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.

Our Latest

The Bulletin

A Third Presidential Term, South American Boat Strikes, and ChatGPT Erotica

Trump hints at running in 2028, US strikes more alleged drug boats, ChatGPT produces erotica.

Review

Finding God on the Margins of American Universities

A new account of faith in higher education adds some neglected themes to more familiar story lines.

From Prohibition to Pornography

In 1958, CT pushed evangelicals to engage important moral issues even when they seemed old-fashioned.

Indian Churches Encourage Couples to Leave and Cleave

For many couples, in-laws are a major source of marital strife.

Tackling Unemployment

The head of The T.D. Jakes foundation on job assistance and economic empowerment.

Review

First Comes Sex, Then Comes Gender

A new book acknowledges both categories as biblically valid—but insists on ordering them properly.

In Politics, Contempt Is a Common Tongue

Antisemitic, racist texts show the need for spiritual and character renewal.

The Just Life with Benjamin Watson

Stephen Enada: Exposing a Silent Slaughter

Unpacking the crisis facing Nigeria’s persecuted Church

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube