Americans Are Living in Fear!

All IgniteAmerica Certified Statistics are supported by three or more major research studies. This makes them ironclad, but difficult to produce. However, the proof that most Americans are living in fear is so overwhelming that, for the first time ever, this report combines three Certified Statistics in one for absolute confirmation.

Editor’s Note

All IgniteAmerica Certified Statistics are supported by three or more major research studies. This makes them ironclad, but difficult to produce.  However, the proof that most Americans are living in fear is so overwhelming that, for the first time ever, this report combines three Certified Statistics in one for absolute confirmation.

 

Stat #1: 71% of all Americans Fear Corruption in Government Leaders.

Stat #2: 63% of all Americans fear really bad things will happen to them or to people they love.

Stat #3: 58% of all Americans Fear Financial Collapse.

 

Certified Statistic #1 is based on the following research:

65%    Pew Research Center, November 2020

66%    Public Religion Research Institute

Gallup

YouGov

77%    Survey of American Fears, Chapman University, 2019 up from 74 in 2018

Upshot and Siena College

The Upshot and Siena College

Times/Siena Survey

 

Certified Statistic #2 is based on the following research:

66%    Survey of American Fears, Chapman University, 2019

55%    YouGov, 2020

70%    American Enterprise Institute, 2020

60%    Morning Consult, 2020

 

Certified Statistic #3 is based on the following research:

60%    Survey of American Fears, Chapman University, 2019 (up from 55 in 2018)

59%    Marketplace-Edison, October 2020

54%    National Endowment for Financial Education, 2020

 

Cultural Context:

Anxiety has become America’s No. 1 health disorder because almost two-thirds of all Americans are living in fear. Overwhelmed by the sense of dread, most Americans feel like they’re being pushed off a cliff . . . losing faith in everything, including God.

This should not come as a surprise! In the entire Universe, the only immovable force is God Himself, the rock of our Salvation. Unless your hope is fixed on Him, there’s nothing solid to hold on to and fear can easily consume your life.

We’re living in a lost and depraved world because Satan blinds the minds of unbelievers (II Corinthians 4:4). More than 80% of all Americans are blinded to the truth of God’s Word and have lost their sense of direction. While some are evil, most Americans are simply lost and reacting to the fear that’s gripping them. That’s opportunity knocking!

This is an unprecedented moment in human history when almost everyone is wanting to escape their fears and are looking for help. As it happens, fear is a wonderful motivator for seeking God. That’s why the Church in China and the Middle East is exploding with growth. The darker it gets, the easier it is to lead people to Jesus. It’s entirely possible that God is allowing this chaos to reap a harvest before He returns.

The vaccine for fear is God’s Love! I John 4:18 tells us, “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear.” It’s time for you to stock up on God’s love and distribute it to everyone you find who is living in fear. Jesus said, “They’ll know you’re my disciple by your love.” From here to Eternity, that’s your number one task.

How many unchurched people do you know? This Certified Statistic confirms that most Americans are living in fear . . . primed and ready to receive God’s love and protection. You’ll never have a better opportunity than right now to lead them to Jesus!


Scriptural Context:

Scriptures to Share With Those Living in Fear

God is Far Bigger Than Our Earthly Problems
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

God’s Call to Those Living in Fear
Come to me all who are weary and carry heavy burden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you with my Righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares for you.
I Peter 5:7

I prayed to the Lord and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
Psalms 34:4

The ‘Peace of God’
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27

Anxiety is Overrated
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
II Timothy 1:7

We Are People of Faith!
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.
Hebrews 11:1

For we live by faith and not by sight.
II Corinthians 5:7

Without faith, it’s impossible to please God.
Hebrews 11:6

In God Do We Trust
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my savior, my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence.
II Samuel 22:2-3

We Are Christ’s Ambassadors
But for this purpose, I have raised you up, to show my power, so that My Name may be proclaimed in all the earth.
Exodus 9:16

Are regular church attenders still attending?

