News Brief

US Christian men say money more important than spirituality

-29/4/04

Most Christian men in the USA rank family, money and health as more important than spirituality, according to a new study.

More than half of American Christian men questioned were also only marginally satisfied with their church experience, says a survey commissioned by Promise Keepers.

The survey, conducted by California based Barna Research Group also found that most men did not feel spiritually challenged.

The study surveyed 415 randomly selected men the majority of who were married, dads, white, and over 40. They were taken from six major cities, and said they considered themselves either committed "born again Christians" or "active church members."

When asked specifically about spiritual needs, the survey found many men could not think of any, or identified "superficial goals" says Promisekeepers.

The survey also showed that only four in ten men would turn to Christian friends during a time of crisis.

Promise Keepers, who commissioned the survey, is a Denver-based men's evangelical Christian group. Founded by former University of Colorado football coach Bill McCartney in 1990, the group encourages men to become more active in their religion and families.

The organisation lays out seven promises for men to make which cover such things as relationships, "sexual purity", marriage and family, the church, and praying for "pastors". The promises do not extend to issues such as social justice.

The survey was conducted July 24-Sept. 4. The margin of sampling error was plus or minus 5 percentage points.