A new survey has found that 60% of Americans do not believe God exists or that He “affects their lives.”
The study by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University reveals ‘Christianity’ is becoming an increasingly vague term, as only 40% of Americans believe God exists and influences human lives.
At the same time, an increasing number of believers say they are hesitant to “develop intimacy” with God, or allow Him to impact their lifestyle choices.
Two-thirds of American adults identify as ‘Christian’ – yet only 16% of those surveyed said God was the “most important” element of their life.
Of those who believe in God’s existence, 30 million rejected the notion that He is actively involved in every aspect of their life.
When asked what the God of the Bible provides to them, a majority of believers said He supplies hope (72%), comfort (71%), love (70%), peace (65%), guidance (64%), compassion (60%), joy (60%), and mercy (58%).
AUTHOR OF REPORT DESCRIBES FINDINGS AS “SHOCKING”
The author of the study and research director Dr. George Barna described the findings as “shocking.”
He said they point to a widespread version of ‘Christianity’ which has little to do with God, and more to do with nominal cultural markers.
“When you put all of these insights together, we understand we (Americans) have fashioned the God of the Bible to be a deity reconfigured into our own image in order to fit within our personal comfort zone,” concluded Dr. Barna.
“The more time you spend thinking about what this research tells us, the more you are likely to conclude that nothing short of sweeping national repentance and spiritual renewal can save America from itself.”
Just 20% of “those who believe the God of the Bible exists and affects lives” told the pollsters they had “an intimate and interactive spiritual relationship with Him, with constant two-way communication.”
“The fact that more than three out of four people who believe God exists and is influential in their lives, nevertheless do not get their identity from their relationship with Him, explains a lot,” Dr. Barna declared.
“The fact that two out of three people who believe in God’s existence and influence do not believe their connection to Him comes with responsibilities, delivers additional insight,” he added.
“Discovering that fewer than one out of five of the people who acknowledge God’s existence and influence are aware of any life boundaries that God provides to them explains even more,” he concluded, reflecting on the connection between his research and “the trials and tribulations, as well as the multi-faceted demise of the nation.”
