It seems the outcome of a new study has recently been released that presents what Americans think about sin. The study sample is only 1,000 people, but there you go.
Here is the researcher’s website, Ellison Research, and some stuff on the study and its results.
I found a couple things interesting.
Of the 1,000 people polled, 82% found “Adultery“ to be “Sin or Sinful Behavior.” Of those who “Believe in Sin, but Don’t Define This as Sin,” the result was 6%.
Now, consider the results for “Homosexual activity or sex“. I’m surprised that only 52% found this to be “Sin or Sinful behavior,” while 35% said that they “Believe in Sin, but Don’t Define This as Sin.”
It would seem that those who can’t help but to become obsessed over one issue or one “sin” in order to gain power and raise money or make themselves feel good about themselves, all in the name of the Lord of course, it would seem that Adultery would be a much more valuable sin to focus on, since 82% of the respondents believe Adultery to be sinful while only 52% believe homosexual behavior to be sinful. Why, then, the obsession over homosexuality?
Remember, too, that the recently released results from the Pew Foundation showed that among Mainline and Evangelical Americans (this study had a sample of 35,000 people), there was an equal amount of people, 5% for both, who were “living with a partner.” Interesting how the same percentage exists between the two groups, isn’t it?
Daily Archives: March 14, 2008
The City #18
Sometimes, walking around the City I get a small, short glimpse of life – a snapshot, a moment in the lives of a few individuals. Sometimes, these snapshots are vividly embedded in my mind and remembering them seems as real as when I experienced them.
The other day I was walking from work to the subway. I crossed the street and walking to the intersection I saw a father with his young son in hand. The father, perhaps the boy’s grandfather, was bending low as they walked and was talking earnestly to the boy, about what I’m not sure. The little boy, who was probably an older-three or four years old, was looking up into the sky or at the buildings and was just doing “raspberries.”
Just that moment – the earnestness and seriousness of aging men and the frivolity and carefree-ness of little boys.
I’ve been in a “people are just plain idiots” phase over the last couple of weeks. This glimpse of joyous life brings me back to reality and balance and the realization that I do love God’s brazenly chaotic Creation.