Presbyterian survey profiles membership

Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A survey of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) found most of its members believe Jesus is "the only absolute truth," but many also reject the idea that only followers of Christ will be saved. It also found members are generally middle-aged and overwhelmingly white, while about half said they were Republican.

This is from a survey the Presbyterians' research division conducted among about 3,500 lay people and clergy between October 2002 and January. About 70 percent of congregants and pastors surveyed said that Christ was "the only absolute truth," while just above 40 percent believed that Jesus was the single path to salvation.

The study, released last month, also found that the median age for members and elders is 55; more than 90 percent of respondents identified themselves as white; about 55 percent of members and elders said they were Republicans; women comprise 61 percent of the 2.5 million-member denomination; and most of the clergy are men.