[D6b2v1HA]

America remains a nation of believers, but a new survey finds most Americans don't feel their religion is the only way to eternal life - even if their faith tradition teaches otherwise.

The findings, revealed Monday in a survey of 35,000 adults, can either be taken as a positive sign of growing religious tolerance, or disturbing evidence that Americans dismiss or don't know fundamental teachings of their own faiths.

Among the more startling numbers in the survey, conducted last year by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life: 57 percent of evangelical church attenders said they believe many religions can lead to eternal life, in conflict with traditional evangelical teaching.

In all, 70 percent of Americans with a religious affiliation shared that view, and 68 percent said there is more than one true way to interpret the teachings of their own religion.

"The survey shows religion in America is, indeed, 3,000 miles wide and only three inches deep," said D. Michael Lindsay, a Rice University sociologist of religion.

"There's a growing pluralistic impulse toward tolerance and that is having theological consequences," he said.

But, there could be a flip-size to the results, suggests Father Thomas Williams, a professor of theology and a CBS News Analyst.

"I think that organized religion could find this also a little bit threatening in the sense when dogma and doctrine become less and less important, it doesn't matter belonging to one church or another," Williams said on the CBS Evening News.

Earlier data from the Pew Forum's U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, released in February, highlighted how often Americans switch religious affiliation. The newly released material looks at religious belief and practice as well as the impact of religion on society, including how faith shapes political views.

The report argues that while relatively few people - 14 percent - cite religious beliefs as the main influence on their political thinking, religion still plays a powerful indirect role.

The study confirmed some well-known political dynamics, including stark divisions over abortion and gay marriage, with the more religiously committed taking conservative views on the issues.

But it also showed support across religious lines for greater governmental aid for the poor, even if it means more debt and stricter environmental laws and regulations.

By many measures, Americans are strongly religious: 92 percent believe in God, 74 percent believe in life after death and 63 percent say their respective scriptures are the word of God.

According to the survey, one in four Roman Catholics, mainline Protestants and Orthodox Christians expressed some doubts about God's existence, as did six in ten Jews.
But deeper investigation found that more than one in four Roman Catholics, mainline Protestants and Orthodox Christians expressed some doubts about God's existence, as did six in ten Jews.

Another finding almost defies explanation: 21 percent of self-identified atheists said they believe in God or a universal spirit, with 8 percent "absolutely certain" of it.

"Many people who identify as atheists may not be telling us they don't believe in God, they may be telling us they don’t like organized religion," Pew senior fellow John Green told CBS Radio News.

"Look, this shows the limits of a survey approach to religion," said Peter Berger, a theology and sociology professor at Boston University. "What do people really mean when they say that many religions lead to eternal life? It might mean they don't believe their particular truth at all. Others might be saying, 'We believe a truth but respect other people, and they are not necessarily going to hell."'

At Saint Alban's Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., members of a weekly bible study class agree - their path to heaven is not the only path.

"It is impossible for me to believe that Christ is the only window for salvation," member Claudia Upper told CBS News correspondent Chip Reid.

Luis Lugo, director of the Pew Forum, said that more research is planned to answer those kinds of questions, but that earlier, smaller surveys found similar results.

Nearly across the board, the majority of religious Americans believe many religions can lead to eternal life: mainline Protestants (83 percent), members of historic black Protestant churches (59 percent), Roman Catholics (79 percent), Jews (82 percent) and Muslims (56 percent).

By similar margins, people in those faith groups believe in multiple interpretations of their own traditions' teachings. Yet 44 percent of the religiously affiliated also said their religion should preserve its traditional beliefs and practices.

"What most people are saying is, 'Hey, we don't have a hammer-lock on God or salvation, and God's bigger than us and we should respect that and respect other people,"' said the Rev. Tom Reese, a senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University.

"Some people are like butterflies that go from flower to flower, going from religion to religion - and frankly they don't get that deep into any of them," he said.

Beliefs about eternal life vary greatly, even within a religious tradition.

Some Christians hold strongly to Jesus' words as described in John 14:6: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Others emphasize the wideness of God's grace.

The Catholic church teaches that the "one church of Christ ... subsists in the Catholic Church" alone and that Protestant churches, while defective, can be "instruments of salvation."

Roger Oldham, a vice president with the executive committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, bristled at using the word "tolerance" in the analysis.

"If by tolerance we mean we're willing to engage or embrace a multitude of ways to salvation, that's no longer evangelical belief," he said. "The word 'evangelical' has been stretched so broadly, it's almost an elastic term."

Others welcomed the findings.

"It shows increased religious security. People are comfortable with other traditions even if they're different," said the Rev. C. Welton Gaddy, president of the Interfaith Alliance. "It indicates a level of humility about religion that would be of great benefit to everyone."

More than most groups, Catholics break with their church, and not just on issues like abortion and homosexuality. Only six in 10 Catholics described God as "a person with whom people can have a relationship" - which the church teaches - while three in 10 described God as an "impersonal force."

