This FOX News/Opinion Dynamics Poll states, among other things: "The national poll, conducted by Opinion Dynamics Corporation, shows that about a third of Americans believe in ghosts (34 percent) and an equal number in UFOs (34 percent), and about a quarter accept things like astrology (29 percent), reincarnation (25 percent) and witches (24 percent)." Also this: "Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say they believe in God (by eight percentage points), in heaven (by 10 points), in hell (by 15 points), and considerably more likely to believe in the devil (by 17 points). Democrats are more likely than Republicans to say they believe in reincarnation (by 14 percentage points), in astrology (by 14 points), in ghosts (by eight points) and UFOs (by five points)."
If I am reading the charts correctly, 85% of Americans believe in Heaven, but only 74% believe in Hell. I find it interesting that a person would belive in one, but not the other. Does this strike anyone else as odd?
cheers,
david m.
Odd, yes. But not surprising. There are a few Christian denominations that believe that God, being merciful and loving, could not stand to see a single one of His children cast into Hell. His love requires that He forgive all sin and bring all of His children to live with Him in Heaven.
This is not a belief that I ascribe to, but it seems that perhaps 10% or so of the population must. To me, such a belief seems exceedingly liberal in that it does not require personal responsibility on the part of the individual in any way. Regardless of ones total lack of belief in God or any attempt to live a moral life, God forgives you and you go to Heaven. Im no Bible scholar, but I think that notion stands on pretty flimsy scriptural evidence...