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If you had to guess, what percentage of Americans would you say believe in God? 30 percent? 50 percent? 70 percent? Well, according to a recent poll from Gallup, 92% of Americans claim they believe in God.
Yeah, yeah. I know what you’re thinking.
But it’s true; in fact, Gallup says the number hasn’t really changed all that much since they first asked the question in the 1940s. Over the past 6 ½ decades, the stat has hovered at the same overwhelming consensus, though it peaked to 98% in the 1950s and 1960s. Compared to Europeans – of which, only 52% believe in God according to the latest available data – Americans have the appearance of being quite devout.
In spite of this discovery, Gallup offers their readers a few interesting side notes. For example, in previous Gallup surveys where participants were allowed to express doubts about their beliefs, the percentage of Americans with definite belief in God dropped all the way down to 70%. Further, 12% of Americans say they believe in a “universal spirit” or “higher power” instead of God when given those options.
Their survey also discovered that:
- 18-29 year olds are the least likely to believe in God (84%)
- Older Americans were the most likely to believe (94%)
- 98% of Republicans believe in Him, while only 90% of Democrats and 89% of Independents do
What about people with blue eyes? How many of them believe?
These numbers are probably a bit confusing (or comical) to dedicated Christians. I mean, none of us see 92% of our neighbors going to church on the weekends. None of us see 92% of our co-workers tithing. None of us see 92% of our friends denying themselves, taking up their cross, and following Jesus.
Heck, we don’t even see 92% of the church doing those things!
Still, the May (2011) report by Gallup reveals that when given the option of believing in God or not believing in God, more than 9 in 10 Americans claim they believe.
That’s encouraging, if only because it shows that we do not live in a completely secular and skeptical environment. But because of the huge disparity between the beliefs and lifestyles of most Americans, the church should renew its efforts to reach the lost, so that those who believe God exists can actually meet Him.
Click here for the online report.
Topics Illustrated Include:
America
Beliefs
Church
Commitment
Discipleship
Evangelism
Research
Stats
(Resource cataloged by David R Smith)
