Source: Baptist News, November 24, 2021
New research on American beliefs about some of faith’s hardest questions highlights both the nation’s biblical illiteracy and the chasm between what various Christian traditions teach. And it holds a few surprises about how people in the pew actually believe things contrary to their own church’s doctrine.
Pew Research in September dug into Americans’ views on theodicy (why do bad things happen to good people?), as well as their views on the reality of heaven and hell and how one gets to either destination. (See Few Americans Blame God or Say Faith Has Been Shaken Amid Pandemic, Other Tragedies).
While most of the questions produced clear majority views within the American populace, the detailed analysis among various iterations of Christianity reveals deep differences. And it turns out that the majority view on some questions may part ways with orthodox Christian teaching.
For example, 33% of American adults—including 30% of those who identify as Christian—believe in reincarnation. No major branch of Christianity teaches reincarnation, which also has no support in the biblical text.
See also Bible App Installs and Use Show Global Bible Engagement Is on the Rise (Christian Newswire).