THE HARRIS POLL #41, August 12, 1998
LARGE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE BELIEVE THEY WILL GO TO HEAVEN; ONLY ONE IN FIFTY THINKS THEY WILL GO TO HELL
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A paradox: Many Christians and Non-Christians believe in Astrology, ghosts and reincarnation
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by Humphrey Taylor
Most Americans are optimistic about their long-term future -- they think they will go to heaven. Fully 84% of all adults say that they believe in the survival of the soul after death and, of these, three-quarters (76%) expect to go to heaven. This represents 64% of the total population. Only 2% of those who believe in life after death expect to go to hell, while 4% think they will go to purgatory. The survey produces several surprising findings about what some self-styled Christians believe and -- even more surprising -- what some non-Christian believe.
are the results of a Harris Poll of 1,011 adults surveyed between July 17 and 21, 1998.
Almost all self-styled Christians believe in God (99%), the resurrection of Christ (96%), and the Virgin birth (91%) -- beliefs that are central to Christianity. What is more surprising is that many people who say they are not Christians believe in the resurrection of Christ (49%), and the Virgin birth of Jesus (47%).
Among the population as a whole, the survey found that:
- 94% of adults believe in God;
- 89% believe in heaven;
- 73% believe in the Devil; and
- 73% believe in hell.
When it comes to beliefs which are not part of mainstream Christianity, Judaism or Islam, substantial minorities of the public believe in astrology (37%), ghosts (35%), and reincarnation -- that they were once another person (23%). A surprisingly large minority of Christians (22%) believe they have been reincarnated even though this clearly conflicts with traditional Christian dogma.
Humphrey Taylor is the Chairman of Louis Harris & Associates, Inc.
TABLE 1
BELIEF IN GOD, AND OTHER SUPERNATURAL FORCES,
PLACES AND EVENTS
"I will read you a list of things some people believe in. Please say for each one if you believe in it, or not."
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ALL ADULTS |
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1994 % |
July 1998 % |
All Christians % |
All Non- Christians % |
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God |
95 |
94 |
99 |
69 |
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Heaven |
90 |
89 |
96 |
57 |
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The resurrection of Christ |
87 |
88 |
96 |
49 |
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Survival of the soul after death |
84 |
84 |
90 |
60 |
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Miracles |
81 |
86 |
90 |
66 |
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The Virgin birth (Jesus born |
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|
|
|
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of Mary) |
78 |
83 |
91 |
47 |
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The devil |
72 |
73 |
79 |
40 |
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Hell |
71 |
73 |
80 |
40 |
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Astrology |
37 |
37 |
37 |
37 |
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Ghosts |
36 |
35 |
34 |
41 |
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Reincarnation (that you were |
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|
|
|
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once another person) |
N/A |
23 |
22 |
32 |
TABLE 2
SELF-DESCRIBED AS CHRISTIANS
"Would you describe yourself as a Christian or not?"
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Total % |
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Described self as Christian |
83 |
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Not a Christian |
16 |
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Don’t know/Refused |
1 |
TABLE 3
WHERE WILL YOU GO WHEN YOU DIE?
Base: Those who believe in survival of soul after death (84%)
"When you die where do you think you will go -- heaven, hell, purgatory or somewhere else?"
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Total % |
Yes % |
No % |
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Heaven |
76 |
79 |
48 |
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Hell |
2 |
1 |
6 |
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Purgatory |
4 |
5 |
2 |
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Somewhere else |
12 |
9 |
35 |
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Don’t know/Refused |
6 |
6 |
9 |
Methodology
This Harris Poll was conducted by telephone within the United States between July 17 to 21, among a nationwide cross section of 1,011adults. Figures for age, sex, race, education, number of adults and number of voice/telephone lines in the household were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population.
In theory, with a sample of this size, one can say with 95 percent certainty that the results have a statistical precision of plus or minus 3 percentage points of what they would be if the entire adult population had been polled with complete accuracy. Unfortunately, there are several other possible sources of error in all polls or surveys that are probably more serious than theoretical calculations of sampling error. They include refusals to be interviewed (non-response), question wording and question order, interviewer bias, weighting by demographic control data and screening (e.g., for likely voters). It is difficult or impossible to quantify the errors that may result from these factors.
These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.
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