Go Figure

Compiled by Ted Olsen

Opinion polls on torture, moral behavior, and other recent statistics.

28%

American evangelicals who say torture is never justified.

25%

Secular Americans who agree.

26%

American Catholics who agree.

29%

All Americans who agree.

* * *

92%

Evangelicals who believe that not reporting all income on your taxes is morally wrong.

79%

All Americans who agree.

82%

Evangelicals who believe that drinking alcohol excessively is morally wrong.

61%

All Americans who agree.

75%

Evangelicals who believe that homosexual behavior is morally wrong.

50%

All Americans who agree.

73%

Evangelicals who believe that having an abortion is morally wrong.

52%

All Americans who agree.

68%

Evangelicals who believe that smoking marijuana is morally wrong.

50%

All Americans who agree.

60%

Evangelicals who believe that sex between unmarried adults is morally wrong.

35%

All Americans who agree.

58%

Evangelicals who believe that telling a lie to spare someone’s feelings is morally wrong.

43%

All Americans who agree.

57%

Evangelicals who believe that gambling is morally wrong.

35%

All Americans who agree.

46%

Evangelicals who believe that overeating is morally wrong.

32%

All Americans who agree.

* * *

Americans who leave Catholic churches for every one who joins.

Americans who join evangelical churches for every one who leaves.

Sources: Pew Research Center for The People & The Press, Religion News Service

Related Elsewhere:

See our earlier Go Figure postings from April 2007, March 2007, February 2007, January 2007, December 2006, November 2006, October 2006, and earlier issues.

- More from Ted Olsen

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.