Barna Survey: Majority of ‘Unchurched’ Conservative, White, Female Baby Boomers
A recent study by the Barna Group indicated that the majority of the unchurched in America are conservative, white, female Baby Boomers.
The same study indicated that nearly two-thirds of the unchurched, or some 65 million adults, have not gone to service in the last six months.
A recent study by the Barna Group indicated that the majority of the unchurched in America are conservative, white, female Baby Boomers.
An article from the Associated Baptist Press said that the population of unchurched adults who have not gone to service in the last six months, combined with children under 18 who may be living with them would equal some 100 million, or a population equivalent to “the 12th most populous nation on Earth.”
Four of every 10 stopped going to service because of negative past experiences.
A report from Tucson Liberal Christian Examiner at Examiner.com cited five reasons why people stopped going to church, as culled from Lifeway Christian Resources.
The reasons are:
- Christians treating other Christians poorly;
- Christians with “holier than thou” attitudes;
- Believers talking more than they listen;
- Christian refusal to get involved in the lives of the unchurched;
- Christians saying they believe, but do not attend church.
The same article quoted Thom Rainer, president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention who said, “Most of them desire to see a Christian live his or her faith as well as speak about it.”
Other Findings
The Barna Survey had other findings as well, such as:
- Three out of five or 61percent of the unchurched say they are Christian;
- Thirty-nine percent of the unchurched do not embrace Christianity;
- Some 53 percent were either former Protestants or Catholics;
- One-fifth, or 18 percent said they are born again or Evangelical Christians.
- Two-thirds or 68 percent believe God is the all-knowing, all-powerful Creator of the universe and still rules today.
- About 35 percent believe the Bible is completely accurate.
- One in five or 22 percent say the ultimate purpose of life is to love God with all their heart, mind, strength and soul.
- One in seven or 14-15 percent say their religious faith is very important to them, and they have a clear sense of their meaning and purpose in life.
Barna regularly conducts surveys that measure the importance of faith in American life. The findings are submitted to ministries, according to the Associated Baptist Report.