News

Go Figure

Get the numbers on cancer patients, American Idol, and lay leaders.

11.3% Highly religious cancer patients who received mechanical ventilation during the last week of life, in a study of 345 advanced cancer patients.

3.6% Least religious patients who received mechanical ventilation.

(Source: Journal of the American Medical Association)

6 Number of the 11 American Idol finalists who regularly perform at places of worship.

3 Number who have worked as worship leaders at a church.

(Source: Associated Press)

31% Congregations that would accept a member of a cohabiting unmarried couple as a lay leader.

23% Congregations that would accept a member of an openly homosexual couple as a lay leader.

(Source: National Congregations Study)

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Related Elsewhere:

See our earlier Go Figure postings from April 2009, March 2009, 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.

News

The Not-for-Profit Surge

Books Uncommon and Offbeat

Keeping Holy Ground Holy

Theology in Wood and Concrete

Praying 'Deliver Us from Evil'

Surveying the Wondrous Cross

Review

Science and the Mystic

Abolishing Homelessness in Ten Years

My Top 5 Spiritual Memoirs

What Do Prayer Studies Prove?

News

More Giving, Less Taxing

News

Pressure to Prove Himself

News

'The Perfect Hybrid'

Review

What to Do with the Stranger?

Augustine's Origin of Species

From the Printing Press to the iPhone

Readers Write

Out of Step and Fine with It

News

Learning from Widows

News

A Simple, Old-Fashioned Fundraiser

CreationWatch

Why We Need Earthquakes

News

Passages

News

Be Careful What You Wish For

News

News Briefs: May 01, 2009

News

Quotation Marks

News

El Salvador's Values Voters

Q & A: Carl Moeller

News

Faith on the Frontera

News

A Problematic Peace Accord

News

Caring for the Caregivers

News

Church Pink Slips

News

In Over His Pay Grade

View issue

Our Latest

News

Malaysian Court Vindicates Family of Abducted Pastor

A judge finds authorities complicit in Raymond Koh’s disappearance, granting millions in damages and ordering a new investigation.

News

When God Closes a Church, He Opens Another?

US evangelicals are buying up shuttered Catholic properties.

Why CT Was Skeptical of Cold War Calls for Peace

In 1959, evangelicals looked to political leaders to hold up America’s great spiritual heritage as responses to the Soviet Union divided Christians.

The Bulletin

Dick Cheney Dies, Democrats Win Elections, and Merz Says ‘Go Home’

The life and legacy of Dick Cheney, Tuesday’s elections, and Germany signals future deportations.

News

After Hurricane Melissa, Jamaican Baptists Look to Rebuild from the Ruins

Churches step in as shelters, aid sites, and sources of hope after the island’s strongest storm.

News

Zohran Mamdani’s Coalition Captured Some Christians, Alarmed Others

The democratic socialist’s energetic campaign paid off in Tuesday’s election.

The Just Life with Benjamin Watson

Justin Giboney: Stop Outsourcing Your Witness

Faith that holds conviction and compassion in the same breath.

When Songs Undermine Orthodoxy

Church songs need to be true, not necessarily catchy.

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