WASHINGTON (RNS) — Many Americans no longer see heaven as an exclusive destination, according to a new survey from Baylor University.
When researchers polled U.S. adults about who — and how many — will get into heaven, 54 percent of respondents said at least half of average Americans will make it through the Pearly Gates.
More than a quarter of those surveyed — 29 percent — said they had no opinion about the fate of the average American, a figure that mirrored those who thought “half or more” of nonreligious people would make it into heaven.
Researchers found 72 percent of respondents said at least half of Christians will make it into heaven, but the figures were lower for other faiths — Jews at 46 percent, Buddhists at 37 percent and Muslims at 34 percent.
The study, based on data collected last fall, also revealed that while 11 percent of the national sample said they had “no religion,” they may not correctly be termed “irreligious.”
Researchers found 20 percent of those reporting “no religion” said they have attended church, 56 percent said they had prayed, and 32 percent said they prayed “several times a week or more.”
Among other findings, the survey showed:
•Widows and widowers are some of the biggest tithers, with 17.6 percent giving 10 percent or more of their income to the church, compared to 8.6 percent of nonwidowed people.
•People attending mega-churches — with more than 1,000 in the congregation — are more likely to tithe, attend worship services weekly and believe heaven and hell “absolutely” exist.
•Worshippers who attend stricter churches — those tending to differ from secular society on issues such as abortion and homosexual behavior — are more likely to tithe, attend worship services weekly and share their faith with others than people who attend less strict churches.