Although evangelical Christians are only 7% of the nation’s adult population ... (virgin, beliefs)

[Bright-ness' Shadow]

... they are the tail wagging the political dog.


Why is this?

Datum is avaiable from Barna

[No*s]

I don't have a clue .

[retrorich]

Although evangelical Christians are only 7% of the nation’s adult population ...

I think other Christian religions (e.g., Catholicism) joined with the evangelicals on many issues--including same-sex marriages. That issue motivated many Christians who might otherwise not have gone to the polls to do so. The majority of them voted in favor of the marriage bans and, as long as they were there, voted for Bush. That made the differnece in the Ohio vote which caused Bush to be reelected.

[LittleNipper]

What do you consider evangelical?

Seems to me that Southern Baptists, Independent Baptists, Independent Fundamentalists, Luthern (Southern Synod), Presbyterian, Mission Alliance, Calvary Bible----to name just a few, would be part of the Evangelical group. I would imagine that Evangelical is a higher %.
Most independent Churches would claim to be Evangelical as oppose to "main line."

[Bright-ness' Shadow]

Originally Posted by LittleNipper

What do you consider evangelical?

Seems to me that Southern Baptists, Independent Baptists, Independent Fundamentalists, Luthern (Southern Synod), Presbyterian, Mission Alliance, Calvary Bible----to name just a few, would be part of the Evangelical group. I would imagine that Evangelical is a higher %.
Most independent Churches would claim to be Evangelical as oppose to "main line."

Barna is an organization for evangelical pastors that specializes in polls. I would trust their numbers and their definition of what constitutes evangelical.

In research for another thread, I ran across what churches were considered by Barna as evangelical but now I can't find it again. I know, that's little solace for not having the reference but I think it was on Religious Tolertance and they cited Barna as source. I do remember that the percentage cited was less at 5%.

Bob

[Bright-ness' Shadow]

• 7% of the population are evangelicals. (2004)
• There are approximately 14-16 million evangelical adults. (2004)

Source Barna

• 22% Catholic
• 17% Baptist
• 6% Methodist
• 5% Lutheran
• 4% Adventist
• 4% Christian
• 4% non-denominational or independent
• 3% Presbyterian
• 3% Assembly of God
• 3% Episcopal
• 2% Pentecostal/Foursquare
• 1% Protestant
• 1% Church of Christ
• 1% Evangelical (Free or Covenant)
• 1% African Methodist Episcopal
• 1% Church of God
• 1% Reformed
• 15% do not identify themselves as Christians

Source Barna

[anders]

I'm still puzzled regarding what you USAians mean by "Evangelical".

I am a member of the Church of Sweden (CoS), an Evangelical Lutheran Church. Yes, I've downloaded the exit form, but have been to lazy to print and snailmail it.

Anyway, an average CoS person, inculding the archbishop (Yes!), would probably support gay marriages, support female clergy, would not believe in the virgin birth of Jeshua Josephson, or his magical resurrection, and would most certainly never approach a fellow human trying to change his/her beliefs.

[Doc]

The reason many are squeezing their way into power is because Bush does not no the difference between democracy and theocracy. He even has said that the Bible influences his decisions. I love God too, but I dont think the Bible is the safest way to run a democracy.

[DianeVera]

Originally Posted by pah

• 7% of the population are evangelicals. (2004)
• There are approximately 14-16 million evangelical adults. (2004)

Source Barna

• 22% Catholic
• 17% Baptist
• 6% Methodist
• 5% Lutheran
• 4% Adventist
• 4% Christian
• 4% non-denominational or independent
• 3% Presbyterian
• 3% Assembly of God
• 3% Episcopal
• 2% Pentecostal/Foursquare
• 1% Protestant
• 1% Church of Christ
• 1% Evangelical (Free or Covenant)
• 1% African Methodist Episcopal
• 1% Church of God
• 1% Reformed
• 15% do not identify themselves as Christians

Source Barna

The above seems to divide people into mutual exclusive categories. In fact, it seems to me that plenty of Baptists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, etc. would identify as "evangelical" too. I'm pretty sure that the total of "evangelicals" is MUCH larger than the above would seem to indicate.

[Scuba Pete]

We just love to pigeonhole people, don't we!