- A couple of interesting Gallup polls shed light on what the country really believes.
By now, we're all pretty much convinced morality is suffering in this country due to the erosion of the family unit and decline of organized religion. Many believe a social change is in the offing; that such things as same-sex marriage is now considered normal, cheating and deceit are commonplace, and Judeo-Christian beliefs are no longer in vogue. Not so fast. During this past holiday season, the Gallup organization published a couple of interesting polls challenging these assumptions.
Although the survey studied church attendance during the holiday season, they were also interested in general attendance. Interestingly, it is now close to where it was in 1940 and 1950. Although it peeked at 49% in the "Ozzie and Harriet" years of the 1950's, today it has leveled off at approximately 40%, which, surprisingly, is slightly higher than the years of World War II.
The study also reported 56% of Americans today say religion is "very important" in their lives, while another 22% said it is "fairly important," and 22% said it is "not very important." Although it is less than the high of 75% in 1952, the poll does reflect the country's general acceptance of God.
This report is in sharp contrast to frequent media reports of the demise of religion. It is simply not so. It also explains why Biblical entertainment is on the rise; e.g., History Channel's "The Bible" miniseries, and 20th Century Fox's "Son of God."
Whereas it is generally assumed the family unit is in disarray, that everyone is plugged into video games, smart phones, and HDTV; in reality, the family is making an effort to meet and talk around the dinner table which is considered healthy for social development. According to the Gallup study, 53% percent of adults with children younger than 18 say their family eats dinner together at home six or seven nights a week. Further, married parents report eating dinner at home with their families more often than unmarried ones, which is an acknowledgement of a stable home environment anchored by parents.
These studies fly in the face of atheists and those with a twisted sense of family. In essence, it means the majority of Americans still believe in the virtue of the family unit and in God. To a lot of Americans, this will be viewed as a couple of welcomed rays of hope. It also means, our world may not be as bad as the media portrays it.
Keep the Faith!
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Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com
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Copyright © 2014 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.
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