Barna probes views on heaven & hell_110303

Posted: 10/31/03

Barna probes views on heaven & hell

VENTURA, Calif. (RNS)–About three-fourths of Americans believe in heaven and hell, but almost one-fourth say they have “no idea” what will happen after they die, a study by the Barna Research Group shows.

Researchers found 76 percent of respondents believe heaven exists and 71 percent believe there is a hell.

Forty-six percent of respondents said they would describe heaven as “a state of eternal existence in God's presence” while 30 percent said it is “an actual place of rest and reward where souls go after death.” Fourteen percent said heaven is “symbolic,” 5 percent said they did not believe in life after death, and 5 percent were uncertain.

Thirty-nine percent of respondents said hell is “a state of eternal separation from God's presence” while 32 percent said it is “an actual place of torment and suffering where people's souls go after death.” Thirteen percent said hell is “just a symbol of an unknown bad outcome after death.” Sixteen percent said they were uncertain or did not believe in an afterlife.

Just half of 1 percent of adults said they expect to go to hell when they die, while 64 percent predicted they will end up in heaven.

But researchers found many were not so sure of their post-death destination. Twenty-four percent said they have “no idea” what will happen after they die.

Other highlights:

Less than half the people who think they are heaven-bound (43 percent) believe they will get there because they have “confessed their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior.” Another 15 percent believe they will get to heaven because they have tried to obey the Ten Commandments, while an additional 15 percent believe they will get to heaven by being a “good person.” Only 6 percent of those who believe they are bound for heaven think they'll get there because God “loves all people and will not let them perish.”

Income and education are negatively correlated with belief in heaven and hell. The more education people get or the more income they earn, the less likely they are to believe heaven and hell exist.

Nearly one in five adults believes people are reincarnated after death.

Americans report contradictory beliefs about the afterlife. Even among those who say they personally will get to heaven solely because they have confessed their sins and are depending on Jesus Christ, 50 percent believe others may get to heaven on good works.