RELIGIOSITY AND DIVORCE
(article from http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/atheism8.htm )
Want A Steady Marriage? Try An Atheist...
"Among non-Christians groups the levels vary ... Jews, for
instance, are among those most likely to divorce (30%) , while
atheists and agnostics are below the norm (21%). Mormons,
renowned for their emphasis upon strong families, are no different
from the national average (24%)." - Barna Research Group
With questionable studies claiming to link religious belief and
everything from mysterious medical cures to better health, athletic
performance and (if the President of the United States is to be
believed...) resistance to drug abuse, it is surprising to note the latest
finding from another religious pollster, the Barna Research Group.
(Barna is a "born again Christian" who runs the Barna Research Group)
We have tasked Barna for some of its dubious claims in the past,
such as statistics indicating a huge market of regular listeners to
Christian radio stations.
The group's findings for December 21, 1999 though examine
divorce and religiosity, and yield some interesting results. To wit...
"Born again Christians continue to have a higher likelihood of
getting divorced than do non-Chrsitians..." and "Atheists are
less likely to get divorced than are born again Christians."
The Barna survey interviewed nearly 4000 adults, and indicated
that 11% of the adult population is currently divorced, and 25% of
adults have had at least one divorce during their life time. Divorce
rates for born again Christians register at 27%, which is three
percent over the range of adults who are not born again.
"Nationally, 29% of all Baptist adults have been divorced," notes
Barna. Slightly higher,at 34% are those in "non-denominational,"
independent Protestant churches.
"Among non-Christians groups the levels vary ... Jews, for
instance, are among those most likely to divorce (30%) have, while
atheists and agnostics are below the norm (21%). Mormons,
renowned for their emphasis upon strong families, are no different
from the national average (24%)."
In addition, the Baby Boomers -- that generation often criticized
for sexual indulgence, moral relativism and other pernicious
behaviors -- has a lower rate of divorce (34%) than the preceding
generation (described as "Builders"), who hover at 37%.
Other findings from Barna:
¦ "Surprisingly, the Christian denomination whose adherents
have the highest likelihood of getting divorced are Baptists."
Twenty-nine percent of the Baptists have been to the divorce court,
although non-denominational Christians (small sects, independents)
show an even higher rate of 34%. Catholics and Lutherans have the
lowest percentage of divorces, 21%. The mainline Protestants
"experience divorce on par with the national average (25%)," notes
Barna. Interestingly, Mormons -- "renowned for their emphasis upon
strong families"-- come in close to that average, at 24%.
¦ "Among the characteristics that do not seem to be
related to divorce are educational achievement, household
income, and political ideology."
Barna does not attempt to explain why atheists have a
much lower divorce rate than our religious counterparts. The
research, according to the Barna report, "also raises questions
regarding the effectiveness of how churches minister to families"
and "challenges the idea that churches provide truly practical and
life-changing support for marriage."
CONFLICTING CLAIMS OF CHURCH ATTENDANCE
Equally curious is a study released by Barna on December 6,
1999 titled "America's Congregations: More Money but Fewer
People." When compared to the Gallup poll claims of church
attendance, it suggests a conflicting set of figures, and a possible
confirmation of "empty pew syndrome" which many say has
plaguing America's churches for years.
Barna found that "median adult attendance at church services in
1999 was 90 people," slightly below last year's average of 95. It is
also 10% under the 1997 average of 100 people, and 12% lower
than the 1992 level of 102 people.
The survey's main focus was on attendance versus income, and
Barna found that the average operating budget of the typical church
increased 5% over the past year to $110,000 per church. The crucial
finding, though, is suggested in the "Data in Context" section of the
Barna report. It states, "Since 1992 Protestant churches have lost
10% in average weekly attendance. During the same period,
America's population has increased by almost 9%... The bottom line
... is that we are attracting fewer people than we used to..."
With such a trend, one conclusion may be that the 40% figure
claimed for church attendance -- a number which has remained
relatively constant over the years -- is possibly an artifact of the
interviewing process, or some other factor, than a true reflection of
how many Americans are heading for their neighborhood house of
worship.
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