This day in WND History: Aug. 19

1 in 6 base morality on Bible

Aug. 19, 2005: Just one in six American adults say they make moral decisions based on the Bible, according to a study by the evangelical Christian Barna Group.

When asked whether they believe moral truth is based on absolute standards or is relative to the circumstances, Americans are divided into roughly equal segments, the California-based group said.

About 35 percent contend that moral truth is absolute, or not dependent upon the circumstances. Thirty-two percent say that morality always is determined by the situation. The remaining one-third, 33 percent, indicate they don't know if moral truth is absolute or relative.

About 70 percent of evangelical Christians report believing that moral truth is absolute. Only 42 percent of non-evangelicals hold that view.

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The research group's founder, George Barna, said "most born again Christians hold a confusing and inherently contradictory set of religious beliefs that go unchecked by the leaders and teachers of their faith community."

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