VENTURA, CA, USA, May 15, 2002 — Four out of every five single adults in the United States think of themselves as Christian, but there is a wide variance in their level of commitment to that faith.
These findings are among survey results published recently by the Barna Research Group, (www.barna.org), a California-based market research company that studies cultural trends related to values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviours.
In his book titled, Single Adults, author George Barna includes in his definition of single, those persons who have never been married, as well as those who are divorced and widowed. Barna's data indicates the percentage of single adults in the United States has increased over the past two decades, to the point where today, "the United States has more single adults than any other nation in the world except for China and India — (and that) the number of singles in the U.S. exceeds the total national population of all but 11 of the world's 192 nations."
The Shift From Marriage to Singlehood - All Adults, 18+
(In the United States)
|
| Status |
1980 |
1990 |
1999 |
| Married |
66% |
62% |
60% |
| Never Been Married |
20% |
22% |
24% |
| Divorced |
6% |
8% |
10% |
| Widowed |
8% |
8% |
7% |
| Source: Barna Research Group |
From the perspective of sheer numbers, singles are a group worth paying attention to. But, Barna says, it's important to look at this social group for other reasons.
"Whether you examine their lifestyles, demographics or religious beliefs and practices, the growing population of single adults in America is full of surprises. Understanding the character of unmarried Americans is important, not just for the sake of knowledge, but in order to minister effectively both to them and alongside them."
Barna's data reveals a substantial majority of singles say they are "spiritual," and four out of five think of themselves as Christian. But a closer look at their religious practices provides insight as to the depth of their commitment to their faith.
"The only activity measured that a majority engages in during a typical week is prayer. In contrast, just one-third of the unmarried population attends church services during a typical week, and the same proportion reads from the Bible other than at church. Fewer singles volunteer at a church, attend a Sunday school class, or participate in a small group or cell group during an average week."
In addition, the Barna Research Group reports that single adults differ from many American marrieds, in that they are "sceptical of many biblical teachings. Among the ideas they are likely to reject are the existence of the Holy Spirit and Satan. Most single adults contend that both of those supernatural beings are simply literary symbols used in the Bible for effect."
Single Adults provides evidence from their surveys to indicate that fully one-third of all single Americans can be classified as "born again". However, those who fit into that classification were found to be similar in terms of values and lifestyles to those who do not. "For instance, both groups were equally likely to be 'stressed out', searching for meaning and purpose in life, struggling with financial pressures, and struggling with personal relationships."
Source: Bible Network News with files from the Barna Research Group, March 2002
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