Regular church attendance has dropped from 70% of our population in 1960 to just 20%. And now, 28% of those who were regular church attenders (Pre-COVID), have not attended in person or watched an online worship service even one time since the outbreak.

Regular church attendance has dropped from 70% of our population in 1960 to just 20%. And now, 28% of those who were regular church attenders (Pre-COVID), have not attended in person or watched an online worship service even one time since the outbreak.

 

This IgniteAmerica Certified Statistic is based on the following research:

Percentage of regular church attenders who say that haven’t attended or watched an online worship service:

20%    Pew Research Center, July 2020

32%    Barna Research, April/May 2020

32%    PRRI, April 2020 (attend a few times a year)

 

Cultural Context:

Perspective: Of the 20% of our population that attend church regularly, only half have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. This can be traced to less than half of our pulpits still having altar calls. For those who have not prayed the ‘Sinners Prayer,’ church attendance often becomes a social function with a non-convicting message from their pastor that makes them feel good.

Add to that, most people are creatures of habit. Statistics tell us that more than a third of the people in a typical congregation attend their church out of habit. Other than Sunday mornings, they’re not engaged in the life of their church or deeper study, and they will probably never return.

We’re losing social church attenders: Closed churches have transitioned social church attenders into seeking other venues to keep their friends or go back to their old friends. This ends their need and desire for the church. For those who attend church for social, rather than spiritual purposes, new habits are being formed and congregations are being diminished without their pastor’s knowledge. Even the loss of income is not apparent because these are nominal givers.

Watching a morning worship service online is not a church experience! Online viewing is often undisciplined, opening the door to multitasking, distractions, and complete interruptions. Unless you understand that God is holding you accountable, there is no accountability. And lack of accountability leads to lack of guilt and, ultimately, separation from the church becoming the unchurched. This is why God made it clear: “Do not forsake the assembly of the saints.”

Healthy spiritual growth depends on worship and fellowship. There is no substitute for worship and fellowship! Every Christian returning to their church, after quarantining, knows this to be true! Even those who have been diligently watching online worship services know it. Like persecuted Christians from third-world countries, experiencing anew the exhilaration of Christian fellowship and corporate worship is unexplainable/supernatural! Losing it is devastating!

This is what the church experience is all about – and what we allowed Godless politicians to take away from us. When Christ comes into our lives, we are born into the family of God, a community of believers united together, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to carry out God’s mission to the world.

Yes, the Church is the Body of Christ . . . the instrument God uses to carry out His message of Salvation. It’s not possible to be involved in the mission of the Church if one is not in the Church and part of the Body. It’s primarily through the Church that God organizes His people to meet the needs of others.

When “Christians” deliberately miss church, they’re disobeying God. For it’s through the Church that lives are transformed and inspired to spread the Good News. And when Government leaders close the doors of our churches to those seeking God, they’re disobeying God as well. One can only imagine how the Apostle Paul would have reacted! Could God be using this chaos to bring masses of people to the doors of our now-closed churches?


Quotes:

“To gather with God’s People in united adoration of the Father, is as necessary to the Christian’s Life as Prayer.”
Martin Luther

”Church attendance is as vital to a disciple, as a transfusion of rich, healthy blood to a sick man.”
D.L. Moody


Scriptures:

God Mandates We Meet Together
Forsake not the assembly of yourselves together.
Hebrews 10:25

Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24

God Knows We Need Each Other
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Colossians 1:24

Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s Body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
Romans 12:4-5

The Church is The Body of Christ
And He put all things under His feet and gave Him head over all things to the Church, which is His Body.
Ephesians 1:22

The Fellowship of Believers
But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the Blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.
I John 1:7

How angry are Americans?

Our Pledge of Allegiance declares us to be ‘One Nation, Under God,’ but our actions declare that we’re not. In fact, it’s impossible to be a God-honoring/God-united nation, with most Americans being in a perpetual state of anger – half say they are angrier than ever.

70% of all Americans are angry every day . . . and 31% report they’re “really angry” every day. Half of our population is angrier than they’ve ever been!

