New Report on Religion in America

The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has just released the second part of their study on religion in America. They conclude from their research that

most Americans have a non-dogmatic approach to faith. A majority of those who are affiliated with a religion, for instance, do not believe their religion is the only way to salvation. And almost the same number believes that there is more than one true way to interpret the teachings of their religion. . . . This is not to suggest that Americans do not take religion seriously. The U.S. Religious Landscape Survey also shows that more than half of Americans say religion is very important in their lives, attend religious services regularly and pray daily. . . . The Landscape Survey confirms the close link between Americans' religious affiliation, beliefs and practices, on the one hand, and their social and political attitudes, on the other. Indeed, the survey demonstrates that the social and political fault lines in American society run through, as well as alongside, religious traditions.

What especially troubles me in reading this story is the number of members of evangelical churches that believe "many religions can lead to eternal life." According to the survey, 57% of evangelical church members believe that to be true. In other words, over half of the people surveyed from evangelical churches do not believe that John 14:6 or Acts 4:12 are true.

Here is a link to the full report: Religious Beliefs & Practices/Social & Political Views (You can also view the other report put out earlier this year on religious affiliation at that link).