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Go Figure

Recent stats on religious expression, public displays, and marriage.

70%

6%

3%

Americans support posting the Ten Commandments in government buildings. Americans who say they have too much religious freedom. Americans who say students in public schools have too much religious freedom.

85%

26%

18%

Americans who would support posting if the commandments are included as “one document among many historical documents.” Americans who say they have too little religious freedom. Americans who say students in public schools have too much freedom of expression.

31%

50%

Americans who say they have too little religious freedom in the workplace. Americans who think students in public schools have too little religious freedom (3% say too much)

23%

Americans who say students in public schools have too little freedom of expression.

47%

36%

14%

Americans who say the government should be allowed to restrict speech that might be offensive to religious groups on broadcast television. Americans who say a display of the Ten Commandments in a public building is primarily an acknowledgement of God. Decrease in risk of divorce (in the first decade of marriage) for those having a religious affiliation vs. those who don’t.

49%

52%

30%

Americans who disagree. Americans who say it’s primarily a statement about the roots of our laws. Decrease for those with an annual income over $50,000 vs. those who make under $25,000.

38%

71%

Americans who say the government should be not be allowed to restrict nudity on broadcast television. Americans who say that the phrase “one nation, under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance is primarily a statement related to the American political tradition rather than religious.

52%

Americans who say teachers and other public school officials should be allowed to lead prayers in public school.

51.7%

35%

64.7%

Chance that an American woman age 15 or older is married. American babies born to unmarried women. High school seniors males who expected to marry, or were married, who said it is “very likely” they will stay married to the same person for life.

30.4%

40%

58.1%

Chance if she’s black. Of those, babies born to unmarried couples living together. High school seniors males who said this five to ten years ago.

25%

Chance that she’s living with an unmarried partner.

10.9%

Chance that a woman age 15 or older has had a divorce.

Sources: First Amendment Center, National Marriage Project

Copyright © 2005 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere

Sources: First Amendment Center, National Marriage Project.

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.

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