Confidence in Leaders Down

Member Group : News Releases

***NEWS RELEASE***
For Immediate Release
September 6, 2011

CONTACT:
Deborah Hamilton, Hamilton Strategies, 215.815.7716, 610.584.1096, [email protected]

Since 9/11, America Shows Lessening Fears of Terrorism, But Decreasing Confidence in Country’s Ability to Protect Its Citizens

Culture Expert, Talk Show Host and Author Dr. Alex McFarland Says Dwindling Confidence in Leaders Is a Telling Sign of Direction of Country, Level of Patriotism

Charlotte, N.C. —Nearly a decade after the deadly attacks of 9/11, America has a lessening fear of terrorism in the U.S., but also a waning confidence in the country’s leaders.

Soon after September 11, 2001, America was on high alert and ready for another attack on the country, with fear pervading our everyday activities. But now, a decade later, according to a recent USA Today/Gallup poll, America’s fears have somewhat subsided, especially after al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed at his hiding place in Pakistan on May 1.

Still, more than one-third, or 38 percent, of Americans currently believe terrorist acts are very or somewhat likely to occur in the coming weeks. The same poll found that 36 percent of Americans are feeling very or somewhat worried that they or a family member could become a victim of terrorism. In previous polls, this number had been as high as 59 percent.

Since 9/11, Americans are also showing decreasing confidence in the U.S. government’s ability to protect its citizens from future terrorist attacks. Those saying they have "a great deal of confidence" were highest immediately after 9/11 (41 percent), when Americans were more inclined to have positive views about the nation’s leadership as a matter of patriotism. The numbers fell to between 22 percent and 31 percent in the first few years after 9/11, and then dropped further to 16 percent in 2006 as Americans were becoming increasingly critical of the Iraq war. Today’s 22 percent expressing high confidence is just slightly better than that.

Dr. Alex McFarland, a culture and religion expert, talk show host and author, is a media-savvy, world-renowned Christian apologist who has commented extensively on cultural and religious issues in many media outlets throughout the country.

"This waning confidence in our country’s leadership to protect us from future terrorist attacks is a telling sign that Americans are perhaps now distrustful of government and fed up with the division we have seen in our public servants," said McFarland, who specializes in Christian apologetics, which sets the foundation for Christians to explain why they believe what they believe. "What has dropped off is our patriotism, the feeling of pride we experience in America. And that is due to the fact that there have been few bright spots and more valleys than hills over the past decade. And the fact that more than one-third of Americans still fear terrorism is an indicator that 9/11 has left deep scars, and faith in our world and in fellow mankind is not at ideal levels."

Despite the approaching 10th anniversary of 9/11, Americans’ belief that a terrorist attack could soon occur is on the low end of the range Gallup has seen over the past decade, and their concern about terrorism victimizing their family is about average.

McFarland, who hosts the Sound Rçzn TV show on the National Religious Broadcasters Network and co-hosts the radio program Explore the Word on American Family Radio, is a frequent commentator on Fox & Friends and Fox News’ Spirited Debate. His web site, www.alexmcfarland.com , brings together information on his speaking engagements, radio and TV shows, writing projects and his books.

McFarland’s ability to rationally examine current issues in all areas of life through the lens of a biblical worldview is changing the way that people view the state of Christianity in our country and is creating an intense desire to bring America back to its Christian roots. The political trends of today are coming under close scrutiny and it is Dr. McFarland’s desire to examine these more closely, in light of Christian apologetics.

McFarland formerly served as the President of Southern Evangelical Seminary and is writing several books to be released in 2011 and 2012. 10 Questions Every Christian Must Answer has just been released through Broadman & Holman, and Inside the Mind of a Skeptic, published by Regency Publishing, is set for release this October.

To learn about Alex McFarland as a national author and speaker and radio host, or to find details on his upcoming speaking engagements, visit www.alexmcfarland.com.

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To book Dr. Alex McFarland for an interview or speaking engagement, contact Deborah Hamilton at [email protected], 215-815-7716, 610-584-1096.

Dr. Alex McFarland, religion and culture expert, is a renowned expert in Christian apologetics (one who explains and rationally defends faith). He is the author of many books, including the devotional book series for teens: Stand: Seeking the Way of God, Unleashing the Wisdom of God and Diving Into the Word of God . He has several new books that will be released in 2011-2012, including his newest book that was just released through Broadman & Holman, 10 Questions Every Christian Must Answer.

Dr. McFarland is the host of Sound Rezn, airing across the country on the National Religious Broadcaster’s Network and he also co-hosts Explore the Word with Marvin Sanders on the American Family Radio Network, airing on nearly 200 stations. He served as the president of Southern Evangelical Seminary in North Carolina , has spoken in hundreds of locations throughout the U.S. and abroad, and has been interviewed by all the top Christian and secular media outlets. He spent over two decades training teens and adults in biblical worldview reasoning, much of that time working with Focus on the Family. Through his Stand Weekends for teens, and the annual National Conference on Christian Apologetics, Dr. McFarland works toward his goal of introducing new audiences to the truths of Christianity.