 

This IgniteAmerica Certified Statistic is based on the following research:

% of Americans who say they are angrier this year than ever in the past:

42%    Anger, IBM Watson Health Poll, 2018

52%    Elle.com & Survey Monkey

49%    Anger Rage, Esquire/NBC News Survey, Survey Monkey, 2016

48%    Average

% of Americans who say they get angry at least once a day:

77%    Anger, IBM Watson Health Poll, 2018

68%    American Rage, Esquire & Survey Monkey

79%    Pew Research Center, 2017

68%    CNN/SSRS Poll, 2017

67%    Fox News Poll

80%    NBC/WSJ Social Trends Poll, 2019

71%    Average

% of Americans who say they get really angry every day (seething, boiling):

29%    Anger, IBM Watson Health Poll, 2018

31%    American Rage, Esquire & Survey Monkey

24%    Pew Research Center, 2017

31%    CNN/SSRS Poll, 2017

25%    Fox News Poll

43%    NBC/WSJ Social Trends Poll, 2019

31%    Average

 

Cultural Context:

Our Pledge of Allegiance declares us to be ‘One Nation, Under God,’ but our actions declare that we’re not. In fact, it’s impossible to be a God-honoring/God-united nation with most Americans being in a perpetual state of anger.

Americans are twice as angry as they were 20 years ago. Almost a third of all Americans describe their anger as being seething, furious, and boiling mad. Almost 30% of us have at least one friend or relative who is unable to control their temper and an incredible 33 million Americans have been clinically diagnosed with explosive, uncontrollable anger, with fits of rage, often breaking things and hurting people.

The loss of trust in God has led America into a spirit of fear — that’s a prime motivator for anger. Anxiety and worry are gripping America, and without having God to run to, loss of confidence, disappointments, and discouragements are making America angry. Here’s the solution: Perfect love (for God) casts out all fear. (I John 4:18).

Come unto me, all who are burdened and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:2

What angers God should anger us. But anger that diminishes others, holds grudges, and seeks revenge is sin! It fills the accuser with pride and poisons everything they think and say and do going forward. It’s the opposite of knowing God has everything under control. This where America is today!


Quotes:

“Anger is usually the misunderstanding of reality.”
Unknown

“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”
Abraham Lincoln

“Speak when you are angry, and you’ll make the best speech you’ll ever regret.”
Ambrose Bierce

“Whatever begins in anger ends in shame.”
Benjamin Franklin

“Don’t hold to anger, hurt, or pain. They steal your energy and keep you from love.”
Leo Buscaglia

“Suffering is part of the human condition and it comes to us all. The key is how we react to it, either turning away from God in anger and bitterness or growing closer to Him in trust and confidence.”
Billy Graham


Scriptures:

I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you, in God, whose Word I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Psalm 56:3-4

Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers all the wrongs.
Proverbs 10:12

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
I Corinthians 13:4-5

Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
Ephesians 4:26-27

For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
Matthew 12:37

If you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.
Matthew 5:22

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Ephesians 4:29

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
Proverbs 16:24

The Joy of the Lord is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10

He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8

You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day . . . He will protect you and shield you from all fear . . . I shall not be afraid.
Psalm 91:5-7

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

What percentage of American adults favor same-sex marriage?

While same-sex marriages are a lightning rod for discourse between those who follow and those who refuse to follow the word of God, it’s merely one of many sexual sins that God abhors, and the world accepts. Read what the scriptures say about God’s standards related to sex.

Two-thirds (62%) of American adults favor same-sex marriage.

