The Bulletin Board:(Please SCROLL DOWN this page to find the article titled on this post in LARGE CAPITAL LETTERS. Thank you.)
U.S. Supreme Court has Reconvened: Let's be praying WHENEVER the Court is in session as their decisions can have impact on GENERATIONS to come. The fact that they may have an opportunity this session to actually vote on same-sex "marriage" where it has the same impact on this country that Roe v. Wade did should be motivating enough!
Of course, let's CONTINUE PRAYING FOR AN END TO THE EBOLA CRISIS IN WEST AFRICA AND THE HEALING OF ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INFECTED.
"Tebow’s Not Some Freak for (Still) Praying: Lots of Americans Do, Too" - Byron R. Johnson / November 18, 2014 / http://dailysignal.com/2014/11/18/tebows-freak-still-praying-lots-americans/?utm_source=heritagefoundation&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=morningbell&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRokva%2FKZKXonjHpfsX56eguXa%2B3lMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4CRMVgI%2BSLDwEYGJlv6SgFQrLBMa1ozrgOWxU%3D
Tim Tebow (Photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
No one’s praying habits have attracted as much attention in recent years as those of former NFL player Tim Tebow. His public displays of faith, both on and off the football field, spurred attention, ignited debate, and even led to the Tebowing trend. Now, Christian singer Tanner Clark reveals Tebow’s priorities haven’t changed (hat tip: IJ Review): ["Tim Tebow May Not Be on the Field Anymore, But He Got Caught in the Act Again" - http://www.ijreview.com/2014/11/203298-tim-tebow-publicly-proudly-sharing-faith/ - "...Nowadays the free agent is spending more time in a suit and tie instead of pads and a helmet, but some things just don’t change. Reporting from Gainesville, Florida on Saturday with the SEC network, Tebow was caught leading a prayer with his co-hosts while they were supposedly off-air. Christian singer Tanner Clark snapped a picture of the private moment and shared it on Facebook. (Go to this site to see the picture.)
But as the essay below, reprinted from the 2014 Index of Culture and Opportunity published by The Heritage Foundation, shows, many Americans today remain religious. It’s not just Tebow who’s putting time aside to pray.
To understand social trends, collecting data on indicators such as religious attendance is an important undertaking. Media accounts suggest a consistent if not dramatic decline of the faith factor in America: that young people under 30 are deserting the church; that women are rapidly falling away from religion; that millennials are leaving the faith of their parents; and that the religiously unaffiliated (a.k.a., “nones”) have increased twofold in recent decades.
But upon closer examination of additional data from the General Social Survey, as well as other data sources, these headlines are revealed as misleading, inaccurate and biased. The real story is that across 40 years, there have been only small variations in church attendance.
Surveys perennially find that younger people are less likely to attend church, reflecting the fact that many single young adults choose to sleep in on Sunday mornings once they are out on their own. Once they marry, and especially once they have children, their attendance rates recover. Recent research confirms if people do not marry, and if they do not have children, there is a real decline in church attendance—a finding that is particularly striking among the poor and less educated. On the other hand, many who do not attend church regularly, especially the elderly, consistently report high levels of religious commitment and belief.
The number of American atheists has remained steady at 4 percent since 1944, but church membership has reached an all-time high.
Media reports also have highlighted a supposed significant decline in women’s religious attendance, but this is not accurate. The Baylor Religion Survey shows that in 2007, 38 percent of women, compared with 26 percent of men, described themselves as “very religious.” This gap, a phenomenon observable for every nation around the globe, continues in America. In 1991, according to GSS data, 38 percent of women and 28 percent of men said they attended weekly; in 2002, 36 percent of women and 24 percent of men; in 2008, 36 percent of women and 25 percent of men; and in 2010, 34 percent of women and 25 percent of men said they attended weekly.
Millennials, like the vast majority of Americans, consider themselves religious. In fact, in a pluralistic society like America, where options abound, many people, including millennials, switch churches, and they do so for a variety of reasons. Oftentimes this means they will attend a church from a denomination different from the one in which they were raised. This change does not mean, as many have wrongly concluded, that they have departed the faith. In fact, many go to churches that are more theologically conservative than the ones in which they were raised. Switching churches is a fascinating subject and if anything, a marker of religious vitality, not decline.
The rise of those reporting no religious affiliation (a.k.a., “nones”) on traditional surveys has contributed to other inaccurate perceptions. Most surveys, including the GSS, do not ask respondents enough questions to accurately sort out religious affiliation. In the Baylor Religion Survey, we not only asked the identical affiliation question used by the GSS; we also asked respondents—including the nones—if they attended religious services. Some of the nones not only indicated they regularly attended, but provided us with the name and address of their church, and a surprising number were nondenominational and evangelical. The knee-jerk reaction that all nones are unaffiliated—or atheists—is false.
Finally, the fact that the number of American atheists has remained steady at 4 percent since 1944, and that church membership has reached an all-time high, remind us that indicators are helpful in seeing an accurate picture of what is really happening in our society.
