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The team talks about two topics where we’ve found churchgoers often disagree on the biblical direction (and degree) for observance.
Sabbath
A look at how different people view how rest plays a part in their spiritual lives.
- 56% of church goers say taking a Sabbath rest is a biblical command that still applies today
- 7 out of 10 say they take a Sabbath on a Sunday
- Among those who take a Sabbath, ways they say they observe the Sabbath:
- 79% attending a religious service
- 65% spending time with family
- 33% avoiding paid work
- 30% taking a nap
- 3% refraining from media
Alcohol
We presented several different statements in this survey because the topic of alcohol can be difficult and is one that Scripture addresses in different ways.
- 59% say they do not drink alcohol
- 41% say they do drink alcohol. (We asked this question 10 years ago, and then 39% said they do.)
About 4 out of 10 Americans who attend a Protestant church regularly say they drink alcohol. Six out of 10 say they do not.
- 23% say that scripture indicates we should never drink alcohol (smaller than those who say they don’t drink alcohol).
- 55% agree that Scripture indicates all beverages can be consumed without sin.
- 87% agree that Scripture indicates that people should never get drunk.
- 54% agree that Christians are exercising biblical liberty when they partake of alcohol in reasonable amounts.
- 6 out of 10 churchgoers agree that when Christians partake of alcohol socially, they can cause other believers to stumble or be confused.
Be sure to Tweet your questions and comments to us: @LifewayResearch and individually: @smcconn, @statsguycasey, and @lizettebeard. Join us next time for another edition of Keep Asking.
