This section discusses public opinion poll findings about the actual beliefs
of U.S. adults. They often differ markedly from the teachings of their own
denominations.
Much of the data in this section comes from the Barna Research
Group. During polling, Barna asks its subjects to identify themselves as "born
again" or "Evangelical." Barna has adopted certain definitions:
A "born again Christian" is a subject who said that
"they have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is
still important in their life today and who also indicated they believe
that when they die they will go to Heaven because they had confessed their
sins and had accepted Jesus Christ as their savior."
"Evangelicals" are subjects who met the "born
again" criteria, and who state that "their faith
is very important in their life today;...they have a personal
responsibility to share their religious beliefs about Christ with
non-Christians; ...Satan exists; ...eternal salvation is possible only
through grace, not works; ... Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth;
...God [is]...the all-knowing, all-powerful, perfect deity who created the
universe and still rules it today."More information on
definitions of the word "Evangelical."