 

This IgniteAmerica Certified Statistic is based on the following research:

Percentage of American adults who favor same-sex marriage:

67%    Gallup Poll, 2018

59%    General Social Survey, 2016

62%    Pew Research Center, 2017

 

Cultural Context:

The first thing to remember is that God loves all of us the same. None of us are perfect! All of us have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God (Romans 3:23) The wages of sin is death, but the Gift of God is Eternal Life thru Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23) We’re saved, Not of works lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:9)

While same-sex marriages are a lightning rod for discourse between those who follow and those who refuse to follow the Word of God, it’s merely one of many things that God abhors, and the world accepts. Sexual activities between men and women, outside of marriage, fall into that category and are even more prolific. In fact, Matthew 5:28 tells us, That whosoever looketh on a woman, to lust after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

When a woman who committed adultery was about to be stoned, Jesus said, “Let him who has no sin cast the first stone” (John 8:7) and they walked away. And Matthew 7:2 tells us, Judge not, lest thou be judged. God loves all of us the same and He wants all of us to spend Eternity with Him in Heaven. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10) that none should be lost.

Having said that, sin remains sin and God cannot tolerate unforgiven sin. God never changes nor does His Word. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) And His Word says If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. (Leviticus 20:13)


Scriptures:

That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned in lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.
Romans 1:26-27

There is a way that seemeth right unto man, but the end thereof is death.
Proverbs 14:12

The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.
Galatians 5:16-17

Have nothing to do with sex sins! Any other sin that a man does, does not hurt his own body. But the man who does a sex sin sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a house of God where the Holy Spirit lives? God gave you His Holy Spirit. Now you belong to God. You do not belong to yourselves. God bought you with a great price. So honor God with your body. You belong to Him.
1 Corinthians 6:18-20

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Ephesians 6:11

I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s Love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow, not even the powers of Hell can separate us from the Love of God.
Romans 8:38

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
John 3:17

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9

How many people leave the Church every year?

Church attendance in America has been on the decline since the 1980s, for a wide variety of reasons, ranging from hurt and disappointments to time pressures, loss of interest, alternative distractions, and lack of conviction regarding church attendance. The impact is far-reaching.

At least 2.3 million people leave the Church every year.

 

This IgniteAmerica Certified Statistic is based on the following research:

Number of people that leave the church every year:

2.5MM    Gallup Polls, 2017

2.5MM    Exodus: Why Americans are Leaving Religion, PRRI, 2016

1.7MM    General Social Survey, 2016

2.5MM    U.S Religious Landscape, Pew Research Center, 2014

 

Cultural Context:

Church attendance in America has been on the decline since the 1980s, for a wide variety of reasons, ranging from hurt and disappointments, to time pressures, loss of interest, alternative distractions, and lack of conviction regarding church attendance. As a result, more than 4,000 churches close their doors every year.

With the predominance of our culture being anti-Christian, and Sunday church attendance being viewed as archaic, regular church attendance is now outside the norm of social practice. In fact, 50% of our population considers themselves to be Christian while, rarely, if ever, attending church . . . redefining what the world sees as being a Christian.

And the ongoing prognosis is not encouraging. Of the 20% of our population who still go to church on a regular basis, less than half are saved. With the end of service, altar calls going out of vogue, worship becoming entertainment, and most messages focused on making people feel good, rather than feeling convicted, little is being done to change church decline by changing lives.

There is an antidote! Church attenders need to be reminded that when they live under the admonition of the Great Commission, their faith will be ignited. Isaiah 43:10 tells us, I’ve appointed you as my witnesses so that you might believe. When you live for His purpose, to seek and save the lost, everything in your life has a purpose, including your prayer life and Bible study. Completely reversing the trend, your church attendance goes up and you’ll bring people with you. That’s why Ephesians 4:11 tells us, the role of the pastor is to equip the saints for ministry.


Scriptures:

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His Return is drawing near.
Hebrews 10:25

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
Romans 12:4

Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Ephesians 5:19-21

The man who worships on a special day does it to honor the Lord . . . In this way, he honors the Lord. He gives thanks to God also.No one lives for himself alone.
Romans 14:6-7

(The Great Commission) Go into all the world and preach the Gospel.
Mark 16:15

As the Father has sent me, so send I you.
John 20:21

And you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Acts 1:8

All things work together for good when you love God and live for His Purpose (to seek and save the lost).
Romans 8:28