The majority of U.S. adults believe in God, but percentage who believe is down six percentage points from 2017 and is the lowest in Gallup’s polling since the 1940s. It’s lower with liberals and younger Americans.
Between 1944 and 2011, more than 90% of Americans believed in God. Now, 81% believe in God while 17% say they do not believe in God.
The poll was the May 2-22 “Values and Beliefs” survey, first conducted in 1944 and repeated every few years since then. In the early years, 98% of Americans said they believed in God; by 2011, 92% said they did. In 2013, it dropped to 87%, and this year dropped again to 81%.
Gallup has also in recent years asked other questions aimed at measuring belief in God or a higher power. All find the vast majority of Americans saying they believe. When given the option, 5% to 10% have said they were “unsure,” the polling company said.
While younger leftists are less believing, conservatives and married adults are generally at the same percentage as before, with over 90% believing in God.
The groups with the largest declines are also the groups that are currently least likely to believe in God, including liberals (62%), young adults (68%) and Democrats (72%). Belief in God is highest among political conservatives (94%) and Republicans (92%), reflecting that religiosity is a major determinant of political divisions in the U.S., according to Gallup.
Therein Lies the Problem when less and less believe in God. Taking God or even just believing in a higher being has degraded our Nation and out us on a Path insolvency in the future.
I did not realize that your God believes in the Chicago School of economic theory. But sure, it would make sense that He/She/They are a free-market god.
For many in today’s world there isn’t need for God. After all, with the ‘progressive’s’ relentless push toward their utopia on earth, why not? God is just too judgmental and demanding. An easier way to go for many is through secular humanism. Secular means you eliminate any higher authority who might deign to tell you what you can or cannot do. And humanism means you put your faith in humans ‘evolving’ through persistent efforts to scratch every perceived itch. All without constraints or comment. Faith in God is in opposition to today’s credo that ‘nobody can tell me what to do’. For worse, half of America is going down this road in one way or another. For better, more than half of the country rejects secular humanism and believes in God and in America. With the recent surge of conservative decisions by the Supreme Court, one can sense that secular humanism is increasingly being seen as woefully inadequate. People are understanding that God and country is far more satisfying for the soul.
Jesus said that as He hears the Father speak, so does He speak … and as He sees the Father do, so does He do. By His example is what we are to do.
The judgmental and demanding part was put upon us by the religious leadership … falsely invoking God as their authority.
Jesus called us His friends … which doesn’t sound very control freaky at all.
Surprised? I’m not.
How many of them were raised in a church home? Mom and dad have to lead by example.
When you let the state groom you kids into the church of government via public education, what do you expect?
Thing is, they still are religious. They just pray to government. They have the “sacraments of abortion and climate change. Since our generation didn’t bother to instill our faith in them, they found their own.
I struggle to see where horoscopes are any less credible than 1) being born of a virgin, 2) rising from the dead, 3) raising others from the dead, 4) ascending into heaven, 5) turning water in to wine, 6) the Triune God, 7) Transubstantiation, 8) Heaven, Hell, Purgatory and Limbo, 9) a God that is apparently White and male, and 10) all manner of other nonsensical religious fantasy.
Young (and rational) people rightly question the presence of a benevolent and omnipotent God who would allow 1) the Holocaust, 2) persecution of His own followers, 3) war, 4) inequality, 5) starvation, 6) child abuse, 7) mass shootings, 8) White supremacy, and 9) all manner of other vile and repulsive acts that should be anathema to a kind and caring God. I guess He is just testing his followers in some sort of weird, cruel and twisted way.
Secular humanism works great for me. No fantasy required. Long may the decline continue.
Let’s get the discussion started, MRAK, so please don’t trash my comments again. My views are equally valid as those of the pro-religious.
There is a difference between an article of faith, and believing that your day is determines by what month you are born in.
However, you do not have an invalid point. IF you believe it in, you believe in it.
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Enjoy your secular humanism. I will promise not to push my beliefs on you.
You would prefer a console game life, where you can simply restart from your last game save … instead of reality?
Yo Dog… you forgot vicarious redemption. That’s a biggie.
Can you just imagine Moses coming off of the mountain w/ the sacred tablets and reading them off to the assembled pile? As he rattles a few off to the group he gets to…
– Thou shalt not commit adultery, and hears from the crowd ‘whaaa? We had a major league bacchanal planned for tonight! This will never do!
…or
– Thou shalt not covet. I’ve been accused of a bunch of stuff but thought crime? That’s a clear outlier.
Fewer and fewer believe in any nonsensical concepts; religion chief among them. Ask yourself; what’s more likely… immaculate conception, or that a young unwed jewish girl lied?
Want a clear indication that some of those ancient novelists were old pervs? How about Numbers 31:18? “But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.” All the young dudes had to be killed. All of everyone else… except virgin girls. Now what possible need might that have served aside from giving the old perv that wrote it pause? Can you hear the echo of his bronze age heh. Heh heh heh. MmMMmm.
Never fear though. A bible scholar (which is a lot like a Stan Lee comic magazine scholar) will be along to tell us what God’s will was.
Want another one? You’re walking in the Chugach Park and a bush lights on fire in front of you and whispers “yo, kill your kid. Right here, right now; kill your kid. Tell the kid about it first, too. Do it”.
Now the question is, under what scenario does the biblical option seem like anything other than absolute lunacy? You’d tell the bush what I’d tell the bush. Oh wait… I’ve seen a fiery bush before but it didn’t talk much.
BTW, you’ll need to suit up if you’re going to think for yourself. There’s a great unwashed hoard of folks (most recently Mr. Chance in my case) that will refer to you as a vile individual for not being a puppet of similar calling. There is no debating them; they are as babes and know not what they speak.
TB – yes thanks for reminding me about that one. I also meant to include 10) asking your Son to die for you, and 11) Asking Abraham to kill his son to prove his faith. Cool.
I was raised in a strictly religious home, went to parochial school and parochial University, and have ordained mainstream pastors as siblings. But I have cast it all aside as I’ve come to see it as unnecessary, and a bit laughable, really. Balm for weak and foolish minds.
Recommended reading:
The God Delusion
God is Not Great
The End of Faith
Under the Banner of Heaven
There’s a lot to like about religion – music, art, architecture, tradition, some of the Commandments, but the theology is utter rubbish. Discard it and never look back.
Absolutely! Christopher Hitchens is an xlnt author and videos of his debates online are outstanding. I genuinely miss that guy. Dawkins is a little less interesting to listen to but equally as insightful. I too am from a strikingly religious upbringing and sympathize w/ those that may just now be wrestling w/ the chasm that exists between what they’ve been taught as a child as opposed to anything that makes sense.
That poll reveals The Big Lie we’re told every day. Have faith, soldier on, and throw your television away.
But in 1944 more people believed in the God(s) promoted by local preachers and priests. All that has gone by the way now, or at least much of it. Each 21st century American believer has developed his/her own beliefs and god(s). In 1944, many American adults believed in heaven and hell, St. Peter’s judgement, etc. The Bible was the literal truth for those Americans. Those who still regularly attend church today do so for different reasons than people had in 1944. In 1944, one in ten Americans was in uniform. If, as analysts say, this proxy war in Ukraine is for us just a speed bump in the road to an inevitable war with China we may well see a resurgence of some organized religion taking hold when we are in the midst of that coming all-in war.
The post says “religeons” not God. Young people are turning away from organized religeons that hide clergy sexual abuse and extravagant lifestyles.
Everyone is an atheist. Everyone including you, Frank.
There are over 1000 religions in the world. What do you think of Honuman the Monkey God? Got strong thoughts there? I’d bet a nickel you think Hanuman is an odd construct and makes no sense at all. The mormon stuff about getting your own planet and special underwear? Absolute horsefeathers. You are an atheist to 999 of ’em and only believe the nonsensical one that your folks stuffed in your tiny little mind when you were still Santa Clause susceptible and Easter Bunny vulnerable.
No one’s going home and inventing their own impression of God and it’s not religions as opposed to God. It’s the whole shameful nonsensical money extorting, poor people bilking, guilt teaching machine has run its course and mostly only old people are inclined to believe such quackery now. Present company excepted of course.
Think all of the old school Catholic quackery has died? Noop. I was offered the chance to purchase an indulgence in front of a cathedral in Barcelona not long ago. I should’ve bought a couple. Maybe nailed the neighbor lady w/ Jesus’ blessing.
Maybe it has something to do with the hypocrisy of huge rich mega churches amassing wealth but ignoring the poor, or pro life activists pushing to control women’s bodies but simultaneously cutting social services that support new mothers. Or maybe it has something to do with the Christian embrace of a godless heretic like Trump. God does say something about getting your own house in order. Maybe it’s time for the church to look inward.
Dont pretend to care about the poor and mothers.
I challenge them to read the Gettysburg address aloud, then read Zbigniew Brezesinski’s recent writings and remember O’bama’s gift to the Queen of England video cd’s of Hollywood products as America’s only exports to the world. Then I’d urge them to wise up.
Generations of leftists trying to destroy conventional values is coming to fruition.
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Remember, the goal of leftists/statists/progressives is to make your relationship with the all powerful state your only important relationship. All other relationships are secondary.
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Instead of turning to parents, or God for guidance, peace, or confidence, you are expected to look to the State. Religious belief and strong families are in the way, so they must be destroyed in the name of progress.
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This is not a byproduct, it IS the product.
Smart kids! God is the devil and religion is hell. Combine the two with Republicans and we have the USA.
Sweeney takes the position that messed-up kids are a good thing for our country. No discipline. No authority to follow. No rules. That’s why we have so much grooming, pedophilia, mental illness, unwanted pregnancies, addictions, etc. Sweeney and Sweeney’s role models are the reason for USA decline. They need more than psychological therapy. They need full-on brain surgery. Messed-up people. Really messed-up.