"The statistics show, more than anything else, that many who describe themselves as Catholics do not know or understand the teachings of their church," said Denver Roman Catholic Archbishop Charles Chaput. "Being Catholic means believing what the Catholic church teaches. It is a communion of faith, not simply of ancestry and family tradition. It also means that the church ought to work harder at evangelizing its own members."

[strmini]

I remember on Sundays the RC church
had masses on Sunday starting the
milkman shift and finishing at 1 P.M.
Each mass was packed to almost
standing room only. I don't believe
that today they can boast of such a
large active congregation since the 70's

Given the weddings that those of us who
belong to the ULC(& other similar churches)
officiate is a sign of the times; That people
want spirituality over organized religion.

[Mjypksun]

America remains a nation of believers, but a new survey finds most Americans don't feel their religion is the only way to eternal life - even if their faith tradition teaches otherwise.

I agree. Most folks will tell you that in a conversation. I think it's also part of the reason most of my friends come to me for spiritual help, instead of going to one of the 7 churches here in town.

Among the more startling numbers in the survey, conducted last year by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life: 57 percent of evangelical church attenders said they believe many religions can lead to eternal life, in conflict with traditional evangelical teaching.

In all, 70 percent of Americans with a religious affiliation shared that view, and 68 percent said there is more than one true way to interpret the teachings of their own religion.

The most important word here is "interpret." Could it be possible that Americans are thinking for themselves? [sarcasm]Surely not.[/sarcasm]

"The survey shows religion in America is, indeed, 3,000 miles wide and only three inches deep," said D. Michael Lindsay, a Rice University sociologist of religion.

Your average believer is not a theologian. People want hope, and something to put their faith in. Not college classes. Those who do dig in deep end up like us (ULCIT).

Could it be possible that people don't dig in as deeply because something about most religions end's up turning them off?

"There's a growing pluralistic impulse toward tolerance and that is having theological consequences," he said.

Heh. I'd have to say vice versa (in both ways) as well Mr. Lindsay, and it's been that way since the birth of Moses.

But, there could be a flip-size to the results, suggests Father Thomas Williams, a professor of theology and a CBS News Analyst.

"I think that organized religion could find this also a little bit threatening in the sense when dogma and doctrine become less and less important, it doesn't matter belonging to one church or another," Williams said on the CBS Evening News.

Good. Make religion about God and spirit, instead of power over large groups of people.

The report argues that while relatively few people - 14 percent - cite religious beliefs as the main influence on their political thinking, religion still plays a powerful indirect role.

The study confirmed some well-known political dynamics, including stark divisions over abortion and gay marriage, with the more religiously committed taking conservative views on the issues.

But it also showed support across religious lines for greater governmental aid for the poor, even if it means more debt and stricter environmental laws and regulations.

Uh, religion had a large hand in the creation of cultures, ethics, politics, and science. What makes us think it doesn't have a part in it now?

According to the survey, one in four Roman Catholics, mainline Protestants and Orthodox Christians expressed some doubts about God's existence, as did six in ten Jews.

People question their faith. That's how it grows and evolves.

Another finding almost defies explanation: 21 percent of self-identified atheists said they believe in God or a universal spirit, with 8 percent "absolutely certain" of it.

"Many people who identify as atheists may not be telling us they don't believe in God, they may be telling us they don’t like organized religion," Pew senior fellow John Green told CBS Radio News.

I've seen this a lot. It's nothing more than taking a name to use where you don't have a word for what you believe.

"Look, this shows the limits of a survey approach to religion," said Peter Berger, a theology and sociology professor at Boston University. "What do people really mean when they say that many religions lead to eternal life? It might mean they don't believe their particular truth at all. Others might be saying, 'We believe a truth but respect other people, and they are not necessarily going to hell."'

In the end, the message is clear: "I don't know for sure, even though I act like it. And neither does anyone else."

At Saint Alban's Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., members of a weekly bible study class agree - their path to heaven is not the only path.

"It is impossible for me to believe that Christ is the only window for salvation," member Claudia Upper told CBS News correspondent Chip Reid.

Someone give Ms. Upper a Medal.

We are created in the likeness of the creative source. Regardless of your specific religion or sect, that is nearly a universal truth. That would mean God is Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Satanist; Brown, Yellow, Red, Black; man, woman, child, mother, father; lover, healer, rapist, murderer...

Don't think so? Dig in.

"What most people are saying is, 'Hey, we don't have a hammer-lock on God or salvation, and God's bigger than us and we should respect that and respect other people,"' said the Rev. Tom Reese, a senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University.

No, what people are saying is, 'Hey, we believe we don't have a hammer-lock on God or salvation, and God's universally bigger than us and we must respect that and respect other people,"'

"Some people are like butterflies that go from flower to flower, going from religion to religion - and frankly they don't get that deep into any of them," he said.

And I don't eat spaghetti for dinner every night. So what?

Beliefs about eternal life vary greatly, even within a religious tradition.

