AIDS
Number of Americans infected with HIV who do not know they are infected: 500,000
—Journal of the American Medical Association (Vol. 273, No. 12)
ALCOHOL
Percentage of violent college campus crime that is alcohol-related: 95
—The Abandoned Generation, William Willimon
ATTENDANCE
Americans who attend church in one week:102 million
Americans who attend professional baseball, basketball, and football games in one year: 94 million
—Statistical Abstract of the United States, cited in Emerging Trends (5/94)
FEAR
In 1975, cuddly poodles were the most popular purebred dog in America, with 139,750 registered. There were only 952 registered Rottweilers, a fierce breed often used as a guard dog.
By 1994, the poodle population had been cut in half to 61,775, while Rottweilers had increased 100 times to 102,596.
—American Kennel Club
GUILT
Top four responses by U.S. adults when asked what they most felt guilty about
Nothing in particular 34%
Having/spending too much money 15%
Taking poor care of their health 12%
Not spending time with friends/family 12%
—USA Today (8/22/95)
INTEGRITY
Percentage of Americans who consistently exceed the speed limit: 76
Percentage who have called in sick to get a day off: 58.4
—NFO Research, Inc., cited in USA Today (10/16/95); Are You Normal? by Bernice Kanner (St. Martin’s, 1995)
MINISTRY
Number of meals served by the nation’s 250 rescue missions each day: 75,000
—National & International Religion Report (6/12/95)
MONEY
Percentage of people who said the best way to get rich is to play the lottery: 11
—Money magazine (1995 poll)
Average amount of credit card debt per cardholder: $3,900
—Bureau of Economic Analysis, cited in The Chicago Tribune (10/29/95)
PARENTING
Percentage of parents who spanked their preschool children last year: 90
—Murray Straus, Ph.D., cited in Bottom Line (7/15/95)
Percentage of teenagers who spend less than 30 minutes a week talking with their fathers about things that really matter to them: 66
—Barna Research Group (2/94)
SELF-CONTROL
Total fines levied against New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner by Major League Baseball, during his career: $645,000
—USA Today (10/18/95)
VIOLENCE
Number of violent crimes in the United States last year: 4,370,000
Number of violent criminals sent to jail last year: 153,730
—U.S. News & World Report (10/9/95)
1996 Christianity Today/LEADERSHIP Journal
