Most Americans Believe in Higher Power, Poll Finds

Posted: Jun 23, 08 6:50pm

Looks like TBD is right on track with the rest of the country in its views.

Here's an article from the Washington Post stating that, according to a poll by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, "92 percent believe in God or a universal spirit -- including one in five of those who call themselves atheists" and that "Americans aren't rigid about their beliefs. Most of those studied -- even many of the most religiously conservative -- have a remarkably nonexclusive attitude toward other faiths. Seventy percent of those affiliated with a religion believe that many religions can lead to eternal salvation. And only about one-quarter of those surveyed believe there is only one way to interpret their religion's teachings."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/23/AR2008062300813.html?hpid=topnews&sid=ST2008062300818&pos=

Tags:

religion, poll, culture, spirituality

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26 Comments // 11 Members

40snfabulous

Posted: Jun 23, 08 6:54pm

Otter, thanks so much for this post. You have confirmed everything I have always hoped and reaffirmed my faith in mankind!

There may be hope for us, after all!

P.S. I miss your cool spectacles...

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Otter

Posted: Jun 23, 08 7:11pm

Yep - it really explains the dissension and debates here, too, which is why it fascinates me.

I recently took a mini course in comparative religions and learned that the religious freedom under which the US was founded has directly impacted our religious views here; folks in this culture take as their right and privilege the ability to explore and change religious traditions. A uniquely American view.

(I forgot my glasses when I had the photo taken) :-)

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Judi

Posted: Jun 23, 08 10:20pm

I'm in the minority, I guess (sigh). But I guess if God says that the gate is narrow . . . then I guess I squeezed through okay. LOL

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DoofsterDan

Posted: Jun 23, 08 10:27pm

...but the gate IS narrow. Might each religion be a gate...and you be judged by THOSE principles? My sophomore geometry test wasn't graded by senior english standards, though the gate was narrow to get an A in both.

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Judi

Posted: Jun 23, 08 10:44pm

Nope, sorry! God doesn't work that way, and it's not my decision.

; - ) That doesn't mean I don't love you guys, or that I don't believe in free will or everyone's right to believe as they wish. I also won't tell anyone else what to believe, but I do have no qualms in relaying to someone what I believe and what the Bible says about it all. This is how it is for me.

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CarolT

Posted: Jul 5, 08 6:59pm

Judi wrote:

Nope, sorry! God doesn't work that way, and it's not my decision.

Who are you to know how God works?

I'm reminded of the Groucho Marx quote that he wouldn't belong to any club that would have him as a member. If that's the way your religion works, I would never subscribe to it. Such chutzpah!

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Maria Martinez

Posted: Jul 5, 08 7:15pm

Too many religions, too many opinions, but only one God. We human beings are misticos by nature and need to believe in something to be completed. Even atheists believe in "not believing".

I decided to believe in God because like a famous person said (I forgot his name): Is better to live like there is a God than live like there is none, and die and find out He is there for real.

Well, God bless everybody.

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