c. 2004 Religion News Service

Poll: Americans Support Creationism but Are Skeptical on Details

(RNS) A Gallup Poll suggests that Americans are divided over how the world was created _ either through evolution or at the hand of God _ but either way they appear skeptical that it happened exactly as described in the book of Genesis.

The poll found that Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution remains controversial among Americans. About one-third say it is supported by evidence, one-third see it as bunk and one-third don’t know enough to judge.

A plurality of Americans _ 45 percent _ say man was created by God in his present form, while 38 percent say man developed over time as God guided the process. Just 13 percent said God had no role in the process.

Yet a smaller percentage, 34 percent, said the Bible is the actual word of God and should be read literally. Pollsters said that discrepancy suggests that Americans believe man was created as-is, but not because the Bible says so.

Breaking down the numbers, Gallup officials said about one-quarter of Americans are “biblical literalists” who believe man was created 10,000 years ago in his present form. They tend to be women, conservatives, Republicans and attend a Protestant church at least once a week.

A slightly smaller number _ one in five Americans _ believe man was created in his present form 10,000 years ago, but not because they read the Bible literally. Just 9 percent of the country read the Bible literally but are open to the theory of evolution.

The largest group _ 46 percent _ do not read the Bible literally and believe humans may have evolved over time. This group tends to be male, urban, more educated, Catholic and seldom or never attend church.

“It is not surprising to find that the biblical literalists who believe that God created humans 10,000 years ago tend to be more religious and Protestant,” said Frank Newport, Gallup’s editor in chief. “Given the recent emphasis on the importance of religion in the Nov. 2 presidential election, it is of interest to note that this `true believer’ group tends to be more Republican than (most Americans).”

The survey of 1,016 adults has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

_ Kevin Eckstrom

Pope Urges Day of Prayer for More American Priests

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Expressing concern over the falling number of candidates for the priesthood in the United States, Pope John Paul II has urged the U.S. church to establish “a national day of prayer for priestly vocations.”

The 84-year-old Roman Catholic pontiff addressed prelates from the ecclesiastical provinces of Dubuque (Iowa), Kansas City (Kan.), Omaha (Neb.) and St. Louis, who were making the periodic visit to the Vatican required of all bishops.

“No one can deny that the decline in priestly vocations represents a stark challenge for the church in the United States, and one that cannot be ignored or put off,” the pope told the bishops at a Vatican audience Friday (Nov. 26).

John Paul urged the bishops to respond to the crisis with “insistent prayer” and a “program of vocational promotion which branches out to every aspect of ecclesial life.”

“Inasmuch as the entire people of God is responsible for promoting vocations and does so chiefly by persistent and humble prayer for vocations, I would propose for your consideration that the Catholic community in your country annually set aside a national day of prayer for priestly vocations,” he said.

The pope made no reference to the sex abuse scandals that rocked the U.S. church in 2002, but he said it was the task of the bishop to foster “mutual trust and confidence, dialogue, a spirit of unity and a common missionary spirit in his relationship with priests.”

The entire U.S. church hierarchy is making visits to the Vatican this year. All diocesan bishops are required to report directly to the pope and Vatican officials and hear their counsel every five years on what are called “ad limina visits,” a Latin reference to the threshold of the apostles’ tombs.

_ Peggy Polk

American Orthodox Jewish Union Supports Israeli Security Fence

JERUSALEM (RNS) During its 106th anniversary conference, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (UOJCA) adopted a series of resolutions on a wide range of controversial issues, including Israel’s security fence.

As the largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization in the world, the Orthodox Union holds great sway in religious circles in the United States. Though best known for its certification of 275,000 kosher food products, the body is also active in educational and political issues.

In resolutions passed Thursday (Nov. 25), the organization expressed its “strong support for Israel’s security fence and other defensive measures” and directed the UOJCA leadership to “continue to mobilize support for … Israel while sharing, sensitively and with due discretion, the full range of our constituents’ views … with … (officials of the) Israeli and American governments.”

Acknowledging that its members disagree on whether Israel should withdraw its settlements and troops from the Gaza Strip _ which is home to 8,000 Jews and more than a million Arabs _ one resolution noted that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s “disengagement plan” has “evoked strongly held feelings” within the organization’s constituency.

The resolution said that the differing perspectives stem from “the profound identification that so many in our community feel with the plight of Jews who face removal from their homes in areas which resonate in Jewish history” versus the long-standing impulse to support the democratically elected government of Israel’s efforts to seek security for its citizens.

On the subject of biotechnology research and Judaism, the UOJCA stated its support, “consistent with Orthodox rabbinic teaching, for the continuation of and public funding for cutting-edge biotechnology research, including embryonic stem cell research.”

At a breakfast meeting with the press, the Orthodox Union’s outgoing president, Harvey Blitz, said the organization is stepping up its efforts to market Israeli products abroad for two reasons.

“Doing so will boost Israel’s economy and provide vital jobs,” Blitz said, adding that the move “is also a response to those who would boycott Israeli products or seek to divest from Israel.”

Blitz said that UOJCA “is working hard” to convince Presbyterians and other Christians considering divestment to rethink their position.

_ Michele Chabin

Churchgoers Eat Their Spinach and Carrots

(RNS) An academic study shows that churchgoers eat more of the healthiest fruits and vegetables than those who don’t attend services.

The study, released this month by St. Louis University School of Public Health researcher Deidre Griffith, found that those who frequently attended church ate 26 percent more “powerhouse” fruits and vegetables than those who didn’t frequently attend.

Griffith defines “powerhouse” vegetables and fruits as those that contain the most nutrients. They include dark, leafy greens, such as spinach, and bright orange carrots and cantaloupe.

Many of the 554 people interviewed for the study said they attended choir rehearsals and Bible study groups and workshops. Griffith said healthier food options were often present at these church events.

“Church can be a big part of your support system for changing your diet,” said Griffith.

_ Wangui Njuguna

Quote of the Day: Pop star Britney Spears

(RNS) “A lot of people think you should wait till you’re older to have kids. I’ve had a career since I was 16, have traveled around the world and back and even kissed Madonna! The only thing I haven’t done so far is experience the closest thing to God and that’s having a baby.”

_ Pop star Britney Spears, 22, in a Thanksgiving letter to her fans that was posted on her Web site and quoted by USA Today.

MO/PH RNS END