Christmas 2010 is a whole lotta jingle and not so much Jesus. Two new surveys find more than nine in 10 Americans celebrate the holiday — even if they’re atheists, agnostics or believers in non-Christian faiths such as Judaism and Islam.

A closer look at Christmas activities reveals what may be the first measurement of an “alarming” gap between belief and behavior, says Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research, a Nashville-based Christian research organization.

The surveys — by LifeWay (For many, Jesus isn’t the reason for the season) and USA TODAY/Gallup — indicate that while most call this a holy day that is primarily religious, their actions say otherwise. Many skip church, omit Jesus and zero in on the eggnog.

LifeWay’s survey of 2,110 adults found 74% called Christmas “primarily” religious. And a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll of 1,000 adults found 51% say, for them, it’s “strongly religious,” up from 40% in 1989.

But what does “religious” mean? Not so much for a significant number of Americans, the data indicate. Most surveyed said they will give gifts (89%), dine with family or friends (86%), put up a Christmas tree (80%) and play holiday music (79%).

The percentages plummet when it comes to religious activities:
• 58% say they “encourage belief in Jesus Christ as savior.”
• 47% attend church Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
• 34% watch “biblical Christmas movies.”
• 28% read or tell the Christmas story from the Bible.

Read More: http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2010-12-20-unchristmas20_ST_N.htm