Most Americans Believe In Hell, Few Expect To Go There

WLKY ^ | 3/3/3 | AP

[hoosierskypilot]

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- More than two-thirds of adult Americans believe in hell, but only 1 percent expect to go there.

That's according to a new Harris poll, which also found that 90 percent of adult Americans believe in God and 82 percent believe in heaven. And most said that's where they expect to spend eternity.

More than one-fourth of those surveyed said they believe in reincarnation, and over half said they believe in ghosts.

[hoosierskypilot]

A Gallup poll indicated 97% of Americans believe in God and Jesus Christ (as God's son), but only 17% said it made any difference in the way they lived.

[jjm2111]

With regards to hell, how many truly evil people do you know?

[Gerfang]

It would seem to me that people are apt to believe that which benefits them the most.

[Puppage]

Just one....BILL KLINTON

[stuartcr]

If the definition of hell is eternal punishment and suffering, on a limitless, universal level, what can a human that lives for 70-90 yrs possibly do that would warrant this kind of punishment?

[Blood of Tyrants]

It takes only one sin to condemn you.

[usurper]

I know that hell exists, I spent 4 years in Fresno.

[Lee Heggy]

Take away the devil and Paulianity sort of folds up on itself. I could never understand why the Devil would punish the souls of those who love him to reward a God that he hates. Neither Heaven or Hell makes much sense to me.

[Carpet Kitten]

Allow me to introduce you to my old boss sometime. Truely evil people don't have to be murderers. I see a truely evil person as somebody who takes pleasure in the misfortune of others. A lot of people I know fit that bill.

[TommyDale]

These people may be in for a BIG surprise. Sort of like the radical Muslims who expect their 70 virgins.

[aardvark1]

Offend an infinitely holy God.

[davisfh]

There's an old joke that asks, "What's the difference in
northern Baptists and southern Baptists?" And the answer is,
"Northern Baptists say, 'there is no hell.' Southern Baptists
say, 'The hell there isn't.'"

[ClearCase_guy]

A Gallup poll indicated 97% of Americans believe in God and Jesus Christ (as God's son), but only 17% said it made any difference in the way they lived.

This is more evidence that statistics just lead to muddled thinking. 25% of the people believe in reincarnation (a non-Christian concept), yet 97% believe in God and Jesus Christ as God's son. Hmmmmmm.

Additionally, I believe that 2% of the population is Jewish and therefore unlikely to put much stock in Jesus as the Son of God. Let's see, 97 + 2 = 99%. Not much room left for Hindus, Moslem, atheists, or Buddhists.

Bottom line: most humans do not think very deeply about religious topics and give quick answers which do not truly reflect their actual beliefs or practices.

[jjm2111]

And one beg of forgiveness to save you. I could alternately be going to heaven or hell many times in one day (theoretically).

[k2blader]

Sad...

I think a lot of people believe the ultimate lie that "being good" or "doing good things" will save them.

Or maybe they think once the physical body dies, that's it.

[jjm2111]

"Allow me to introduce you to my old boss sometime. Truely evil people don't have to be murderers. I see a truely evil person as somebody who takes pleasure in the misfortune of others. A lot of people I know fit that bill. "

I believe you. But that's just it. I know maybe a handful of truly evil people. None of them are murderers, they are evil within the law.

[Dont Mention the War]

This thread already reminds me of the South Park episode where practically everyone ends up in Hell when they die, because it turns out that only the Mormons worship God correctly.

[jjm2111]

"Bottom line: most humans do not think very deeply about religious topics and give quick answers which do not truly reflect their actual beliefs or practices. "

Or people amalgamate relgions, like the Christian who goes to church yet practices Zen meditiation.

[Pahuanui]

Bottom line: most humans do not think very deeply about religious topics and give quick answers which do not truly reflect their actual beliefs or practices.

Or the methodology of these polls is crap.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Then apparently you are not a Christian. The Christian belief says that if you are once saved, you are always saved. You will still sin, however, but the Bible firmly states that those sins are already forgiven. The apostle Paul also sternly reminds us that guaranteed salvation is NOT a license to sin.