Few Americans Are Atheists

According to two university researchers (see previous blog "God--According to Most Americans"), the first belief about God common among Americans is, "A god exists who created and ordered the world and watches over human life on Earth." Does this square with the book Jesus constantly referred to as God's Word (the Bible)?

It sure does. The Bible assumes that God exists. It never argues for his existence. The first Words of the Bible are "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1) The Bible assumes that there is a God, and it states flatly that he made everything that is.

The Bible also affirms that God has not turned his attention elsewhere and forgotten about life on earth. Rather, he is infinitely focused on what happens to everything on our planet. Jesus said, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered." (Matthew 10:29-30) The Psalmist wrote about the Lord, "You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing."

So, Americans, great start! One warning, though. Don't stop there. Many people believe that believing in God is all that God requires of us. The Bible says, "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder." (James 2:19) In other words, even the devil himself and all his demons believe in God, but they are shaking in their boots at what awaits them in the future. So believing in God is a nice start, but it's only a start.

More about other common American beliefs about God in future blogs. Prepare for some myth-busting.