The rest of the world must surely marvel at the nature of religion in America. For example, you may have read in the newspapers sometime back about the newly formed Positive Impact Church in South Centre, Pa. According to Associated Press reports this church advertised a raffle. Two thousand people signed up. Apparently they didn't read the fine print. They had to attend Sunday services to be eligible to win the prize of $1,000. Only about 30 showed up.

"Where are all the people?" asked the minister, George Lane, after an hour of religious songs and a humor-filled sermon in a school cafeteria. "It's kind of embarrassing." Lane said he was hoping to get about $1,000 in contributions. He got about $100. A woman who was present won the $1,000 but told Lane to keep the money for his ministry.…