The Christ in Prophecy Journal

The Tragic Statistics of Our Nation’s Decay

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[Note: The following statistics were compiled by George Collich, Jr., Director of Finance for Lamb & Lion Ministries. He is the ministry’s senior staff member, with over 20 years of service.]

Pornography
12% of all websites on the Internet are pornographic, totaling 24.6 million sites. 40 million Americans are regular visitors to pornographic sites. In the U.S., Internet porn pulls in $2.8 billion per year, which is more than half of the worldwide total of $4.9 billion.1

Drug Abuse
In 2010 an estimated 22.6 million Americans over the age of 12 were current or former illicit drug users. Since 1980, the number of deaths due to drug overdoses has increased over 540%. Since 1990, the number of individuals who take prescription drugs illegally has risen over 500%.2

Cohabitation
There are over 12 million unmarried partners living together in 6 million households. The number of cohabitation unmarried partners increased tenfold between 1960 and 2007.3

Divorce
The divorce rate in America for a first marriage is 41%; for a second, 60%; and for a third, 73%. The divorce rate per thousand population increased from 2.6 in 1950 to 4.95 in 2010. The U.S. rate is the highest of any nation in the world.4

Children Out of Marriage
In 1980 the rate of births to unmarried women was 18.4%. By 2007, 27 years later, the rate had increased to 40%. Current trends indicate that by the year 2015, one of every two American babies will be born to a single mother, and illegitimacy will surpass divorce as the main cause of fatherlessness.5

Gambling
In 2007 Americans spent almost $100 billion legally gambling in casinos and playing lotteries. Billions more were spent on illegal gambling. Households with incomes under $13,000 spent, on average, $654 a year on lottery tickets. Teen and college age gambling increased 600% between 2001 and 2005.6

Incarceration
The number of jail and prison inmates has increased exponentially since 1980 from half a million to 2.5 million. In 2009, the number of persons under correctional supervision (jail, prison, parole and probation) totaled 7.2 million.7

Abortion
A total of 54.5 million babies have been aborted since the Supreme Court legalized abortion in 1973. An estimated 43% of all American women have at least one abortion by the time they are 45 years old. Half of all pregnancies among American women are unintended, and four out of ten of these are terminated by abortion.8

Domestic Violence
One in every four American women will experience violence in her lifetime. An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of domestic violence each year. The majority of domestic violence cases are never reported to the police.9

Child Abuse
Over 3 million reports of child abuse are made every year in the United States, many of which include multiple children. In 2009, 3.3 million abuse reports were made involving 6 million children. More than 5 children die every day due to child abuse. It is estimated that 50 to 60% of child fatalities due to maltreatment are not recorded as such on death certificates.10

School Violence
Between 2003 and 2010, 116 students were killed in 109 separate incidents — an average of 16.5 student homicides each year. In 2007 a nationwide survey of students in grades 9-12 showed that 6% of the students carried a weapon (gun, knife or club) on school property during the month before the survey. And 22% of the students were offered, sold or given an illegal drug on school property during the year before the survey.11

Crime
There are approximately 12 million crimes committed in the United States every single year, the worst record of any nation in the world. There are over 1 million members of criminal gangs inside our nation, and they are responsible for 80% of the crimes committed each year. There are over 100,000 rapes in the U.S. each year, the highest number of any nation. The city of Detroit, Michigan looks like a war zone and violent crime is thriving. So far this year in Detroit, car thefts are up 83%, robberies are up 50%, burglaries are up 20% and property destruction is up 42%.12

Number 1
Americans love to be number 1. Here are some embarrassing areas where we rank number 1 in the world:13

  • Prisoners
  • Pornography
  • Government debt
  • Car thefts
  • Teen pregnancy
  • Reported crimes
  • Obese people
  • Mental disorders
  • Illegal drug use
  • Credit card fraud
  • Credit card debt
  • Divorce rate
  • Plastic surgery

And we have the audacity to call ourselves a “Christian nation”? We have received more blessings than any other nation in history. Yet, we as a nation have turned our back on God. We are now reaping what we have sown. Like the old Roman Empire, we are rotting to death from within. Our only hope is a national revival that will turn people’s hearts back to God. Pray for it.

Notes

1) OnlineSchools, “The Stats on Internet Pornography,” www.onlinemba.com/ blog/stats-on-internet-pornography.

2) Michael’s House, “Drug Addiction Facts and Statistics,” www.michaelshouse.com/drug-addiction/drug-addictionstatistics.

3) Unmarried.org, “Statistics on Marriage,” www.unmarried.org/statistics.html.

4) NationMaster.com, “Divorce rate (most recent) by country,” www.nationmaster.com/graph/peo_div_rat-people-divorce-rate.

