By DAVID YOUNT, Scripps Howard News Service
Are bad times good for religion?
The great Christian revivals of the 19th century, known as the second and third "Great Awakenings," were prompted by nationwide economic panics. In the wake of the current recession, churchgoing in America has increased yet again, suggesting that bad times are good for religion.
The secret of one school's success
When married couples with young children move to another town or city, they typically look for neighborhoods with good public schools nearby. Barack and Michelle Obama are an exception because the electorate assigned them their new home at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington.
New survey reveals changes in church congregations
As we enter the New Year it's worth noting how the nation's churches are incorporating changes to make them more relevant to their members. A Duke University survey back in 1998 established benchmarks for congregational life spanning all denominations. A new survey reveals some surprising changes.
Yount: the heavy hand of government
At a minimum, the function of any government is to provide physical security for its citizens. During the current economic crisis, the government has taken on the task of protecting much more -- banks, businesses, homes and jobs, among other things.
Yount: Seeking peace
Our mail this time of year is filled with Christmas greetings expressing the wish for world peace. Alas, peace is not the kind of gift that fits in Santa's sleigh. After all these centuries of human conflict, peace appears as elusive as ever.
Lessons from the Great Depression
After surviving the Great Depression, my wife's mother made an unusual investment decision. Trusting neither banks nor the government to protect her modest savings from an economic crisis, she chose to purchase South African gold coins instead, hiding them beneath the floorboards of her home.
Yount: The new lonely crowd
With the world economy tumbling, it's only natural for Americans to worry whether we can erect a safety net that will protect our homes, investments, and jobs, while ensuring our ability to afford health care and save for later years.
Just in time for Christmas, disbelievers in God buy ads
In an America notable for its faith, there is still plenty of disbelief to go around. The novelist Michael Crichton, who died recently, went to his grave disbelieving in global warming.
