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Monday, June 23, 2008
Amanda Carpenter :: Townhall.com Columnist
Americans Believe in God, Heaven, Hell
by Amanda Carpenter
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An overwhelming majority of Americans believe in God, heaven, hell, miracles, angels and demons according to a landmark study on religious attitudes.

“Americans are nearly unanimous in saying they believe in God (92 percent), and large majorities believe in life after death (74 percent) and believe that Scripture is the word of God (63 percent),” according to the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life’s 268-page study released Monday.

The study also found 59 percent of Americans believe in hell, 68 percent believe angels and demons are active in the world and 70 percent believe miracles “still occur today as they did in ancient times.”

Although Americans seem to embrace similar religious concepts, they remain open-minded about different religions. “More than two-thirds of adults affiliated with a religious tradition agree that there is more than one true way to interpret the teachings of their faith, a pattern that occurs in nearly all traditions,” the study concluded, based on 35,000 different interviews.

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About The Author
Amanda Carpenter is the author of “The Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy's Dossier on Hillary Clinton,” published in October 2006.
 
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Reply # 1
Date: Jun 26, 2008 - 8:58 PM EST
ReckinHavic
Totally agree with you on that the faith is intelligent - very intelligent, but to argue to try to convince hints at I think what Paul says of many in our day "Ever learning, but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth." (2 Tim 3:7)

In modern scripture, the Lord expounds on this concept by posing a challenging question to authorized missionaries:

"Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question - unto what were ye ordained?

To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth

Verily I say unto you, he that is ordained of me and sent forth to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the Spirit of truth, doth he preach it by the Spirit of truth, or some other way?

And if it be by some other way it is not of God. And again, he that receiveth the word of truth, doth he receive it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?

If it be by some other way, it is not of God.

And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness."

So, I take that to mean even if what you say is gospel truth, if it’s not taught by the Spirit it is not of God. I think that is where we fall down often – among ourselves, and with unbelievers – we quickly move to use argument, reason, data, etc. But it does not edify, and it does not convert, at least that has been my experience. Only the Spirit converts, and the Spirit comes most often through testimony. But like you I love the scriptures, both ancient and modern, and it brings the Spirit of the Lord powerfully.
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Reply # 2
Date: Jun 25, 2008 - 11:50 PM EST
Freedom
I agree. If you look at Peter and others they were not learned men, one of the reasons they were so effective. People were astonished by their words, probably not realizing they were bein led by the Spirit.

I really like the Scripture you referred to. And, it affirms the point you made about bein a living witness. Certainly we are through our actions.

For me (and I'm sure you as well) Scripture brings me closer to Him. It really is a Living Word. Probably why I try to defend it.

RE: the OT bein a stumbling block, you're right here as well. Certainly Paul spoke about this to the Jews often.

I do realize the difficulty of explaining faith to non-Believers. And their "fairy-tale" remarks do get old. I know it really irks alot of Christians (oh, I've had my moments). But He reminds me to not (or atleast try not to) judge others because of their lack of faith. I do remember how and who I was prior to salvation (so who am I too judge).

But I do also think Christianity can be argued out. That is, I believe ours is an intelligent faith.

Feel free to comment at Reck's Blog
http://recksblog.blogtownhall.com/
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