America: Not As Bad As We Think?
A recent survey by Baylor University shows that America might not be in as bad of a spiritual shape than is commonly perceived.
In the study, which was conducted by the Gallup Organization, the university’s Institute for Studies on Religion sought to look deeper at what Americans believe than a lot of the current polls and surveys do. Instead of just asking, “Do you believe in God?” Baylor’s study would also ask “What do you believe He is like?”
The results are, in some cases, surprising and encouraging. Here’s some common myths or assumptions the study refuted:
1. Megachurches are shallow and disconnected
The common thought about megachurches (at least among those who don’t attend them), is that they are more of a show than a church, a place where people show up for an hour and a half on Sunday mornings to hear a feel-good message and then leave, never making any relationships.
Baylor’s study showed that megachurch tend to show more commitment to their churches by attending more Bible studies, volunteer and outside activities, and tithing more regularly than do congregants at smaller churches. They also have similar views on theological issues, showing that they’re not as shallow as many might think.
2. Atheism is on the rise
Many have speculated that because of the popularity of books like The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins, atheism is on the rise. Baylor’s study shows that the percentage of Americans who are atheists is holding steady at 4 percent. Also, among those who said they have “no religion,” two-thirds believe in a God, more than half pray, and one-third believe in heaven and hell.
3. Christians are fed up with the church and moving on
Many today are saying that Christians are growing dissatisfied with the church and moving on to religious activities not associated with congregations. While it is true that the number of people doing faith-based volunteer work, Bibles studies and prayer groups not associated with a church is large, Baylor’s study found that the vast majority of these people do not see these activities as a substitute for a church home and regularly attend services.
4. Americans no longer believe in hell
In the part of the survey most shocking to me, 73 percent of Americans believe that hell absolutely or probably exists, and a higher percentage believe in heaven. I thought the number would be much lower.
Of course, the results of a single survey are limited and open to interpretation. Just because a high percentage of Americans believe in a God doesn’t mean they have the joy of Christ in their lives. Still, I was encouraged by the results displayed here. It’s so hard to get a good, objective view of the state of Christianity when we see so much of the world through a secular media. But the numbers of people shown here who are dedicated to attending Bible studies, prayer groups and volunteer work shows the Christ still reigns in the hearts of many people across the U.S.
In the study, which was conducted by the Gallup Organization, the university’s Institute for Studies on Religion sought to look deeper at what Americans believe than a lot of the current polls and surveys do. Instead of just asking, “Do you believe in God?” Baylor’s study would also ask “What do you believe He is like?”
The results are, in some cases, surprising and encouraging. Here’s some common myths or assumptions the study refuted:
1. Megachurches are shallow and disconnected
The common thought about megachurches (at least among those who don’t attend them), is that they are more of a show than a church, a place where people show up for an hour and a half on Sunday mornings to hear a feel-good message and then leave, never making any relationships.
Baylor’s study showed that megachurch tend to show more commitment to their churches by attending more Bible studies, volunteer and outside activities, and tithing more regularly than do congregants at smaller churches. They also have similar views on theological issues, showing that they’re not as shallow as many might think.
2. Atheism is on the rise
Many have speculated that because of the popularity of books like The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins, atheism is on the rise. Baylor’s study shows that the percentage of Americans who are atheists is holding steady at 4 percent. Also, among those who said they have “no religion,” two-thirds believe in a God, more than half pray, and one-third believe in heaven and hell.
3. Christians are fed up with the church and moving on
Many today are saying that Christians are growing dissatisfied with the church and moving on to religious activities not associated with congregations. While it is true that the number of people doing faith-based volunteer work, Bibles studies and prayer groups not associated with a church is large, Baylor’s study found that the vast majority of these people do not see these activities as a substitute for a church home and regularly attend services.
4. Americans no longer believe in hell
In the part of the survey most shocking to me, 73 percent of Americans believe that hell absolutely or probably exists, and a higher percentage believe in heaven. I thought the number would be much lower.
Of course, the results of a single survey are limited and open to interpretation. Just because a high percentage of Americans believe in a God doesn’t mean they have the joy of Christ in their lives. Still, I was encouraged by the results displayed here. It’s so hard to get a good, objective view of the state of Christianity when we see so much of the world through a secular media. But the numbers of people shown here who are dedicated to attending Bible studies, prayer groups and volunteer work shows the Christ still reigns in the hearts of many people across the U.S.
posted by Editor at 3:52 PM
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