Gallup Poll Confirms America’s Departure from Bible-Based Values
by Fred Jackson and Jim Brown
(AgapePress) – This month’s Census 2000 report which confirmed the continued decline of the traditional nuclear family seems to correspond with the results of a new Gallup poll on moral values.
Back in 1969, Gallup found that 66% of Americans believed physical relations before marriage were wrong. By 1970, that opposition had fallen to 47%. Now, according to this latest Gallup Poll, only 38% feel it is wrong for a man and a woman to have sex before marriage. Sixty percent said they have no problems with it.
When Gallup broke the results down according to age, almost 70% of those up to thirty years of age thought premarital relations are acceptable. In fact, it was not until Gallup talked to people in the 50-64 age bracket that a slight majority felt it was unacceptable.
The Gallup survey received similar responses when they asked people about couples living together out of wedlock. Fifty-two percent said it was okay. Less than half, 41%, said they still believe it is wrong.
And with regards to divorce, close to 60% of the respondents said it is morally acceptable. A mere 28% feel it is morally unacceptable.
(This update courtesy of Agape Press.)
by Jody Brown
(AgapePress) – Disney-owned ABC News is releasing its long-time religion correspondent and doing away with her religion beat.
According to Associated Press, ABC News has informed Peggy Wehmeyer that, as a part of the network's cutbacks, her contract will be allowed to expire in October, at which time she will begin “pursuing other opportunities.” Wehmeyer, who has been covering the religion beat for ABC News for almost seven years, says she is disappointed the network is reducing its coverage of religious issues because she believes those issues affect almost every aspect of life.
Wehmeyer says religion is “an incredibly important beat” in society today. She says whether it be in politics, health, education, or any other area of culture and life in the United States, she thinks there is an important religion story to be told.
According to Wehmeyer, her departure will mean none of the three major networks will have a full-time religion reporter — a fact she says saddens her. Nevertheless, she says she is grateful for the opportunity she has had to “do stories that to me really mattered.”
Prior to taking the religion beat for ABC News, Wehmeyer was a reporter for an ABC television station in Dallas and director of Public Information for Dallas Theological Seminary, where she also studied. According to the ABC website, Wehmeyer has received awards for her work from the Southern Baptist Radio and Television Commission and the Religion Public Relations Council.
