U.S. religious surveys show both positive, negative elements

The feature article in the Oct. 4 edition of Parade Magazine asked the question, “How Spiritual Are We?”

The results of the Parade survey showed that “69 percent of Americans believe in God – only 5 percent said they didn’t believe in God, 7 percent weren’t sure about the existence of God and 12 percent didn’t believe in an afterlife – 77 percent pray outside religious services and 75 percent believe it’s a parent’s responsibility to give children a religious upbringing.”

This positive feature shows that most Americans are religious people who believe in God and want God to be part of their lives.

Overall, Americans are tolerant people: 59 percent believe that all religions are valid. Only 12 percent said that their own religion was the only true faith.

We can disagree about certain beliefs and practices of our particular religious group yet still affirm that the core doctrines of others’ faith. Most mainline Christian religions believe in the existence of God, that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, that faith in the Lord Jesus saves us, that Baptism makes us a member of God’s family, etc.

How often do Americans attend religious services? The survey found that 30 percent said they attended once or more in a given week. The other 70 percent said they participated in organized religion sporadically or not at all.

Although 45 percent of the respondents called themselves religious, 50 percent said they rarely or never attend worship services. More than a quarter (27 percent) said they don’t practice any kind of religion.

Church attendance has been on the decline for the past five decades.

For example, a Catholic resource group found that Mass attendance in a given week peaked at 74 percent in 1957-58, gradually declining to about 41 percent in 1997, then spiking briefly to a new peak of 52 percent in 2000 before falling back to 40 percent in 2003.

Other surveys reflect similar findings in Protestant churches.

Another recent scientific survey reported that the secret of a longer life is attending church regularly.

The study found that churchgoers have lower blood pressure, suffer less from depression and have stronger immune systems. Nearly a third of those who regularly attend a place of worship are more likely to live longer.

No one seems to know the exact scientific reason why this is so.

Some think religious people take better care of themselves. Others think the friendship and support that go along with belonging to a church may be part of the reason religious people live longer.

Whatever the reason, it would appear faith is not only good for the soul but also good for the body.

The Parade survey found that Americans “are separating spirituality from religion.” In fact, 24 percent put themselves into a new category “spiritual but not religious.” Maybe this is because many people look at religion as a set of rules and regulations and not as a loving relationship between God and ourselves.

Among the respondents just 15 percent thought religion should be a key factor in political decision, while 58 percent said religion and politics should not mix at all.

I find it interesting that people can easily separate religion and life.

Many decisions we make as a country have moral and ethical implications: how we take care of God’s creation (our environment), our moral convictions about abortions, just wars, capital punishment, helping people in need, etc. are all part of the moral fiber of our lives.

Religion should never promote individuals politicians but should be active in promoting gospel values in all aspect of life. Jesus told us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

Let’s let our light shine so that others will see what we do and want to join us in worshiping God.