By the Numbers

Some interesting data has come my way.

First, there is a new Pew research survey that puts the number of Muslims in the world at 1.5 billion+. That means that 1 of every 4 people on the planet is a follower of Islam. Previous estimates had numbers that were similar - as in 1.1-1.2 billion - so this is not a complete shock. It does, though, underscore some realities for us. Christianity still has the largest number of adherents, but that numerical superiority is declining. That would speak to the need for us to know more about Islam and to understand it better.

Second, again according to the Pew Research Center, 57% of Americans support civil unions for homosexuals, while only 37% oppose it. Quoting from the report:
A clear majority of Americans (57%) favors allowing gay and lesbian couples to enter into legal agreements with each other that would give them many of the same rights as married couples, a status commonly known as civil unions.
This continues a trend that started in 2004.

Third, another report from Pew Research on what we called the "Generation Gap" when I was a teenager. This investigated the number of Americans age 16 and over who say there is a big difference between young people and their parents on the following issues:
Moral Values - 80%
Work Ethic - 80%
Technology Use - 73%
Music Tastes - 69%.

Do any of these reports generate any comment on your part?