or care for other's rights we cannot just lay aside our freedom's and not defend ourselves or the own. Lets not hide our collective heads in the sand or we will be buried in the sand as fools. As politically incorrect that may sound I do believe that God does not want people killed just because they do not look, act, think, talk, or believe as we do. Peace can only be reached when all the people are able to come to living their lives with the love for others as taught by Jesus Christ. Not that there have been no other people who exhibit a form of love, just that Jesus' Love is complete and without malice towards anyone, for all are God's children. Come Lord!

Osahon Alexander Idiaghe

Posted: August 21, 2007 8:09 AM

All the problem of man is as a result of SIN. Sin is a spiritual stuff. You can't achieve peace using the military cos everyday, man is busy building weapon of mass destruction to kill his fellow man and his heart is desperately wicked. All of history has told us the truth. From the days of Abraham through the desolution of Jerusalem to this present day and it's going to increase. Only Jesus Christ WILL bring the peace that man REALY needs.

Amalie

Posted: August 21, 2007 6:57 AM

Edward's first sentence suggests that when Jesus taught us to turn the other cheek, to go the extra mile, with an enemy, he meant only with *personal* adversaries. I have always been astonished at how few of Jesus's radical teachings, the very HEART of His message, are honored by most Christians. The Beatitudes, for instance (Mt. 5: 1-12), portray a true follower of Jesus as poor in spirit, mourning, meek, merciful, pure in heart, hungering for righteousness, peacemaking, and persecuted. If we were to go back to the roots of our faith in all matters political, rather than looking to worldly standards (prosperity for *us,* preserving our own earthly lives at all costs, our country-- meaning the current incarnation at any given time, led by politicians who are often no more godly than Herod-- before our creed) it would require sacrifices and patience and much study and prayer, because Rome is neither built nor un-built in a day. We are the Roman empire in today's world. Jesus must weep.

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