Are laymen more strict in their religious beliefs than their own ministers? Among U.S. Methodists they are, according to a survey conducted by University of Illinois Professor David E. Lindstrom and released by the Methodist Division of National Missions. Almost all ministers and laymen reported their belief in such basic tenets as the fatherhood of God, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, God's revelation as the Trinity. After that, the differences start cropping up:
¶Some 85% of the laymen believe that "Jesus' resurrection is our pledge of assurance of eternal life," but only 78% of the ministers accept this "completely."
More than a quarter...
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