5) FirstThings.org, “Out of Wedlock Pregnancy Fact Sheet,” http://firstthings.org/page/research/out-of-wedlock-pregnancy-fact-sheet.

6) James Quinn, “American’s Gambling $100 Billion in Casino’s Like Rats in a Cage,” www.casinowatch.org/commentary/like_rats_in_a_cage.html.

7) Wikipedia, “Incarceration in the United States, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incarceration_in_the_United_States.

8) Steven Ertelt, “54,559,615 Abortions Since Roe vs. Wade Decision in 1973,” www.lifenews.com/2012/01/23/54559615-abortions-sinceroe-vs-wade-decision-in-1973.

9) NCADV Public Policy Office, “Domestic Violence Facts,” www.ncadv.org/files/DomesticViolenceFactSheet(National).pdf.

10) ChildHelp.org, “National Child Abuse Statistics,” www.childhelp.org/pages/statistics.

11) Center for Disease Control, “Understanding School Violence,” www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention.

12) EndOfTheAmericanDream.com, “10 Facts About Crime In The United States That Will Blow Your Mind,” http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives.

13) EndOfTheAmericanDream.com, “USA #1? 40 Embarrassing Things That America Is The Best In The World At,” http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives.

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ABOUT AUTHOR View all posts Author Website

Dr. Nathan E. Jones

As the Internet Evangelist at Lamb & Lion Ministries, Nathan reaches out to the over 4.5 billion people accessible over the Internet with the Good News of Jesus Christ. He also co-hosts the ministry's television program Christ in Prophecy and podcast The Truth Will Set You Free.

15 CommentsLeave a Comment

  • Like I just commented in a previous post- don't forget about something else America is number 1 in- the most christian missionaries of any country in the world. We have not all turned our back on God, although you are right to say that a large proportion of America has.

  • Number 1
    Americans love to be number 1. Here are some embarrassing
    areas where we rank number 1 in the world:13

    Mental illness —– an embarrassment!!!!!!!!!!
    Yea, how selfish they are; all they need is a good swift kick in
    the rear to snap them out of their wickedness.

    Just as if mental illness is something to be ashamed
    about. No body puts it on their wish list from Santa. When is ignorant society going to stop stigmatising
    people with mental illness?

  • First of all, I am not saying that the US is free from guilt–not at all. I do think the US has derailed from its Christian roots. However, as I read the statistics above, I can't help being skeptical. I wish that the statistic quoted reflected apples to apples. For example, maybe take into account the differences in laws and politics of the countries, and the population trends as well. Yes, some statistic has quadrupled since, say, 1970, but what percentage is that when you adjust for population growth? Or, yes, the US is #1 in internet porn, but what percentage of those countries compared actually have the type of internet access the US has? Could it be possible that if all countries had such access, they'd figure in much higher than they were? And if the US is #1 in divorce rates, could it be because the laws enable people to have other options, while there are other countries that brutally deny women's rights and divorce isn't an option? What if it were? Would the US still be #1?

    That's not to say that your point that the US has fallen isn't valid. But I cringe at how you've used the statistics to make that point.

  • It is unfortunate that America will not enjoy the revival that Israel soon will! Though many scholars seek to know the answer why Israel does not repond preemptively against the gathering storm that the Lord God is bringing upon his people Israel! As the West views this coalition assemble on the borders of Israel and inquires of their intent the Lord God will prepare to send a messenger again to his people!

    As the Prophet Malachi declares in Malachi 4:5,6 the Lord will send the Prophet Elijah before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord! As it was yet in the days of Moses when the children of Israel were pinned against the sea, so will it be again! The response of Moses to the children of Israel will again be heard though the enemies are a multitude.

    "And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD which he will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever: The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace"-Exodus 14:13,13. When this judgement is brough against this mighty coalition by the hand of the Lord God, then will he cause Israel to know that he alone provides security for Israel. Then will the Lord pour out his Spirit upon the house of Israel as recorded in Ezekiel 39:29 and the messenger of the covenant will have prepared their hearts to receive it!

    The time of this fulfillment is drawing nearer as the storm clouds continue to gather and Israel feverishly prepares, yet they will acknowledge that no preparation is enough for this mighty coalition that the Lord God is preparing to bring against his people!

  • America has faults. BUT read this news story on FOX News today:

    Add this twist to the scourges of human trafficking and flesh peddling: Pills sold as Viagara-style performance enhancers that contain the powdered tissue of aborted fetuses and dead infants.

    South Korea has seized nearly 17,500 of the bizarre capsules from tourists' luggage and international mail since last August, according to the state-run Korea Customs service said in a statement Monday. The capsules were made in northeastern China in a stomach-turning process in which dead babies' bodies were chopped into small pieces and dried on stoves before being turned into powder, the Korea Customs Service said.

    Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/05/07/south-korea-finds-smuggled-capsules-containing-human-flesh/#ixzz1uCouC9oI

  • Anon said "Mental illness —– an embarrassment!!!!!!!!!!
    Yea, how selfish they are; all they need is a good swift kick in
    the rear to snap them out of their wickedness."

    Anon, I completely agree!!!

    I already vented on this, in addition to OBESITY being on the list. I said that was my last word but now that it is officially on this site I'm fumed again.

    So, this guy and Lamb and Lion has a problem with obese people and people with mental disorders. What a wonderful Christian message.

    To hell with fat people! How to hell with kids with autism!

    From webmd.com Google search synopis: "Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), a group of illnesses that
    involve … Many children with autism (nearly 75%) also have mental retardation."

    Those lousy fat people and autistic kids are ruining this nation!

  • Context, folks, context. Mental disorders and obesity are in the list for things America is #1 at. But, think about it, obesity (whoever defines what that level is???) is a sign of gluttony and mental disorders are frequently diagnosed from broken relationships and guilt. Both are signs that we as a society are attempting vainly to fill our lives with things other than Christ.

    How low can society go? Looks like from your article link, Billy, we now know. Awful!

  • Context for Mental Illness comes down to broken relationships and guilt!!!!!!!
    Oh yea, well that’s ok then. Mental illness is deserved punishment for being a kid from a broken home and being in the pits from being popped in the mouth for daring to open it.

    If I was you I would shut up about L&L Christian views on Mental Illness. Its L&L that’s the #1 embarrassment, not the mentally ill!

  • Anon,

    You and I see clearly the context of the article. Obese people and people with mental disorders are discredited along with the following:

    Prisoners, pornographers, car thieves, drug addicts and people committing fraud.

    The article at worst states, at best implies, that obese people and those with mental disorders are responsible for the breakdown of American society. That was bad enough.

    Now we must add that obese people and those with mental disorders are vainly filling their lives things other than Christ.

    I am hesitant to go as far as to say "shut up", but I'm very close. Who is to say what is obese? Well, at times I have been categorized as obese by MY DOCTOR when my weight was up.

    So, when I weighed 20 more pounds than I do now, I guess I was gluttoneuos, contributing to America's decay, filling my life with something other than Jesus and no better than a thief and pornographer. But now that I've lost weight, all is forgiven. That's the logic in this article.

    Unfortunately for those poor people with severe mental disorders they can't just as easily get back into good graces by losing weight.

    I'm sure the author of that article had PLENTY to choose from from whatever list of #1's in America he was looking for his article ABOUT THE CAUSES OF THE DECLINE OF CHRISTIAN AMERICA. Why he chose to include obese people and those with mental disorders is beyond me.

  • I think nathan and dr reagan have children in their families which suffer in a few categories here…. if im not mistaken (?)
    So my opinion is that they r reporting statistics, not judging. I fit in a few categories here too, but it doesnt offend me. Not that i ex pect anyone to agree with me…. just my opinion.

  • Susie,

    Your opinion is respected as I respect Nathan's. Respect with disagreement.

    Normally it takes a lot to offend me via my category I fall in sometimes…the obese one.

    It's not saying America is too fat. Who can argue with that. It's seeing obese people in the same list with prisoners and pornographers that ticked me off.

    The guy who wrote that article is bald. What if the U.S. led the world in number of bald people. Or what if we were #1 in ugly people or short people or other physical conditions. Would it have been appropriate to add bald people, short people and ugly people to the list? NO as the point of the article was more geared towards people CHOOSING to engage in SINFUL behavior.

    Obese and mentally disturbed people don't choose their condition. (In my case, as with a lot of people, the older you get, your metabolism slows, you slow down from aches and pains and can't be as active, hence weight gain.) Bald, ugly and short people don't choose that either.

    Next time, article author, don't add people with physical and metal problems to your list of undesirables!

  • Billy said – the point of the article was more geared towards people CHOOSING to engage in SINFUL behavior.

    Obese and mentally disturbed people don't choose their condition. (In my case, as with a lot of people, the older you get, your metabolism slows, you slow down from aches and pains and can't be as active, hence weight gain.) Bald, ugly and short people don't choose that either.

    ***Next time, article author, don't add people with physical and metal problems to your list of undesirables!***

    Kim…excellent points!!!

    ——————–

    Right on Billy!!!

  • Canabilism is the unity of gluttony and mental illness.
    ….and one thing God had against his people were sacrifices of infants in the high places,
    Burning them…the human race hasn't come very far it is just using different, new and improved devices.
    …and I think O. Embracing the politically correct marriage concept is just the beginning of the end
    ….and may God have mercy on all our souls.

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