News

Go Figure

Get the numbers on homeschoolers, church conflict, and religion’s influence.

850,000   Students ages 5–17 homeschooled in 1999.

1.5 million   Students ages 5–17 who are homeschooled today.

83%   Homeschooling parents who do so for religious or moral instruction.

(Source: National Center for Education Statistics)

26%   Churches that said they have experienced a conflict within the last two years that led some people to leave.

27%   Churches that said this in 1998.

5   Decrease in median congregation size (75 people) since 1998.

(Source: National Congregations Study)

67%   Americans who say religion is losing its influence on American life.

50%   Americans who said this in April 2005.

24%   Americans who said this in December 2001.

(Source: Gallup Poll)

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Related Elsewhere:

See our earlier Go Figure postings from February 2009, January 2009, December 2008, November 2008, October 2008, September 2008, August 2008, July 2008, June 2008, May 2008, April 2008, March 2008, February 2008, January 2008, December 2007, November 2007, October 2007, September 2007, 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.

Cover Story

The Depression Epidemic

Editorial

Year of the Study Bible

Books Uncommon and Offbeat

Review

Looking Evil in the Face

Hiding What They Seek

Review

Hints of the Trinity

News

Making the Local Church a Hero

My Top 5 Resources for Lent

Standing with the Desolate

News

Devilish and Divine

Review

Knowing Your Place

The Other Side of Church Growth

News

IrishWatch

Staring into the Abyss

The Great Passing On

Editorial

Reducing Abortion for Real

News

Long Live the Law

News

The Radical Conservative

News

Praying for 'Our Daily Bread'

Connecting to Hope

When You're Depressed

My Life with Antidepressants

Light When All Is Dark

News

A Dream That Won't Die

News

News Briefs: March 01, 2009

Readers Write

News

You've Got Jail

News

Passages

News

Conscience Clashes

News

Quieter Killings

News

Saving Souls for Less

News

Capital Closures in Myanmar

News

Quotation Marks

News

God in Gaza

View issue

Our Latest

The National Guard Debate Needs a Dose of Honesty

Criticizing federal overreach while remaining silent about local failures does not serve the cause of justice.

News

Saudi Arabian Prison Frees Kenyan After ‘Blood Money’ Payout

A Christian mother relied on the Muslim practice of “diyat” to bring her son home alive.

Why Fans Trust Forrest Frank

The enormously popular Christian artist says he experienced miraculous healing. His parasocial friends say “amen.”

How a Missionary Family in Lebanon Produced an American Hero

Bill Eddy’s Arabic acumen served US interests and forged Middle East ties.

Eight Divine Names in One Glorious Passage

Hebrew terms for God appear across the Old Testament. The prophet Isaiah brings them all together.

The Bulletin

Venezuelan Boat Attack, Payday Loans, and USAID Fire Sale

The Bulletin discusses the attack on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat, predatory lending, and the destruction of items from cancelled USAID projects.

Why an Early American Missionary Family Was Beloved in Lebanon

Over five decades of multigenerational ministry, the Eddys pioneered health and educational outreach.

Are Christians Hotter?

The social media “Jesus glow” trend is just another kind of prosperity gospel.

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