Posted on 12/16/2018 7:56:12 AM PST by Kaslin
A new study from Lifeway Research reveals that “most Americans want more religious meaning to the Christmas season.” Sixty-five percent of those surveyed said, “Christmas should be more about Jesus.”
While that might sound like good news for Christians, the number of Americans who want to “keep Christ in Christmas” - while still a majority - is quickly declining. Just four years ago, 79% of Americans (14% more than this year) agreed that “Christmas should be more about Jesus.”
The new survey also confirms another interesting fact about the cultural shift taking place in America. According to the data, the number of people who think Christmas should be about Jesus is shrinking (down 14%), even though the number of people who think Christmas shouldn’t be about Jesus isn’t growing (only up 1%). The largest shift over the past four years is the number of people who are simply unsure (up 13%).
Other studies provide some insight into the uncertainty many Americans seem to have about Christmas (and religion in general). According to a 2014 Religious Landscape study, an increasing number of Americans are religiously unaffiliated, even though they don’t necessarily reject the existence of God. The study showed a dramatic increase in what has since been termed religious “nones.” These are Americans who “self-identify as atheists or agnostics, as well as those who say their religion is ‘nothing in particular’.”
While “nones” may include atheists and agnostics, don’t be fooled into thinking there is a national increase in unbelief. Most “nones” aren’t unbelievers at all. The 2014 study revealed that American atheism was growing at a very minimal pace (1.5%), even while Christian belief had decreased by nearly 8%. Where are the Americans who used to identify themselves as Christians? They are now in the “none” category, claiming no religious affiliation, even though 88% of Americans still believe in some kind of God, higher power, or spiritual force.
The new Lifeway Christmas survey reflects this reality. Fewer Americans think Christmas ought to be about Jesus (down 14%), but there isn’t a significant increase in those who oppose a connection between Jesus and the holiday (up only 1%). More Americans are rejecting their religious affiliation, but they aren’t necessarily rejecting God. They’re not quite sure what to believe.
Europe is experiencing a similar confusion related to religion and Christmas. Last year, a study in Britain found that nearly 1 in 5 Brits didn’t know that Christmas was associated with the birthday of Jesus. Nearly 1 in 20 thought Easter celebrated the birth of Christ. Even Christians in Europe are increasingly confused about the claims of Christianity. Only 22% of European Christians attend church services regularly. Many don’t believe in God “as described in the Bible.” Europe is only slightly ahead of America in its trajectory away from Christianity, including its growing confusion about Christmas, even though most Europeans also believe in some form of God, a higher power, or a spiritual force.
So, as the number of Americans who think Christmas should be more about Christ continues to shrink, it’s important to recognize that this shift is less about religious belief than it is about religious affiliation. Fewer Americans may connect Jesus to the Christmas holiday, but they aren’t willing to reject this connection – or the existence of God - just yet.
Democrats have been using polls and ‘asking the right questions’ for years. Thank God someone on our side finally made the effort...
“Fewer Americans may connect Jesus to the Christmas holiday, but they aren’t willing to reject this connection – or the existence of God - just yet.”
The Socialists won’t be happy until we’re all god-denying perverts like they are.
They’ve made great strides, but, as with everything ELSE they’ve destroyed in The Modern World, most of us just keep our heads down, do what’s right and do not participate in their silly self-serving polls.
I know *I* do; I suspect most here do, as well.
I blasted a few of them many years ago, and have only been polled once in the last decade or so. Hung up on that one. No one is interested in my views or votes on anything.
ML/NJ
Absolutely agreed.
You really have to look carefully at “studies”.
Who did the study? Were they truly independent or was there an agenda? Was their funding provided by someone or an organization with an agenda?
There are always crucial questions about populations. How large was the sample? Normally one of the first things I jump to. (There are exceptions, ie certain conditions or issues only apply to a minimal number of people). Small sample sizes are a favorite tactic of fraudsters.
How were the subjects chosen? What were the selection criteria? You can readily see how much room there is for manipulation.
What variables were controlled for? The best researchers can’t control for every possible variable that could impinge on their subjects, but they don’t overlook many. A really good, truly controlled study might even control for things like time of day, temperature, things we wouldn’t ordinarily think about, but could have an impact.
Then you can tear apart the methodology. Does it even make sense? Look carefully in the kinds of studies presented here, at the exact wording of each question.
Then see if their conclusions flow rationally from the data.
There is a lot involved in doing good, ethical, honest, competent research. It’s important for Freepers to develop a discerning eye for legitimate research vs the junk that liberals constantly peddle.
Folks...take note, the American people across the board according to Good Housekeeping Magazine are massively watching a literal deluge of Christmas movies, fifty-five at last count mainly produced by Hallmark, ION & Lifetime Cable TV Channels.
One can be assured that the politics of Robert Mueller and the nutcase left-wing Democrats who neither believe in Christmas or Jesus Christ, are not holding sway with viewers this season. Actually the bulk of Americans could care less about Mueller & company.
Ya know, it’s great to see a Church in a movie, it’s great to see the mix of Americans, all races, all ethnics, celebrating the joys of the Christmas season and honoring the coming of Christ, our savior!!! Love of Family, God, Military, Country..it’s refreshing!!!
Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi and all your Democrat low life...take a hike and continue your dancing with SATAN and the Devil, himself!!! Merry Christmas and may God Almighty and his only beloved son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on all of your “Pagan” souls!!!
Christmas...isn’t that the holiday where you buy junk made in China and give it to people who don’t want it?
When Christmas ceases to be about Christ on a large enough scale, I for one will stop celebrating it. It has occurred to me for a long time that we focus on the charitable virtues during this season — and well we should, it being the “spirit” and all — but true devotion to Christ doesn’t end on December 26th. We can’t be Christians only one day of the year.
All of your points were 'on the money' and I enjoyed them all. And yes, you're right - but my comment sadly was the opposite. We also have to borrow some of democrats more manipulative tactics. "Culture Issue" push polls lack purity but serve a purpose. (yes, people agree with US about Christmas is powerful)...
Democrats poll questions that confirm their beliefs... further their cause... or defend their hatreds. It works. EVEN just asking the question will effect the way the issue is seen.
On numbers of people polled - IF you had the right 12 people in a poll you could do accurate national polling with those 12. Of course the odds of getting 'the right 12' works against the possibility.
We throw a birthday party for Jesus... we are also looked down upon, mostly because we have more children than anyone else in the area, but also because we buck the trends and are considered nonconformists as well
Or dragons!!
yup
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