[bold and italics emphasis mine]
Byron R. Johnson is distinguished professor of the social sciences at Baylor University and founding Director of the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion (ISR).
PRAY FOR AMERICA: THANK GOD for His many blessings on America throughout it's history. May we then ask that AMERICA once again be a blessing TO GOD, by once again submitting to HIS will in our affairs - both personal and national - that He may truly "heal our land." (2 Chron. 7:14)
NOW THAT THE ELECTION IS OVER:1) Let's be praying that God showed us grace in giving us representatives who will sincerely work to DO NO HARM to us and future generations. Let's also be praying that should He have chosen to give us those who WILL do us harm, that He extends mercy to us now and for the years ahead. His will is now done as far as the results we have. Now it's up to us to be diligent to hold those elected accountable!, and 2) Let's be praying that the present lame-duck session in Congress will not be allowed to pass legislation that will do harm to our country as they can easily do. (See post #1051 - 'Return of the Zombie).
NOW THAT THE ELECTION IS OVER:1) Let's be praying that God showed us grace in giving us representatives who will sincerely work to DO NO HARM to us and future generations. Let's also be praying that should He have chosen to give us those who WILL do us harm, that He extends mercy to us now and for the years ahead. His will is now done as far as the results we have. Now it's up to us to be diligent to hold those elected accountable!, and 2) Let's be praying that the present lame-duck session in Congress will not be allowed to pass legislation that will do harm to our country as they can easily do. (See post #1051 - 'Return of the Zombie).
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST: Save Christian Mom Asia Bibi from Execution - A Christian mom has been sentenced to death in Pakistan for her faith. Asia Bibi was falsely accused of “blasphemy” – speaking against the prophet Muhammad. Now this wife and mother of five will hang for her Christian faith.She would be the first woman executed under Pakistan’s Shariah blasphemy law.This is the ultimate human rights violation. We’re mobilizing our international affiliate – the European Centre for Law and Justice – and its partner in Pakistan to stop this atrocity. Add your name to our letter to the government of Pakistan demanding Asia Bibi’s freedom.Go to http://aclj.org/persecuted-church/save-christian-mom-asia-bibi-from-execution; please add your signature to mine and over 35,000 others AND pray for Asia Bibi.
U.S. Supreme Court has Reconvened: Let's be praying WHENEVER the Court is in session as their decisions can have impact on GENERATIONS to come. The fact that they may have an opportunity this session to actually vote on same-sex "marriage" where it has the same impact on this country that Roe v. Wade did should be motivating enough!
WORLD-WDE PRAYER REQUESTS:
Friday, Sept. 26th - Two Year Anniversary of Pastor Saeed Abedini's Imprisonment in Iran! - [NOTE TODAY'S POST!]
We need to continue to pray for Pastor Saeed - that his health will improve and that he will be re-united with his wife and two young children who live in the United States. [If you have not yet, please sign the petition for his clemency- http://beheardproject.com/saeed#sign]
PRAY ALSO : - For comfort and peace for Saeed’s wife and children here in the U.S.\
- For a strong witness and testimony from Pastor Abedini in the prison where God has placed him
- For Christians around the world who are being persecuted for their faith in Christ
- For leadership from the White House and State Department in defending the freedoms of Abedini and other Americans
"Not Everyone Happy with Religious Ambassador Pick," Caitlin Burke,July 29, 2014;
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/July/Obama-Taps-Rabbi-for-Religious-Freedom-Ambassador/ "..An estimated 76 percent of the world's population live in countries where religious freedom is restricted. Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States must take a strong stand against those violations. "Around the world repressive governments and extremists groups have been crystal clear about what they stand against, so we have to be equally clear about what we must stand for," Kerry said. "We stand for greater freedom, for greater tolerance, greater respect, for rights of freedom of expression and freedom of conscience," he said A key development in the 2013 report is the large number of displaced members of religious communities, including entire Christian communities in Syria and Iraq that have been forced to flee their homes because of persecution."
SIGN A PETITION TO THE UN FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHRISTIANS :" The church in Syria has shone brightly for 2,000 years. But today violence and persecution threatens its survival. Thanks to an incredible response, Open Doors is helping 8,000 families in Syria survive each month. We believe the signatures and prayers of 500,000 people will encourage the UN to act and protect the rights and lives of all Syrians, especially the vulnerable Christian community." Go to: http://lp.opendoorsusa.org/emails/nov-13-action/save-syria.html?utm_source=action&utm_medium=email&utm_content=button&utm_campaign=november
Of course, let's CONTINUE PRAYING FOR AN END TO THE EBOLA CRISIS IN WEST AFRICA AND THE HEALING OF ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INFECTED.
PRAY FOR THE CRISIS HAPPENING NOW IN IRAQ (see post #907) Pray that allied forces will be able to drive the group ISIS back (see post #964)
/PRAYER ALERT- UKRAINE: As the Lord leads, please pray:
*For God to suppress President Putin’s ambitions to "restore" the Soviet empire.
