Few Americans hold firmly to Biblical views of faith By John H. Adams The Layman Online Monday, July 31, 2000 Americans' firmly held views on 14 matters of faith coincide only twice with the teaching of Scripture, according to a random study by Barna Research Group of Ventura, Calif. The study did show that most Americans (85 percent) consider their religious faith very important to their lives and that generally their views coincided with the Bible. However, when questioned to agree strongly or disagree strongly with 14 theological statements, only twice did the majority of the survey hold unwaveringly to the Biblical view. Barna researchers said, "One of the most startling findings was that only three of the 1002 adults interviewed – less than three-tenths of one percent – had both a firm and biblically-consistent opinion for all 14 of the items." The only two statements that generated a majority response coinciding with the Bible were that the universe was created by God (74 percent strongly agreed) and that that sin is an outdated concept (68% strongly disagreed). Some of the other questions and the responses were: Angels exist and influence people's lives (49 percent strongly agreed). Fifty-three percent strongly agreed with the unbiblical view that God helps those who help themselves. Forty-one percent agreed strongly with the unbiblical view that the Holy Spirit is not a real entity but is just a symbol of God's presence or power. Forty percent agreed strongly with the unbiblical view that Satan is not a real being but is just a symbol of evil. Only 31 percent believed that they personally have a responsibility to tell others about their faith. Forty-four percent agreed that "it doesn't matter what religious faith you follow because they all teach the same lessons." Forty percent agreed that "after he was crucified and died, Jesus did not return to life physically." Forty-one percent agreed that "all people will experience the same outcome after death, regardless of their religious beliefs."

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