1. Teenagers’ Views on Eternity and Religious Activities of Teens Spring 2007

2. 2 Methodology 2007 survey of 1,016 Teens in Jan-Feb 2007 2005 survey of 1,030 Teens in Jan-Feb 2005 Sample sizes provide 95% confidence that sampling error does not exceed +3.1% Each sample consisted of 12-19 year olds representative of the U.S. population in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, and region These proprietary questions were included in an omnibus mail questionnaire that utilized a cash incentive to ensure response

3. 3 Key Findings Heaven A large majority of teenagers believe heaven exists but fewer than in 2005 Means to go to Heaven A large majority of teens strongly agree with the traditional Christian belief in Jesus Christ’s death for their sins as the reason they will go to heaven

4. 4 Key Findings Means to go to Heaven However, a majority of teens who agree with this reason also believe they will go to heaven because they are kind and religious

5. 5 Key Findings Religious Activities The majority of teenagers have attended a church or religious service in the last 30 days Fewer teenagers are attending Sunday School and small group Bible studies Fewer teenagers are discussing their religious beliefs with friends or inviting people to church Regular prayer and Bible reading are unchanged

6. 6 Teenagers’ Views on Eternity The majority of American teenagers believe heaven exists 69% Strongly Agree However, this represents a 6% drop in the percentage of teens who are sure of their belief in heaven between 2005 and 2007

7. 7 Teenagers’ Views on Eternity African American teenagers are more likely to strongly agree heaven exists (81%) than the average teen (70%) Teenage girls are more likely to strongly agree heaven exists (73%) than guys (66%)

8. 8 Teenagers’ Views on Eternity *Statistically significant difference between 2005 and 2007

9. 9 Teenagers’ Views on Eternity In contrast, only 5% Strongly Agree that they do not believe heaven exists % American Teenagers

10. 10 Teenagers’ Views on Eternity While many teenagers believe they will go to heaven because of their belief in Jesus Christ, one quarter trust in their own kindness to others or their religiosity

11. 11 Teenagers’ Views on Eternity The majority of believers in Jesus Christ are confused or have intentionally combined ideas as to how to get to heaven: 69% of teenagers strongly or somewhat agree that they will go to heaven because Jesus Christ died for their sins

12. 12 Teenagers’ Views on Eternity Among these believers in Jesus: 60% also agree that they will go to heaven because they are religious and 60% also agree that they will go to heaven because they are kind to others

13. 13 Teenagers’ Views on Eternity Conclusion: Approximately 28% of American teenagers are trusting only in Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for their sin to assure them of heaven

14. 14 Teenagers’ Views on Eternity 26% of teenagers don’t know if heaven is in their future (strongly or somewhat agree) Similar uncertainty (24%) exists among teenagers who agree they will go to heaven because Jesus Christ died for their sins

15. 15 Teenagers’ Views on Eternity Indifference and uncertainty about going to heaven persist

16. 16 Religious Activities Among Teens Most teenagers have attended a church or religious service in the last 30 days No significant changes in the last two years within four types of services tested Hispanic teenagers are much more likely to attend a Catholic service (42% v. 20% Total) and less likely to attend Southern Baptist or Other Christian Church services

17. 17 Religious Activities Among Teens

18. 18 Religious Activities Among Teens Involvement in other church activities is much less common than attending church services Fewer teens are attending Sunday School and small group Bible studies compared to 2005

19. 19 Religious Activities Among Teens *Statistically significant difference between 2005 and 2007

20. 20 Religious Activities Among Teens 18-19 year olds are less likely than 12-17 year olds to attend youth group activities (13% v. 26%) and Sunday School (8% v. 24%)

21. 21 Religious Activities Among Teens Fewer teenagers are discussing their beliefs with friends and inviting them to church activities *Statistically significant difference between 2005 and 2007

22. 22 Religious Activities Among Teens Older teens are just as likely to discuss their beliefs with friends, but 18-19 year olds saw a steep decline in these discussions from 36% in 2005 to 25% in 2007 Female teens are also talking less about their beliefs in the last two years – 33% of females spoke up in the spring of 2005 but only 26% did in 2007

23. 23 Religious Activities Among Teens African American teens are more likely to invite people to their church’s activities than the average teen (25% v. 15%) 18 and 19 year olds are less likely to invite people to attend church activities than the 12-17 year old teens (9% v. 18%)

24. 24 Religious Activities Among Teens *Statistically significant difference between 2005 and 2007

25. 25 Religious Activities Among Teens

26. 26 Significant Gender Differences in 2007 Religious Activities Among Teens Teenage girls are much more active religiously than guys