News

Go Figure

Recent statistics on church social service budgets, campaign donations from clergy, and regional belief in the Bible.

$633,314   Contributions given so far by clergy to 2008 presidential candidates.

56%   Percentage that has gone to Democrats.

52%   Percentage of the $1,149,326 given by clergy in 2004 that was given to Republicans.

(Source: OpenSecrets.org)

75%   Residents of Arkansas and Alabama who believe the Bible is literally true.

22%   Residents of Vermont and Massachusetts who say this.

(Source: Rasmussen Reports)

42.5%   American congregations that spend less than 10 percent of their budgets on social services in their community.

12.2%   Congregations that spend more than 30 percent.

(Source: The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy)

7.1%   American congregations that receive government grants to provide social services.

$395,628   Average (mean) grant received by these congregations (which received an average of three grants over four years).

(Source: The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy)

Copyright © 2008 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere:

See our earlier Go Figure postings from January 2008, December 2007, November 2007, October 2007, September 2007, August 2007, July 2007, June 2007, May 2007, April 2007, March 2007, February 2007, and earlier issues.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Cover Story

The Future Lies in the Past

Chris Armstrong

Calling on the Saints

Heather Gemmen Wilson

No Utter Collapse

Review

Singing Amid Suffering

Russ Breimeier

Don't Call Me Postconservative

Review by Telford Work

Taking a Chance on Fu Yang

Louis DeLuca

The Vision Thing

Singable Doctrine

Dismantling <em>Roe</em>

Review by Douglas LeBlanc

News

Missions Boot Camp

Amy Green

The Peacebuilding Prince

Interview by Cornelis Hulsman

Walking a Fine Line

John W. Kennedy

The Transgender Moment

John W. Kennedy

Ancient-Future People

Monastic Evangelicals

Chris Armstrong

This Samaritan Life

Tim Stafford

My Top 5 Books on the Civil Rights Era

Tim Stafford, author, 'Shaking the System'

News

The Health Care Crunch

A Christianity Today Editorial

Bookmarks

John Wilson, editor of 'Books & Culture'

Miracles

Compiled by Richard A. Kauffman

News

Securing the Faithful

A Christianity Today Editorial

Singing in the Chains

News

Quotation Marks

News

Continental Divide

Paul Hughes

Pro-Israel vs. Pro-Palestine

Rabbi Yehiel Poupko

News

Choosing Life at the Movies

Mark Moring

News

Arming in the Aftermath

Sarah Pulliam

News

TULIP Blooming

Ken Walker

News

Passages

News

Caste Down

Brad A. Greenberg

News

Wall Eyed

Gordon Govier

ID Tagged

Jocelyn Green

News

The Megachurch Primaries

Sarah Pulliam

News

Good Works Not Enough

Francis X. Rocca, RNS

News

Gospel Talk

Collin Hansen

View issue

Our Latest

From Our Community

‘I Want to Give Where the Voice of Truth Is Loud’

Anne Kerhoulas

Sandra Anderson trusts Christianity Today to navigate cultural challenges—and invests to ensure its voice continues.

An Arthurian Epic for the Dark Age of the Bright Screen

Haley Byrd Wilt

Galahad and the Grail “is about a light that wasn’t extinguished,” says author Malcolm Guite. “And we kind of need it again.”

News

Some Christians Risk Persecution if They’re Honest in India’s Census

Publicly identifying their faith can lead to consequences for lower-caste Christians and those in religiously hostile states.

Being Human

Beyond Offense: Unpacking Forgiveness, Conflict, and Identity with Yana Jenay Conner

When boundaries meet grace: balancing self-care and Jesus’ call to forgive

The 18-Hour Road Trip to Bring a Detained Refugee Home

After an ICE arrest in Minnesota, churchgoers scoured a city for their friend’s abandoned car and mobilized a mission to bring him home.

The Bulletin

Hungary’s Hopeful Election, Congressional Resignations, and Trump’s AI Blasphemy

Clarissa Moll, Russell Moore

Magyar gathers coalition to defeat Orban, Reps. Swalwell and Gonzales resign for sexual assault allegations, and the Trump Jesus AI meme.

News

An Unsung Iran Peace Initiative Grapples with Failure

For 20 years, Mennonites fostered dialogue between North America and the Islamic republic. Their conversations couldn’t stop the bombs.

addApple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseellipseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squarefolderGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastprintremoveRSSRSSSaveSavesaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube