1. © 2003 By Default! A Free sample background from www.powerpointbackgrounds.com Slide 1 Are We a Christian Nation? Many believe that God gives special protection or favor to the USA. April 10 - AM

2. © 2003 By Default! A Free sample background from www.powerpointbackgrounds.com Slide 2 Does God favor the USA? Many believe that God favors the USA because we support Israel Many believe that God favors the USA because we support Israel Religion and government are common topics of conversation Religion and government are common topics of conversation Are we a “Christian” nation? Are we a “Christian” nation? The answer is more complicated The answer is more complicated The answer depends on the usage of the word - CHRISTIAN The answer depends on the usage of the word - CHRISTIAN

3. © 2003 By Default! A Free sample background from www.powerpointbackgrounds.com Slide 3 IT DEPENDS: A CHRISTIAN IS - One who demonstrates Christ- like qualities One who demonstrates Christ- like qualities “She was a Christian lady.” “She was a Christian lady.” We mean – kind, compassionate, helpful, loving, forgiving We mean – kind, compassionate, helpful, loving, forgiving We help – disasters, 9/11, tsunami, earthquake, tornado We help – disasters, 9/11, tsunami, earthquake, tornado

4. © 2003 By Default! A Free sample background from www.powerpointbackgrounds.com Slide 4 IT DEPENDS: A CHRISTIAN IS - One who demonstrates Christ- like qualities One who demonstrates Christ- like qualities We rebuild after a war – Germany, Japan We rebuild after a war – Germany, Japan We are the most giving, caring, compassionate people on earth We are the most giving, caring, compassionate people on earth The answer is YES The answer is YES

5. © 2003 By Default! A Free sample background from www.powerpointbackgrounds.com Slide 5 IT DEPENDS: A CHRISTIAN IS - Different from other world religions Different from other world religions Many use the word “Christian” as opposed to a Buddhist, Muslim, Jew or other world religion Many use the word “Christian” as opposed to a Buddhist, Muslim, Jew or other world religion Christianity is different from all other world religions Christianity is different from all other world religions As world religions go – We are a Christian nation As world religions go – We are a Christian nation

6. © 2003 By Default! A Free sample background from www.powerpointbackgrounds.com Slide 6 IT DEPENDS: A CHRISTIAN IS - One who believes in Jesus One who believes in Jesus According to several polls and surveys According to several polls and surveys 95% of adults in USA believe in Jesus 95% of adults in USA believe in Jesus 98% believe in God (Supreme Being, Creator) 98% believe in God (Supreme Being, Creator) YES, we are a nation of people who believe in Jesus YES, we are a nation of people who believe in Jesus

7. © 2003 By Default! A Free sample background from www.powerpointbackgrounds.com Slide 7 IT DEPENDS: A CHRISTIAN IS - One who belongs to any “Christian” church (denomination) One who belongs to any “Christian” church (denomination) The general view is that all the many denominations are parts of the Christian church The general view is that all the many denominations are parts of the Christian church America is more “Christian” than not America is more “Christian” than not

8. © 2003 By Default! A Free sample background from www.powerpointbackgrounds.com Slide 8 IT DEPENDS: A CHRISTIAN IS - One who practices, participates, is involved One who practices, participates, is involved On any weekend less than 40% attend any church, chapel, mosque, or synagogue On any weekend less than 40% attend any church, chapel, mosque, or synagogue Only 7% of all who claim to be Christians – give regularly to a church Only 7% of all who claim to be Christians – give regularly to a church

9. © 2003 By Default! A Free sample background from www.powerpointbackgrounds.com Slide 9 IT DEPENDS: A CHRISTIAN IS - One who practices, participates, is involved One who practices, participates, is involved Almost 2/3 of Americans are “unchurched” Almost 2/3 of Americans are “unchurched” Not affiliated with any church Not affiliated with any church Many who attend – do nothing else – not involved Many who attend – do nothing else – not involved NO – we are not participating NO – we are not participating

10. © 2003 By Default! A Free sample background from www.powerpointbackgrounds.com Slide 10 IT DEPENDS: A CHRISTIAN IS - One who lives by a high moral standard One who lives by a high moral standard Abortion – 50% support Abortion – 50% support Same-sex marriage – 25% support Same-sex marriage – 25% support Christians are more likely to buy lottery tickets than atheists Christians are more likely to buy lottery tickets than atheists NO we are not a moral nation NO we are not a moral nation

11. © 2003 By Default! A Free sample background from www.powerpointbackgrounds.com Slide 11 IT DEPENDS: A CHRISTIAN IS - Defined in the New Testament Defined in the New Testament The Bible uses the word – Christian – in a very limited sense The Bible uses the word – Christian – in a very limited sense A Christian is one who believes and obeys the commands of Jesus A Christian is one who believes and obeys the commands of Jesus

12. © 2003 By Default! A Free sample background from www.powerpointbackgrounds.com Slide 12 IT DEPENDS: A CHRISTIAN IS - Defined in the New Testament Defined in the New Testament USA population is about 230 million USA population is about 230 million Churches of Christ in America are about 2 million members Churches of Christ in America are about 2 million members This means we are less than 1/10 th of 1% This means we are less than 1/10 th of 1% NO – We have a long way to go NO – We have a long way to go

13. © 2003 By Default! A Free sample background from www.powerpointbackgrounds.com Slide 13 A CHRISTIAN IS - Defined in the New Testament Defined in the New Testament A Christian is one who believes and obeys the commands of Jesus A Christian is one who believes and obeys the commands of Jesus Are you a Christian? Are you a Christian? Do you believe in Jesus? Do you believe in Jesus? Have you obeyed His commands? Have you obeyed His commands? Are you following His teachings? Are you following His teachings?