I Guess I’m Not Alone
Mar 19th, 2009 by Mark Lefers
As you may have heard, there was a recent survey that looked at American’s religious identity. This survey showed an increase in unbelievers.
The percentage of Americans claiming no religion, which jumped from 8.2 in 1990 to 14.2 in 2001, has now increased to 15 percent. Given the estimated growth of the American adult population since the last census from 207 million to 228 million, that reflects an additional 4.7 million “Nones.”
A different question regarding the existence of God had other interesting results:
I’m not sure how I feel about this data. It’s said that misery loves company, but I don’t think I’ve gained comfort knowing that millions of other Americans also suffer from doubt. In fact, it’s probably more discouraging, since there appears to be more and more people loosing their faith. Is this just a progression of a modern society or a result of a sinful nation? Will humans eventually give up on religion or is it ingrained in society? Another thing I’ve been thinking about in reflecting on the brevity of life is that this survey points to a significant large number of people who die still struggling to know whether or not God exist. I am so tired of doubting. . .
Doubting is exhausting. I guess I applied the Christian cliche “Let go, and let God”. I cast of my struggles with doubt and said “I’m here, God, if you want to reach me, you know where I am.”
I guess I finally figured that if God exists and he wants me, he knows what I need to believe.
Mike,
What do you need to believe?
I God exists, only he knows. I think I would need actual experience and evidence combined, but have no idea what form those would take.
That should read “If God exists”