Saturday, June 28, 2008

Do You Believe In God?

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace."
- Ephesians 1:7

More than 90 percent of Americans believe in God and more than half pray at least once a day, according to a recent poll taking an in-depth look at Americans' religious beliefs.

The poll, by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, also found that nearly three-fourths of Americans believe in heaven as a place where people who have led good lives will be eternally rewarded. If you are a Christian, you know that good works and "living a good life" will not get you into heaven, but they are a part of our commandment to others (love your neighbor, serve others, etc.).

Almost 60% believe in hell, where people who have led bad lives and die without repenting are eternally punished, the poll found. Give thanks to Jesus for dying for our sins and blessing us with his grace so that we can have eternal life at his side.

Majorities also believe that angels and demons are at work in the world and that miracles occur today as they did in ancient times. "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." - 1 Peter 5:8.

This is the organization's second report that is based on one of the largest polls of Americans' religious beliefs ever conducted, with more than 36,000 adults interviewed.

The first report released in February took a broad look at the American religious landscape, while this report dives deeply into the faith and politics of religious, and non-religious, Americans.

On the political side, for example, it found, among Jews who pray daily, 36% are politically conservative - more than twice as many as those who pray less often.

- Story originally reported in The Washington Post

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