Month: March 2007

Where do we go from here?

Miss this Sunday’s service at encounter?
You can watch the man on the street video and listen to a podcast from the service online…
Best quote from the man on the street, “probably countless millions of people.” Boy somebody botched up on that statement.

Subscribe to the podcast
Listen to Brian’s message
Watch the man on the street video:

Does being mean pay?

Wise Bread asks the question after Ann Coulter’s recent comments about John Edwards, “Does being a jerk pay?” Obviously in Coulter’s case the answer may be yes.

I’m not interested in what Ann believes. I’m interested in how she manages to survive by doing little more than upset people.
Of course, the press eats it up for fear of appearing biased and liberal. Fox News let Alan Colmes “talk tough” to Coulter before letting all the other commentators talk about just how great she is. This is how Coulter remains relevant. Even she seems to be aware of just how boring the whole routine has become. As she said to Alan Colmes on Hannity & Colmes:
I mean, this is the same thing we go through every six months. I say something, the same people become hysterical, and that’s the end of it.
And I think she’s right. Even though some more conservative people have jumped up to condemn her comments, this doesn’t hurt her. As Fox News Pat Caddell said:
It was very funny. They were raising money with it. So at least you raised money for them, Ann, but I’m sure it won’t hurt any of your book sales either.

If that’s the case and being a jerk or mean really pays (financially) what’s the advantage to being nice and lovable?
Does the jerk always win?
And to play hardball/devil’s advocate: Because Wise Bread is about being frugal/wise with our monies should we all be jerks to one another so we can be more financially sound?

Does God matter in politics?

The answer to that question probably has a lot to do with your political view and maybe your religious views as well. Barna has released a new study comparing Republican and Democratic views on God, religion and politics.
According to the survey:

  • The Bible is accurate in all of the principles it teaches.
    • 57% of Republicans agree
    • 40% of Democrats agree
  • Satan is a real spiritual entity.
    • 33% of Republicans agree
    • 17% of Democrats agree
  • Describe themselves as absolutely committed to Christianity.
    • 61% of Republicans
    • 48% of Democrats
  • Have spiritual convictions that qualify them as born again Christians.
    • 51% of Republicans
    • 38% of Democrats
  • Good works can earn salvation.
    • 35% of Republicans reject the idea
    • 23% of Democrats reject the idea
  • Attended church in the last seven days.
    • 53% of Republicans
    • 41% of Democrats
  • Qualify as unchurched.
    • 22% of Republicans
    • 34% of Democrats
  • Deem their religious faith to be important in their life.
    • 77% of Republicans
    • 67% of Democrats
  • Believe that God is the all-knowing, perfect creator and ruler of the universe.
    • 75% of Republicans
    • 65% of Democrats
  • Feel compulsion to share their faith with others.
    • 34% of Republicans
    • 24% of Democrats
  • Go to churches of 500+ attenders.
    • 18% of Republicans
    • 10% of Democrats
  • Attend Sunday school classes.
    • 25% of Republicans
    • 17% of Democrats
  • Participate in church-related small groups.
    • 25% of Republicans
    • 18% of Democrats

So you tell me… why does this survey make a difference? Or does it?

Via: Churchrelevance.com