*For the people of Ukrainen [esp. for the church 'to be THE church'] as they wait to see if the Russian troops will advance.
*About President Obama and to use wisdom in crafting our foreign policy, and wisdom for his advisers.
Continue to Pray for EGYPT - Continue to pray for the tense situation in Egypt and especially for the Christian believers who are being targeted with violence by Muslim Brotherhood members.]
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"Tebow’s Not Some Freak for (Still) Praying: Lots of Americans Do, Too" - Byron R. Johnson / November 18, 2014 / http://dailysignal.com/2014/11/18/tebows-freak-still-praying-lots-americans/?utm_source=heritagefoundation&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=morningbell&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRokva%2FKZKXonjHpfsX56eguXa%2B3lMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4CRMVgI%2BSLDwEYGJlv6SgFQrLBMa1ozrgOWxU%3D
Tim Tebow (Photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
No one’s praying habits have attracted as much attention in recent years as those of former NFL player Tim Tebow. His public displays of faith, both on and off the football field, spurred attention, ignited debate, and even led to the Tebowing trend. Now, Christian singer Tanner Clark reveals Tebow’s priorities haven’t changed (hat tip: IJ Review): ["Tim Tebow May Not Be on the Field Anymore, But He Got Caught in the Act Again" - http://www.ijreview.com/2014/11/203298-tim-tebow-publicly-proudly-sharing-faith/ - "...Nowadays the free agent is spending more time in a suit and tie instead of pads and a helmet, but some things just don’t change. Reporting from Gainesville, Florida on Saturday with the SEC network, Tebow was caught leading a prayer with his co-hosts while they were supposedly off-air. Christian singer Tanner Clark snapped a picture of the private moment and shared it on Facebook. (Go to this site to see the picture.)
But as the essay below, reprinted from the 2014 Index of Culture and Opportunity published by The Heritage Foundation, shows, many Americans today remain religious. It’s not just Tebow who’s putting time aside to pray.
To understand social trends, collecting data on indicators such as religious attendance is an important undertaking. Media accounts suggest a consistent if not dramatic decline of the faith factor in America: that young people under 30 are deserting the church; that women are rapidly falling away from religion; that millennials are leaving the faith of their parents; and that the religiously unaffiliated (a.k.a., “nones”) have increased twofold in recent decades.
But upon closer examination of additional data from the General Social Survey, as well as other data sources, these headlines are revealed as misleading, inaccurate and biased. The real story is that across 40 years, there have been only small variations in church attendance.
Surveys perennially find that younger people are less likely to attend church, reflecting the fact that many single young adults choose to sleep in on Sunday mornings once they are out on their own. Once they marry, and especially once they have children, their attendance rates recover. Recent research confirms if people do not marry, and if they do not have children, there is a real decline in church attendance—a finding that is particularly striking among the poor and less educated. On the other hand, many who do not attend church regularly, especially the elderly, consistently report high levels of religious commitment and belief.
The number of American atheists has remained steady at 4 percent since 1944, but church membership has reached an all-time high.
Media reports also have highlighted a supposed significant decline in women’s religious attendance, but this is not accurate. The Baylor Religion Survey shows that in 2007, 38 percent of women, compared with 26 percent of men, described themselves as “very religious.” This gap, a phenomenon observable for every nation around the globe, continues in America. In 1991, according to GSS data, 38 percent of women and 28 percent of men said they attended weekly; in 2002, 36 percent of women and 24 percent of men; in 2008, 36 percent of women and 25 percent of men; and in 2010, 34 percent of women and 25 percent of men said they attended weekly.
Millennials, like the vast majority of Americans, consider themselves religious. In fact, in a pluralistic society like America, where options abound, many people, including millennials, switch churches, and they do so for a variety of reasons. Oftentimes this means they will attend a church from a denomination different from the one in which they were raised. This change does not mean, as many have wrongly concluded, that they have departed the faith. In fact, many go to churches that are more theologically conservative than the ones in which they were raised. Switching churches is a fascinating subject and if anything, a marker of religious vitality, not decline.
The rise of those reporting no religious affiliation (a.k.a., “nones”) on traditional surveys has contributed to other inaccurate perceptions. Most surveys, including the GSS, do not ask respondents enough questions to accurately sort out religious affiliation. In the Baylor Religion Survey, we not only asked the identical affiliation question used by the GSS; we also asked respondents—including the nones—if they attended religious services. Some of the nones not only indicated they regularly attended, but provided us with the name and address of their church, and a surprising number were nondenominational and evangelical. The knee-jerk reaction that all nones are unaffiliated—or atheists—is false.
Finally, the fact that the number of American atheists has remained steady at 4 percent since 1944, and that church membership has reached an all-time high, remind us that indicators are helpful in seeing an accurate picture of what is really happening in our society.
[bold and italics emphasis mine]
Byron R. Johnson is distinguished professor of the social sciences at Baylor University and founding Director of the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion (ISR).
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