Southern Baptists Boast Highest Rate of "Passion" Viewership

Joseph_Botwinick · Jun 6, 2004

VENTURA, CA – A study released April 14th by the Barna Research Group puts the Southern Baptists at the top of the denominational heap in terms of the percentage of regular attenders who have seen Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" – the controversial and hugely successful film about the final 12 hours of the life of Christ.

An impressive 92% of Southern Baptists over the age of 12 polled in a Barna phone survey said they have seen "The Passion" at least once. Catholics came in a distant second with 65%. Presbyterians were third with 54%. The study has a margin of error of ± 3%...

The response of Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee Chairman Gary A. Smith was one of surprise. But his surprise was that the number was not higher than 92%.

"I don't know where Barna found this other eight percent," an obviously agitated Smith told THO in a phone interview. "We have sent out mass mailings; we've required our churches to hang up the movie posters in their lobbies; we've bussed the cripples; and we've strongly encouraged all of our pastors to promote the film from the pulpit. You show me a Southern Baptist who has not seen this movie, and I will put him in my car right now and drive him to the theater. What more can we do?!"

Although he is writing a letter of protest to George Barna demanding an investigation of the study, Smith said that he plans to promote the distinction on the cover of the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Report.

"It's definitely a good thing that we're number one. I mean, Ecclesiastes 9:10 and everything," Smith said. "But we still have to do everything in our power to get this number up to 100%, and ideally 103% so we can cover the margin of error."
Click to expand...

"Leave it to the Southern Baptists to be mad about being ranked number one in something."

PastorGreg · Jun 6, 2004

Is this for real? Maybe they should do a survey and see what percentage of them read their Bibles today. I would guess it would be significantly less. Would he be as bent out of shape about that? Are you sure this isn't something else from one of those satire sites?

dp · Jun 6, 2004

from one SBC'er... I'd say it is...

Bro Tony · Jun 7, 2004

Check the source, another Holy Observer satirical article. Shame on you again Joseph. :D

USN2Pulpit · Jun 7, 2004

Trying to stir things up?

delly · Jun 7, 2004

Well, I'm a Southern Baptist and I'm proud to saw I have seen the movie 3 times and was moved beyond words each time. It is a very profound experience. I doubt if anyone has polled us to find out how many have seen the movie. Anyway, noboby asked me. lol

Bro Tony · Jun 7, 2004

delly,

This whole thread is a joke. The Holy Observer is a satiracle paper. Joseph is becoming famous in pulling people's in.

Bro Tony

delly · Jun 7, 2004

Bro Tony, I wasn't pulled in. This ole gal ain't that gullible. Just noting (sarcastically) that I always get left out of every poll that has or hasn't been done. lol
Folks just love to pick on us Southern Baptist.

Bro Tony · Jun 7, 2004

Ain't it the truth sister.

dianetavegia · Jun 7, 2004

I'm locking this thread. The source is a false newspaper with fake stories and quotes from the book of Hezekiah (no such book in the Bible guys)

Diane

Southern Baptists Boast Highest Rate of "Passion" Viewership

Joseph_Botwinick <img src=/532.jpg>Banned

PastorGreg Member
Site Supporter

dp Member
Site Supporter

Bro Tony New Member

USN2Pulpit New Member

delly New Member

Bro Tony New Member

delly New Member

Bro Tony New Member

dianetavegia Guest

Southern Baptists Boast Highest Rate of "Passion" Viewership

Joseph_Botwinick <img src=/532.jpg>Banned

PastorGreg Member Site Supporter

dp Member Site Supporter

Bro Tony New Member

USN2Pulpit New Member

delly New Member

Bro Tony New Member

delly New Member

Bro Tony New Member

dianetavegia Guest

PastorGreg Member
Site Supporter

dp Member
Site Supporter