A recent national survey by Public Policy Polling sought to determine the most popular person in America. Only two people included in the survey received a 90% or greater approval rating: #1 Abraham Lincoln (91%) and #2 Jesus (90%). Of course, one could argue the survey data actually ranks them #2 and #3 since the survey respondents gave themselves an even higher favorable rating (93%). A select group received favorability ratings in excess of 80%: George Washington (86%) and Mother Teresa (83%). Other important figures did not fare as well, including Martin Luther King Jr. (74%) or Mohandas Gandhi (64%).
So What?
Jesus has an incredibly high approval rating, but falls short of the rating people assign to themselves. Does this surprise you? What does it say about our culture? Why does this matter?