REVrant 38.9 - Americans Believe "In Everything"

Survey Shows U.S. Religious Tolerance - NYTimes.com.

I’ve received several emails today directing my attention to the recently released U.S Religious Landscape Survey conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.  Get this; although a majority of Americans say religion is “very important” to them, nearly three-quarters of them say they believe that many faiths besides their own can lead to salvation.  70% of Americans affiliated with a religion or denomination say they agree that, ”Many religions can lead to eternal life.”  And this statistic shook me to the core – 57% of EVANGELICALS agreed with the statement!

“It’s not that Americans don’t believe in anything,” said Michael Lindsay, assistant director of the Center on Race, Religion and Urban Life at Rice University. “It’s that we believe in everything. We aren’t religious purists or dogmatists.”

I’ve been warning our church family that this is the direction of our culture for the past few years.  John 14:6 not withstanding, the idea that Jesus is the “only way,” is quickly fading as a majority view, even among evangelicals!  This is shocking.  I used to wonder about the provocative Biblical question regarding the return of Jesus – “Will He find faith when He comes?”  The more I see and hear, the more I’m convinced that the number of true believers is shrinking…rapidly!

Matthew 24:10–11 – a great text on signs of the “end of the age” – came to mind as I read the linked article; “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.”   We’re seeing it!

Comments

[jack carey]

Pastor....my dear brother in Christ Jesus---may our Lord always bless, direct, care for, and speak through you and your marriage, and His calling upon you.
I am saddened too by this Pew report. I ran across your blog today as I looked for some thinking on belief in a literal devil...another issue where so many people no longer subscribe to The Bible's statements.
Please know that in my spirit, I pray for you and your family and your church family as you stand in the gap for Lord Jesus as TRUTH and LOVE. --brotherjack

[Mark]

"John 14:6 not withstanding, the idea that Jesus is the 'only way,' is quickly fading as a majority view, even among evangelicals!"

Which would make Jesus a complete fool (forgive me, Lord, for even suggesting it!).

It's the difference between these two scenes:

Scene 1- Jesus in the garden
"Father, if there's any way this cup can pass from me, please let it be so. But it's not what I want, but what You want that matters." And then Jesus begins the series of events that ends up with Him dying on the cross.

Scene 2- Jesus in the same garden
"Father, if there's any way this cup can pass from me, please let it be so. What's that? You say there IS another way to take care of their sin problem? Wait...you mean there are SEVERAL ways to fix the mess they're in? Well great! I'm pleased to hear they have options. They're all about choice, after all. Me? No, I'm fine. I know it's not really necessary now to stick with our original plan, but I think I'm just going to go ahead and see it through. Yes, I know, it's going to hurt a lot and that I'm going to be on the receiving end of Man's worst, but I'll just go ahead and finish what I started. That way I can be one of those options they'll choose from and I can start my own religion." And then Jesus begins the series of events that ends up with Him dying on the cross.

[chris cannon]

Wow......When I was calling around at different nursing homes for a permanent position I ran across a christian science nursing home.We spoke for quite a while.she was telling what they think and I was witnessing to her. I was so reminded of what Pastor Bill has said at times in his sermons.WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?? I was so dumbfounded. Thanks again Pastor Bill for speaking the truth in love.

[Jim C]

Sadly true...There is a good radio sermon on Charles Stanley's website called, "How To End Well."