Stats from a New Religion Survey; Some Christian Humor

by Daisy Maryles, Religion BookLine -- Publishers Weekly, 10/8/2008

The latest survey from Baylor University's Institute for Studies of Religion, released last month, revealed some surprising data about religious and mystical experiences, according to Rodney Stark, professor of social sciences and co-director of the institute. Stark said he was surprised at the number of people who say they have heard God's voice (20%), felt protected by a guardian angel (55%) or witnessed a miraculous physical healing (23%). Back in 2005 (these surveys are conducted every other year), 67% of those surveyed said they were 'absolutely sure" heaven exists, and 17% thought it "probably" does. This year's survey showed demographic breakdowns on the question: more African Americans than whites were "absolutely sure" about heaven (86% to 60%); Southerners said yes to the question more than Easterners (76% to 50%), and Republicans more than Democrats (77% to 54%). These and more findings are in Stark's book from Baylor, What Americans Really Believe.

A touch of humor is always welcome, especially in these trying times. Doug Trouten, executive director of the Evangelical Press Association, is famous for the "Top 10" lists he presents each year at the EPA convention. On David C. Cook's Web site, he takes a crack at what's funny in Christian book publishing. Here are some: "Authors say God revealed to them in a dream that their manuscripts are perfect just the way they are.... As an art form, our industry peaked in the Middle Ages with illuminated manuscripts.... No matter how good your book is, you'll never outsell the Bible.... Gutenberg never made any money from his famous Bible—a proud Christian publishing tradition that continues to this day."

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