Unchurched 2007

UNCHURCHEDUNCHURCHED 20072007

2

MethodologyMethodology Phone survey of 900 adults ages 18 through Phone survey of 900 adults ages 18 through

29 using representative national sample in 29 using representative national sample in early 2007early 2007

Phone survey of 502 adults ages 30 and over Phone survey of 502 adults ages 30 and over using representative national sample during using representative national sample during summer 2007summer 2007

Merging of samples with statistical weighting Merging of samples with statistical weighting produces a combined sample of 1402 for produces a combined sample of 1402 for unchurched adults in the United Statesunchurched adults in the United States

3

MethodologyMethodology Sample size of 1,402 provides 95% Sample size of 1,402 provides 95%

confidence that sampling error does not confidence that sampling error does not exceed +2.5% for the total sampleexceed +2.5% for the total sample

Respondents screened as being unchurched Respondents screened as being unchurched using the question: “Have you attended a using the question: “Have you attended a religious service in a church, synagogue, or religious service in a church, synagogue, or mosque, at any time in the past six months?” mosque, at any time in the past six months?”

All findings broken out by demographic All findings broken out by demographic groups were selected because they are groups were selected because they are statistically significant (p-value<0.05)statistically significant (p-value<0.05)

BELIEBELIEFSFS

5

• Among unchurched minorities (Hispanics, African American, Asians), over 90% believe in God compared to 69% of whites.

52%

9%16% 20%

0%20%40%60%80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree

SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree

God, a higher or supreme being, actually exists

6

• Among unchurched adults, 83% of African Americans are the most likely to believe in the one God of the Bible compared to 72% for Hispanics and 42% for whites.

15%

38%33%

10%

0%20%40%60%80%100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree

SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree

There exists only one God, the God described in the Bible

7

The God of the Bible is no different from the gods or spiritual beings depicted by world religions such as Islam,

Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.

39%

13%20% 22%

0%20%40%60%80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree

SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree

• Among unchurched adults, 58% of younger adults (ages 18-29) agree (strongly or somewhat) compared to 67% of older adults (30 years and older).

8

Jesus died and came back to life

36%

11%

29%

16%

0%20%40%60%80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree

SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree

• Among unchurched adults, 66% of younger adults (ages 18-29) agree (strongly or somewhat) compared to 54% of older adults (30 years and older).

SPIRITUALISPIRITUALITYTY

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• Unchurched adults who attended church weekly during their childhood are equally likely to agree (strongly or somewhat) compared to unchurched adults who attended church less often as a child.

I believe I can have a good relationship with God without being involved in a church

70%

3%8% 16%

0%20%40%60%80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree

SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree

11

Believing in Jesus makes a positive difference in a person’s life

11%

40%

14%

31%

0%20%40%60%80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree

SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree

THE THE CHURCHCHURCH

13

The church is full of hypocrites, people who criticize others for doing the same things they

do themselves

14%

39%

11%33%

0%20%40%60%80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree

SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree

OPINIONS OF OPINIONS OF CHRISTIANITCHRISTIANIT

YY

15

The Christian religion is a relevant and viable religion for today

19%34%

15%30%

0%20%40%60%80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree

SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree

16

I think Christianity today is more about organized religion than about loving God and

loving people

53%

9%9%

26%

0%20%40%60%80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree

SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree

17

Christians get on my nerves

18% 12%

36% 32%

0%20%40%60%80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree

SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree

EVANGELISEVANGELISMM

19

If someone wanted to tell me what she or he believed about Christianity, I would be willing

to listen

50%

10%12%28%

0%20%40%60%80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree

SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree

• Among unchurched adults, 89% of younger adults (ages 18-29) agree (strongly or somewhat) compared to 75% of older adults (30 years and older).

20

I have at least one close friend who considers himself or herself a Christian

82%

4%6% 7%0%

20%40%60%80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree

SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree

21

Asked among 502 adults age 30 or older. For this sample, margin of error is + 4.4 % at the 95% confidence interval.

27%

8%

44%

20%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree

SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree

Christians I know talk to me about their beliefs too often

22

53%

9%13% 25%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree

SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree

I would enjoy an honest conversation with a friend about religious and spiritual beliefs even if we disagree

Asked among 502 adults age 30 or older. For this sample, margin of error is + 4.4 % at the 95% confidence interval.