News

Go Figure

Recent stats on ministry, other religions, and life ethics.

Ministry

78% Americans who believe the presence of a church is “very” (53%) or “somewhat” (25%) positive for their community. Only 5% think the presence is negative.

21% Americans who can’t name a way in which churches contribute positively to their communities.

Source: Barna Research

Other Religions

Americans who believe more people practicing religions other than Christianity is a:

Good thing for society: 24%

Don’t know: 3%

Doesn’t make much difference: 51%

Bad thing for society: 22%

Source: Pew Research Center for the People & the Press

Life Ethics

80 Restrictions on abortion enacted in the first half of 2011.

23 Restrictions enacted in 2010.

34 Restrictions enacted in 2005, the previous record holder.

Source: Guttmacher Institute

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Related Elsewhere:

See our earlier “Go Figure” postings from August 2011, July 2011, June 2011, May 2011, April 2011, February 2011, January 2011, December 2010, November 2010, October 2010,September 2010, August 2010, July 2010, June 2010, May 2010, April 2010, March 2010, February 2010, January 2010, December 2009, 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.

Public Theology Project

The Gospel at Ground Zero

Wilson's Bookmarks

My Top 5 Books on TV and Movies

Review

The Antidote to Alcohol and Drug Addiction

The Science of Shacking Up

News

Growing in the Word

News

Parental Frights: Can Parents Practice Rites that Scare Children?

Books to Note

A Wordless Presence

Excerpt

The King Jesus Gospel

A Cross at the Bookends

Loving Muslims One at a Time

Saving the Superheroes: Ministering to the Emergency Dispatch

Believers on the MOVE

Muslim Missions: Then & Now

How Christian Leaders Have Changed Since 9/11

Have Muslim-Christian Relations Improved Since 9/11?

Editorial

Battle for the Bible Translation

Readers Write

News

Apologetics Makes a Comeback Among Youth

News

Should Churches Try to Minimize Disruptions?

News

Passages

DeVon Franklin Keeps the Faith in Hollywood

News

Court Rejects Prostitution Restrictions on AIDS Funding

The Lasting Effects of Your School

Criminalizing Circumcision

News

Hundreds Jailed for Sectarian Violence, Turkish Leaders Smooth Way for Christians, & More News

News

Missional Church Mergers

News

Quotation Marks

View issue

Our Latest

My Friend, Bill Pannell

A reflection on the trailblazing Black theologian and his influence on American evangelicalism.

What Are Parents For?

Scripture has a clear vision for parents as stewards of our children. It’s not an instruction manual for modern parenting spats.

News

When the Elder Calls—From Outer Space

Two sick church members in their 90s got a pastoral “visit” from a friend—an astronaut stuck on the International Space Station.

Being Human

Trauma, Tenacity, and Trusting God with Beth Moore

The Bible teacher and author reflects on the Lord’s presence throughout her life.

News

Died: Jack Iker, Anglican Who Drew the Line at Women’s Ordination

The Texas bishop fought a bitter legal battle with the Episcopal Church and won.

Why Can’t We Talk to Each Other Anymore?

Online interactions are draining us of energy to have hard conversations in person.

How Priscilla Shirer Surrenders All

The best-selling Bible teacher writes about putting God first in her life and how healthy Christian discipleship requires sacrifice

Church Disappointment Is Multilayered

Jude 3 Project founder Lisa Fields speaks about navigating frustrations with God and fellow believers.

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