Percentage of high school seniors who have had sexual intercourse: 72
Percentage who have had at least 4 partners: 19
Ratio of churches to people in the U.S.: 1:900
Percentage of people who say religion answers today’s problems: 60
In 1984:56
Percentage of Americans who pray daily: 75
Percentage who say they have had prayers answered: 95
Number of suicides, per 100,000 people ages 15 to 19: 11.1
Per 100,000 people ages 75 to 84: 24.9
Number of swear words in vocabulary of average American male: 58
Of average American female: 29
Estimated number of U.S. couples trying to adopt a child: 1,500,000
Number of infants available for adoption: 25,000
Percentage of children living with only one parent, in 1970: 12
In 1992: 27
Ratio of unmarried couples to married couples, in 1970: 1:100
In 1992: 6:100
Percentage of 1992’s incoming theology students in the U.S. and Canada who were female: 43
Who were 31 or older: 45
Percentage of Americans who believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God: 80
Percentage who believe there is no one set of values that is right: 48
HOW SPIRITUAL ARE WE?
A U.S. News & World Report article (4/4/94) suggests that while Americans may be more spiritual than ever, confusing signals remain to be sorted out.
For example, though 93 percent of Americans believe in God or a universal spirit, and 75 percent pray at least once daily, 70 percent say that individuals must decide on their own what is right and wrong.
In addition, while 65 percent say that religion is losing influence on society, 62 percent say that religion has been gaining influence in their own lives.
FORGIVENESS BEATS REVENGE
When asked what they would try to do when wronged, American adults chose forgiveness over revenge six to one. A Gallup Poll found that 48 percent would “try to forgive” while 8 percent would “try to get even.”
Other responses: discussing the problem (48 percent), overlooking the offense (45 percent), praying for comfort and guidance (27 percent), and praying for the offender (25 percent). And while 14 percent said they would hold their resentment inside, 9 percent said they would try to do something nice for the one who hurt them.
– Pentecostal Evangel, 9/5/93
WITHOUT CHILDREN
In 1990, more than 25 percent of 30 to 34-year-old American women were childless. In 1976 only 16 percent were. The National Center for Health Statistics says that 22 percent of American women born between 1956 and 1972 will never have children–most of them by choice.
Researcher Rick Weiss notes: Couples with children frequently experience higher levels of frustration and lower levels of happiness. Married mothers tend to be more depressed than their husbands and more depressed than women who have no children.
But, after their children are grown and gone, older parents report higher measures of happiness, satisfaction, self-esteem, purpose, and fulfillment in life than do adults who remain childless.
– Health, 7-8/93
Copyright (c) 1994 Christianity Today, Inc./LEADERSHIP Journal
Copyright © 1994 by the author or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal. Click here for reprint information on Leadership Journal.
