FAITH PLAYS KEY ROLE IN AFRICAN AMERICAN LIVES

Americans are turning to the church for solace, answers and meaning in their lives.

Faith enables African Americans to maintain a positive outlook on life despite economic and societal obstacles.

A recent survey of 1,100 Black adults, 400 Black teenagers and 400 pastors of Black Christian churches across the country found that faith is significant in the lives of African Americans.

94% of responses show that the top goal of Black Americans is to have a close personal relationship with God.

92% percent of Blacks believe that in times of crisis they are "absolutely certain" they can count on God to answer their prayers.

The depth of faith for African Americans is a much higher proportion than is found among either Whites or Hispanics, the study revealed. Black adults are also substantially more likely than any other ethnic group to believe that the bible is totally accurate in all that it teaches.

African American adults maintain that the only reason to live is to know, love and serve God, and Black adults rely on faith as a source of emotional strength.

Two-thirds of all African American adults listed pastors as the people in their community they respect most, ahead of business and political leaders.

Source: Barna Research - Ventura California (http:// barna.org)