Some Christians hold strongly to Jesus' words as described in John 14:6: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Others emphasize the wideness of God's grace.

The same book also says to treat your slaves well, and that means your wifes too. Interpretation is the word again here.

"It shows increased religious security. People are comfortable with other traditions even if they're different," said the Rev. C. Welton Gaddy, president of the Interfaith Alliance. "It indicates a level of humility about religion that would be of great benefit to everyone."

Humility in religion?!?!?!?! WHO'D A THUNK IT!!!!!

"The statistics show, more than anything else, that many who describe themselves as Catholics do not know or understand the teachings of their church," said Denver Roman Catholic Archbishop Charles Chaput. "Being Catholic means believing what the Catholic church teaches. It is a communion of faith, not simply of ancestry and family tradition. It also means that the church ought to work harder at evangelizing its own members."

Therein lies the problem Archbishop. People want to believe what GOD teaches, not a church.

[DailyRingtone]

Thread killer.

[Hankie]

Sorry.

[drugsprevi]

Religion plays a very impotant part in my life. I strongly believe the essential teachings of my religion (Sanatana Veda Dharma), but I reject those things that have crept into my religion thgoughout the centuries that have no fundamental value (example: the caste system has value, but not in a hereditary manner). I do not believe that my religion has the sole monopoly over spiritual truths, I believe that every religious path has the capacity to take its followers to the state of spiritual enlightenment or salvation.

Hermano Luis

[jeraveike]

And that's exactly how it should be, IMO.
I'd be willing to bet that you feel that way because you are looking for personal spiritual growth, not another human to tell you 'how it is'.
Am I correct?

[Sheestgag]

"I think that organized religion could find this also a little bit threatening in the sense when dogma and doctrine become less and less important, it doesn't matter belonging to one church or another," Williams said on the CBS Evening News. It's about time that more people in America realized the need for something other than the Dogmatic style of mainstream religions, and are willing to accept others, maybe someday that will apply equally as well to Wicca.

[Sheelldaw]

People only "want" spirituality because its the newest thing and they think it'll be better than the years of religion, that it'll magically heal the world's problems in a way religions haven't been able to. This is nonsense. Thankfully, spirituality is too decentralized to merit much religious warfare, but that doesn't mean plenty else won't go in the form of greed warfare.

To respond, yes I'm American and yes I hold my religion in esteem to the exclusion of all others. My religion is the only way I see fit to live my life, the only worthwhile way.

I'm not going to kill someone over that, or die for it (that would be an insult to my religion), but thats who I am.

[mArVHDO6]

People only "want" spirituality because its the newest thing and they think it'll be better than the years of religion, that it'll magically heal the world's problems in a way religions haven't been able to. This is nonsense. Thankfully, spirituality is too decentralized to merit much religious warfare, but that doesn't mean plenty else won't go in the form of greed warfare.

First off, you might just be right. But that doesn't make it wrong. Centuries of trying something can make a person want something new. When there is a chance to try a 'new' angle when investigating an issue, staying with the old and many times defeated way is idiocy.

Secondly, spirituality is what gave birth to religion. It's what existed before stupid humans decided to codify rules about what and how to believe, and it's existed ever since.

And therein lies both the problem and the solution.
There is no reason to tell another what to 'believe.'
By the very nature of 'belief', nothing 'believed in' is provable or disprovable.

That is why it is better to 'believe' what you choose, while continuing to investigate and find facts that will help us answer the biggest questions man has ever asked. And in so doing, keeping in mind that no matter what you believe, you're probably wrong; and as new knowledge is obtained, facts can change, completing a bigger and better picture.

And before anyone decides to tell me that there are no facts when is comes to the nature of 'God' etc etc, here's one: I don't know for sure, and neither do you.

That, my dear friends, IS a fact.

[KlaraNovikoffa]

I agree with what you said Greyface. I just don't see this "new spirituality" as much more than another trend. The people who were there to begin with will stay there. Some others will come along, play at it, and then find some other identity label.

[Logaleta]

First off, you might just be right. But that doesn't make it wrong. Centuries of trying something can make a person want something new. When there is a chance to try a 'new' angle when investigating an issue, staying with the old and many times defeated way is idiocy.

Secondly, spirituality is what gave birth to religion. It's what existed before stupid humans decided to codify rules about what and how to believe, and it's existed ever since.

And therein lies both the problem and the solution.
There is no reason to tell another what to 'believe.'
By the very nature of 'belief', nothing 'believed in' is provable or disprovable.

That is why it is better to 'believe' what you choose, while continuing to investigate and find facts that will help us answer the biggest questions man has ever asked. And in so doing, keeping in mind that no matter what you believe, you're probably wrong; and as new knowledge is obtained, facts can change, completing a bigger and better picture.

And before anyone decides to tell me that there are no facts when is comes to the nature of 'God' etc etc, here's one: I don't know for sure, and neither do you.

That, my dear friends, IS a fact.

Very well said. Thank you!

Hermano Luis
Moriviví Hermitage