TITLE: Are we a Christian Nation?
TEXT: 2 Chronicles
7:14-15
PROPOSITION: Many believe that God gives special
protection to USA.
QUESTION: How?
KEY WORD:
Usages
SCRIPTURE READING: Same
INTRODUCTION:
Religion and the government are common topics of conversation
The answer is more complicated than a simple – Yes or No
The answer depends on your usage of the word “Christian”
Christ-like Qualities
YES
“She was a Christian lady.”
We mean – kind, compassionate, helpful
We help those who hate us – Earthquakes, Tsunami
We rebuild after we win a war – Germany, Japan
We are the most giving, caring, compassionate people on earth
World Religion
YES
Many use the word “Christian” as opposed to Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish
As world religions go – we are Christian
Believe in Jesus
YES
Over 95% of adults in USA claim a belief in Jesus
98% believe in God (Supreme Being, Creator)
Denominational usage
YES
The view is that all denominations are part of the Christian church
America is more - “Christian” than not
Practicing, Participate, Involved
NO
Less than 40% attend any church, chapel or synagogue on any weekend
Almost 2/3 of America are “unchurched”
Moral Values
NO
Abortion – about 50% support
Same-sex marriages – just less than 25% support
Only 8% think music piracy is wrong
Only 7% of all who claim to be Christians, give regularly to a church
Christians are more likely to buy lottery tickets than atheists
NT Usage
NO
As the NT defines how one becomes a Christian -
USA has about 2 million Christians out of 230 million population
This means less than 1/10th of 1% are Christian