I KNOW WHAT I BELIEVE! …I think?
I KNOW WHAT I BELIEVE! …I think?
Dec 21I found this poll very intriguing on many levels – check it out & leave some thoughts in the comments:
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–A new Harris Poll finds that the great majority (82%) of American adults believe in God, exactly the same number as in two earlier Harris Polls in 2005 and 2007. Large majorities also believe in miracles (76%), heaven (75%), that Jesus is God or the Son of God (73%), in angels (72%), the survival of the soul after death (71%), and in the resurrection of Jesus (70%).
Less than half (45%) of adults believe in Darwin’s theory of evolution but this is more than the 40% who believe in creationism.
These are some of the results of The Harris Poll® of 2,303 adults surveyed online between November 2 and 11, 2009 by Harris Interactive®.
The survey also finds that:
61% of adults believe in hell;
61% believe in the virgin birth (Jesus born of Mary);
60% believe in the devil;
42% believe in ghosts;
32% believe in UFOs;
26% believe in astrology;
23% believe in witches
20% believe in reincarnation – that they were once another person.
None of these numbers have changed much since previous surveys in 2005 and 2007.
Religious Differences
There are very big differences between the beliefs of Catholics, Protestants, born-again Christians and Jews.
Catholics are more likely than all adults to believe in: God (94% compared to 82%); heaven (86% vs. 75%); that Jesus is God or the Son of God (90% vs. 73%); angels (83% vs. 72%); the survival of the soul after death (82% vs. 71%); the resurrection of Jesus Christ (87% vs. 70%); hell (70% vs. 61%); and the virgin birth (by 74% vs. 61%).
Catholics are also somewhat more likely than all adults to believe in Darwin’s theory of evolution (51% vs. 45%).
Protestants are also more likely to believe in God (92%), %); that Jesus is God or the Son of God (91%); heaven (90%); angels (88%); the resurrection of Jesus (88%); miracles (87%); the survival of the soul (85%); the virgin birth (79%); the devil (77%) and hell (73%).
But Protestants are much less likely than all adults to believe in Darwin’s theory of evolution (32%), ghosts (33%); astrology (20%); and reincarnation (13%). They are more likely than all adults to believe in creationism (56% vs. 40%).
Born-again Christians are much more likely than Catholics or all Protestants to believe in God (97%); heaven (97%); the Resurrection (97%); miracles (95%); angels (95%); the virgin birth (92%); the survival of the soul (91%); hell (89%); and the devil (89%).
Born-again Christians are also much more likely to believe in creationism (68%), and much less likely to believe in Darwin’s theory of evolution (16%).
Jews are, of course, very unlikely to believe in the basic elements of Christianity. They are also less likely than all adults to believe in miracles (63%); heaven (48%); the survival of the soul (37%); angels (36%); hell (21%); and the devil (7%).
Jews are by far the most likely to believe in Darwin’s theory of evolution (80%) and the least likely to believe in creationism (20%). They are also less likely than all adults to believe in ghosts (10% vs. 42%), UFOs (20% vs. 32%), astrology (19% vs. 26%); and witches (8% vs. 23%).
So what?
Two “big picture” findings are worth noting:
Many people consider themselves Christians without necessarily believing in some of the key beliefs of Christianity. However, this is not true of born-again Christians.
In addition to their religious beliefs, large minorities of adults, including many Christians, have “pagan” or pre-Christian beliefs such as a belief in ghosts, astrology, witches and reincarnation.
- Do You Know What You Believe? Are you sure??
- Does it matter? If yes, to who?
- What do you find most concerning about this poll?
- Will it matter 5 minutes from now?
This is the Message I’ve been set apart to proclaim as preacher, emissary, and teacher. It’s also the cause of all this trouble I’m in. But I have no regrets. I couldn’t be more sure of my ground—the One I’ve trusted in can take care of what he’s trusted me to do right to the end. 2 Timothy 1:11-12 msg.
I KNOW… and am determined to KNOW more & more, Chilly
To read more of the details about this survey, click here: Belief.
I find the poll of Jewish people really sad because they are God’s chosen people, but I am really grateful that I am also God’s chosen. This is a rather interesting poll. I KNOW what I believe because of what I’ve been through and what Christ has done for me and where He’s brought me from and it matters immensely to me but I think also, it matters to whomever I share it with, because God loves each of us the same (so what He’s done for me, He’ll do for someone else). He’s amazing. It matters every second of my life, because I’m grateful for Him every day all throughout each day. When I look at the snow-covered ground and trees, and the sun is sparkling on the freshly fallen snow, I see God’s beauty, and I feel so thankful to witness His beauty with Him in my heart and in my life.
A lot of those numbers are pretty shocking to me – especially the Jewish ones. I guess I’ve been pretty ignorant. I KNOW what I believe & I think this survey/post will help me to remember that a lot of people, well… don’t! They’re confused, lost, and need pointed in Jesus’ direction, even if they “claim to be a Christian”, etc. Very interesting stuff. It does matter – a lot – and I’m going to try to remember this stuff when having conversations with people, realizing they are pretty likely to believe this way.
I really like this. Save it for me on a Word doc and email if possible.
I think more-so than the Jewish stats…the Born-again Christian stats surprised me. 97% said they believe in God? How can you be born-again and not believe in God? Unless they’re allowing room for a [+/- 3] differential. Everything has become so inclusive and watered down that people really don’t know what they believe. I saw a Gallup poll from 2008 that said 77% of americans considered themselves Christians… but it was funny that even the poll boasted this disclaimer:
“It is important to note that basic religious identification says little about the relevance of that identity to the person’s life. Identifying with a religion doesn’t indicate how actively the individual practices the religion. It doesn’t indicate whether the person rigorously adheres to that religion’s beliefs. It simply states that the person has some connection to and some identity with a specific type of religion.”