Nearly half of Americans uncertain God exists

From Breitbart.com:

Nearly half of Americans are not sure God exists, according to a poll that also found divisions among the public on whether God is male or female or whether God has a human form and has control over events.

The survey conducted by Harris Poll found that 42 percent of US adults are not “absolutely certain” there is a God compared to 34 percent who felt that way when asked the same question three years ago.

Among the various religious groups, 76 percent of Protestants, 64 percent of Catholics and 30 percent of Jews said they are “absolutely certain” there is a God while 93 percent of Christians who describe themselves as “Born Again” feel certain God exists.

When questioned on whether God is male or female, 36 percent of respondents said they think God is male, 37 percent said neither male nor female and 10 percent said “both male and female.”

Only one percent think of God as a female, according to the poll.

Asked whether God has a human form, 41 percent said they think of God as “a spirit or power than can take on human form but is not inherently human.”

As to whether God controls events on Earth, 29 percent believe that to be the case while 44 percent said God “observes but does not control what happens on Earth”.

The survey was conducted online between October 4 and 10 among 2,010 US adults.

Asking questions like this causes people to think. When people actually think about God and religion, rather than just going along with the flow, they begin to realize just how little they know. Most of us came to our religion and belief in God because that is the way we were raised. And the God myth is so prevalent in our society that it perpetuates itself because people aren’t called upon to think.

I hope more and more people begin to think about what they believe. A survey like this should open some eyes. When asked the question, “Do you believe in God?” many people will say yes. But look at all the varying degrees of belief and beliefs. If there is that much difference, how can any of it be true? Which one is true? Are any of these true?

One of the things that got me started in the unbelieving direction were questions like these. I’ll post more on this tomorrow. Stay tuned…


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5 Responses to “Nearly half of Americans uncertain God exists”

  1. Mary Says:
    November 1st, 2006 at 8:55 pm

    Hi Theresa, wow that is exciting about the new house. We have been thinking about downsizing since my disease makes movement difficult. So far we have just switched offices. I have just listened to a tape series from a gentleman who isyy in OA and describes himself as agnostic jew. Yet he believes in a Higher Power. Of course all 12 step programs are based on spirituality and works better than any other program for people. There is even a chapter called “we agnostics”. Carl is the smartest man I know, truly gifted intellectually. Yet he is the most devoted Christian I know of. He studies the bible every day and we pray together each morning. The peace I feel is real. I have had some serious bouts of depression (for years at a time) and it makes it difficult for me to think of spiritual things in that state. But the peace and security is always there. Just a thought

  2. Immanuel Says:
    November 2nd, 2006 at 1:47 am

    Hi, Theresa, belief or unbelief, definetly a choice to be made. To go beyond belief to knowing, now there is the stumbling block. My point is that you can know God, the creator of the Heavens and the Earth, He will and can speak to you. Just like in Jesus’ time, there was unbelief and he did not perform miracles because of unbelief. He said on more than one occasion to the person healed that it was your faith that healed you. Even in our day, I know of many stories and people that have been healed, but just as in Jesus’ day unbelief is still prevalent. There is a verse in the Bible that talks about asking, seeking, and knocking, the only problem with this verse is that God is not the one seeking, asking, and knocking, it is supposed to be us doing the asking, seeking, and knocking. Blessings…

  3. Theresa Says:
    November 2nd, 2006 at 9:58 pm

    Hi Mary, We’re pretty excited. “Technically” we are downsizing from a 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath to a 3 bedroom 2 bath, but really it is a much bigger house :-) . No yard for David and plenty of space and sunshine for me.

    The thing with all of the 12 step programs is that they really don’t have all that good of a success rate. And it is not the only way to stop whatever - drinking, drugs, over-eating. It is one way. And for some people it does work, but some people do it on their own as well.

    I know Carl is smart and spiritual, so are you - so don’t sell yourself short. I used to be just like him - I studied the Bible every day for years, read through it each year for four or five years, prayed daily and felt like I knew God.

    But I know just because we feel things doesn’t make them true, just because we were brought up Christian doesn’t make it true, just because we are smart doesn’t mean we know it all. A lot of smart people believe weird things and one reason is because they are so smart they can convince themselves it is true.

    I’m happy, at peace, content and I love life. And I do it without being a Christian. Actually, even more so without being a Christian.

    I love you Mary!! I wish we could make it out for Thanksgiving> I haven’t seen you in forever.

  4. Theresa Says:
    November 2nd, 2006 at 10:08 pm

    Hi Immanuel - Thanks for commenting on my blog. You know, I used to think the same thing. I did know God and spoke to Him and felt like he spoke to me. But when I began asking questions, many that arose from reading the whole Bible numerous times, I began to get other answers than what I was used to. I believe there are many more unanswered questions than there are answers. I have a question - Why doesn’t God heal my sister of her depression and arthritis (see above). There is no consistency with God and too many excuses as to why it (whatever it may be) didn’t work this time. I hope more and more people question the religion they were brought up in and look at it from the outside.

  5. Beth Says:
    November 3rd, 2006 at 6:16 pm

    Hey… your comments work again!

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