Thinking about Obama’s charms he carries in his pocket and what defines Christian vs New Age. It made me start thinking about the polls asking Americans if they believe in God and what that really means. “God” can have varied meanings especially the different definition the new age movement holds and so can the word Christian. I want to emphasize I am not posting this for or against any religious organization.
I found some interesting statistics that my show why American is so confused about God and falling for the New Age.
www.barna.org
Barna Research Group, an independent marketing research firm which has tracked trends related to beliefs, values and behaviors since 1984.
Disclaimer Quote…… from www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com :”George Barna - Once a trusted source for statistics and research, Barna now teaches for Rick Warren's Purpose-Driven Life Children's Ministry.”
“George Barna, president of the research firm that conducted the research, noted, "It is important to remember that we are not reporting the official teachings of these churches. The data reflect what the people within those churches believe.”
A poll from Barna Research Group taken shows:
Jesus Christ
• More than two out of every five adults (41%) believe that when Jesus Christ lived on earth He committed sins. (2007)
Satan
• In 2007 more than half of adults (57%) say that the devil, or Satan, is not a living being but is a symbol of evil.
• In 2007 46% of born again Christians deny Satan's existence.
• Two-thirds of Catholics (64%) say the devil is non-existent and only a symbol of evil. (2007)
They have many informative articles here are some I read that I felt were relevant:
1) Religious Beliefs Vary Widely By Denomination: June 25, 2001
Here are some excerpts:
“The notion that Satan, or the devil, is a real being who can influence people's lives is regarded as hogwash by most Americans. Only one-quarter (27%) strongly believes that Satan is real while a majority argues that he is merely a symbol of evil. Mormons are the group most likely to accept the reality of Satan's existence (59%) while Catholics, Episcopalians and Methodists are the least likely (just one-fifth).”
“One of the most remarkable insights into America's faith is the fact that less than half of all adults (40%) are convinced that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life during His three decades on earth. Following the established pattern, the people most likely to describe Jesus' life as sinless were those who attend Pentecostal and Assemblies of God churches, as well as Mormons, while those least likely to view Jesus as sinless attend Episcopal, Catholic and Lutheran churches.”
2) Christianity is No Longer Americans’ Default Faith: January 12, 2009
Here are some excerpts:
“….Specifically, this Update dives into our findings regarding people’s openness to embracing faiths other than Christianity, adoption of theological perspectives that are not from the Bible, and how significant faith is in people’s moral decision-making. President-elect Obama has promised significant change. It’s already happening in the spiritual realm”
“….50% of the adults interviewed agreed that Christianity is no longer the faith that Americans automatically accept as their personal faith….”
“Still, most people say their faith is becoming increasingly important as a source of personal moral guidance.”
“Among individuals who describe themselves as Christian,…., close to half believe that Satan does not exist, one-third contend that Jesus sinned while He was on earth, two-fifths say they do not have a responsibility to share the Christian faith with others, and one-quarter dismiss the idea that the Bible is accurate in all of the principles it teaches.”
“The Christian faith is less of a life perspective that challenges the supremacy of individualism as it is a faith being defined through individualism. Americans are increasingly comfortable picking and choosing what they deem to be helpful and accurate theological views and have become comfortable discarding the rest of the teachings in the Bible.”
“Growing numbers of people now serve as their own theologian-in-residence.”
“Americans are more likely to pit a variety of non-Christian options against various Christian-based views. This has resulted in an abundance of unique worldviews based on personal combinations of theology drawn from a smattering of world religions such as Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, and Islam as well as secularism.”
(All prior paragraphs in quotes are there words not mine; I give them full credit for the data there within. I have cut out some sections to shorten it please see the site for more details on their full research.)
As a Christian how can you believe Jesus Christ Sinned?
How can you as a Christian believe in the Old Testament or New Testament and not believe in Satan as a real entity?
Once the Belief of Christ having sinned and of Satan not being a real entity is removed you now enter the realm of the beliefs of the New Age. Easily falling prey to the doctrines of the devil, for according to them there is no Satan and there is no sinless Christ as a redeemer.
These polls show that people are merging beliefs from various religions and that they are piecing together there own inner found beliefs, just as the new age tells them to do. Find “god” within. They have become self-focused instead of Bible focused. Therefore when you look for answers from within, instead of Scripture you are doing exactly what the new age suggests. This then leads you easily to change meanings of scriptures to fit “you are god” and you open yourself up to unification of all world religions Buddhism, Hinduism, as well as secularism which the new Age Movement preaches.
On the site ReligiousTolerance.org
They cite Barna Research Group polls also and others.
They quote a poll (not sure whose) of the American Population
Regarding Reincarnation and Astrology in 2003:
Believe in reincarnation: 27%
Belief by persons over 64: 14%
Belief by persons 25 to 29 years of age: 40%
Astrology: Believe in the accuracy of astrology: 31%
Belief by persons over 64: 17%
Belief by persons 25 to 29 years of age: 43%
We can see the trend taking place. We are increasingly incorporating new age beliefs in our society and churches. I know none of this is surprising. I just felt it was important data to share.
I truly hope the research numbers do not offend any persons of any particle faith. That is the opposite of my intent. I just want to show the deep reach of the New Age Occult in the once Christian-based United States of America.
It appears from the data that only a small portion of those who call themselves Christian actually embrace the biblical Christ and his teachings. Yet the site says “Still, most people say their faith is becoming increasingly important as a source of personal moral guidance.”
What is the faith they are turning to if they are turning their backs on fundamental Christian beliefs? I think we all know the answer.
Rose
There is a great free online book on this subject and many more regarding the “New Spirituality”
go to www.reinventingjesuschrist.com .
The book is written by Warren Smith a Christian author. Constance Cumbey has had him on her show before. He has done great research on the New Age Occult. In his online book he has added updates to the book which is a really nice plus.
The Book Hidden of the Dangers by Constance Cumbey is also an excellent book on these topics. Constance had a blog site www.cumbey.blogspot.com and does radio shows Tuesdays and Thursday and a rebroadcast on Saturday.On www.themicroeffect.com
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