The Bible is a letter from GOD to each one of us it is his words letting us know how it was in the beginning and how it will be in the end. Time is running out to decide give the Bible a shot you will be shocked at how a book can talk to you. Start your relationship with GOD immediately I guarantee your action will be satisfaction. GOD and Jesus want a relationship with you they are waiting for you to open there letter to you.
You do realize that the Christian Bible is not the actual word of God, right? Not even the red text in the New Testament. The Bible was written by dozens of your God’s followers over centuries. Your “relationship with Jesus” is really a relationship with someone else’s interpretation of possible events, the recording of those events, and then numerous translations and politically motivated events (see centuries of European history). Thank you for your suggestion Oath integrity, but I’m happy not further studying any mythology.
Cool story.
Bible is the word of God. Move along.
“Misquoting Jesus” by Bart D. Ehrman lays out all your points, and much more … but without supporting anyone’s agenda.
My opinion is that Yahweh allowed it to be so that we wouldn’t worship the Book, as the “King James only” bunch does. Also, it underscores the teaching that we are to be saved by faith and not by our own wisdom.
jesus
Stunningly sad! When you see the current state of the world and watch these world leaders, including the Biden Regime, lie over and over again to the people and exert their power and control over citizens lives, you must ask yourself an important question. Who can I trust and who really loves me? Many Churches have unfortunately abdicated their devotion to God’s Holy Word and to teaching the youth about Jesus Christ and his teachings before ascending to heaven. Jesus was the true example of love and sacrifice for all of mankind. For a person to reject God and believe men is a tragedy that only the power of God can rectify. Our nation is currently experiencing the results of a godless society and it can get far worse. It is the fear of almighty God that brings wisdom and in turn keeps a civil society, civil. The Founding Fathers understood this when they said the American Constitutional Republic was designed for a religious and moral people and was inadequate for any other type of society. When we allow our youth to stray from God and don’t share God’s love for all people, we do a disservice to our youth and nation. They need to understand the character of God and his long-suffering love to see none perish in the pit of hell. There will be an end to this earth, it is inevitable. We are born and we die. Upon that death we will kneel before the true King, Jesus Christ and explain our lives and answer his questions before being judged for eternal glory and happiness or eternal damnation. There is no dying with nothing beyond, you will answer for this life. Will you believe in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who shed his blood on the cross to wash yours sins clean making you presentable to Father God? Or will you allow the Devil to drag you down to the pit with him? Your answer has eternal consequences! Make a decision today to repent of your sins and choose Jesus as your savior. He loves you unconditionally and wants to take you home to a place that is impossible to perceive how beautiful and peaceful it is. To Jesus be the glory for ever and ever, Amen.
Sir, you’ve had too much Kool Aid. What utter rubbish.
I don’t even like Kool-Aid and no rubbish here. It is called Faith in the Word God gave to all mankind. Try reading the Bible to understand where I’m coming from before commenting. This world is dark and controlled by some evil folks who want to control you and enslave you. They worship Satan.
1 Peter 5:8-9
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
The remedy to Satan.
Luke 21:25-27
The Coming of the Son of Man
“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
I like a good horoscope myself
Such advice being dispensed! The young are not ignorant: they know the “content” of hypocrisy and are well aware of ministerial “abuse.” It would be unadviseable to try having an honest discussion regarding “Christian” life, salvation, and divine retribution on this forum! Belief in God, eh? For those who are quick to pontificate, consider this: practice what you preach, and definitely keep your hands to yourself!
Suzanne, respectfully, you need more current, mainstream, software. The inability to correct and edit results in a lot of word salad posted. Many examples above.
The Lord moves in mysterious ways and his teachings are not always easily interpreted.
Same can be said of his nutbars. Adherents are all as qualified to pontificate as any of the ancients and what you’re referring to as word salad is really just like a modern version of Revelations. Study their words and the meaning will come to you. Pray over the hard parts. If God doesn’t seem to answer your prayers try praying to Joe Pesci and you’ll see they’re answered in roughly the same way and with the same frequency.
Sorry, your on the wrong website. If your looking for censorship go to Facebook or Twitter. This is a free speech site!
The WORD of God does foretell at very end peoples will turn away from our God whom
gaves us all breath and life. Many people-multitudes- will be scoffers, mockers, liarers, robbers, adulterers, idolators, lover of self in our last days more than a lover of God. (2timothy3:1-9 followed by pauls encouragement the young timothy 3:10-17)
This what is expected. our charge is the
same as the one
given to tim tim. The ones seeking Truth are counting on us christians remaining faithful so to be a teacher of God’s timeless ageless
word.
I swear. Us serpent handlers never get any respect.
Where’s I leave my jug o’ turpentine. The lord’s calling that I should have me a slurp.
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