U NCHURCHED 2007
2 Methodology Phone survey of 900 adults ages 18 through 29 using representative national sample in early 2007 Phone survey of 900 adults ages 18 through 29 using representative national sample in early 2007 Phone survey of 502 adults ages 30 and over using representative national sample during summer 2007 Phone survey of 502 adults ages 30 and over using representative national sample during summer 2007 Merging of samples with statistical weighting produces a combined sample of 1402 for unchurched adults in the United States Merging of samples with statistical weighting produces a combined sample of 1402 for unchurched adults in the United States
3 Methodology Sample size of 1,402 provides 95% confidence that sampling error does not exceed +2.5% for the total sample Sample size of 1,402 provides 95% confidence that sampling error does not exceed +2.5% for the total sample Respondents screened as being unchurched using the question: “Have you attended a religious service in a church, synagogue, or mosque, at any time in the past six months?” Respondents screened as being unchurched using the question: “Have you attended a religious service in a church, synagogue, or mosque, at any time in the past six months?” All findings broken out by demographic groups were selected because they are statistically significant (p-value<0.05) All findings broken out by demographic groups were selected because they are statistically significant (p-value<0.05)
B ELIEFS
5 Among unchurched minorities (Hispanics, African American, Asians), over 90% believe in God compared to 69% of whites. 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. 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. Among unchurched adults, 58% of younger adults (ages ) agree (strongly or somewhat) compared to 67% of older adults (30 years and older).
8 Jesus died and came back to life Among unchurched adults, 66% of younger adults (ages ) agree (strongly or somewhat) compared to 54% of older adults (30 years and older).
S PIRITUALITY
10 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
11 Believing in Jesus makes a positive difference in a person’s life
T HE C HURCH
13 The church is full of hypocrites, people who criticize others for doing the same things they do themselves
O PINIONS OF C HRISTIANITY
15 The Christian religion is a relevant and viable religion for today
16 I think Christianity today is more about organized religion than about loving God and loving people
17 Christians get on my nerves
E VANGELISM
19 If someone wanted to tell me what she or he believed about Christianity, I would be willing to listen Among unchurched adults, 89% of younger adults (ages ) 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
21 Asked among 502 adults age 30 or older. For this sample, margin of error is % at the 95% confidence interval. Christians I know talk to me about their beliefs too often
22 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 % at the 95% confidence interval.