There are many theological reasons why we should be sharing our faith over Christmas: (1) the power of the gospel; (2) our obedience to Christ; (3) the fate of those who have not placed their faith in Jesus, just to name a few.
Our culture is ready to hear of Christ over Christmas
But today, I want to encourage us from a recent study on religious beliefs in America that most people are open to talking about God, religion, and personal beliefs. Not only is there great openness to spiritual conversations, but the survey reveals even greater confusion and contradiction in religious beliefs and therefore a great opportunity for us to share the truth about Christ. Many people we know will be celebrating Christmas this season while not having genuine faith in Christ. This Christmas, we have a great opportunity to bear witness to Jesus Christ.U.S. Religious Landscape Survey
In February 2008 the Pew Foundation issued a report on the diversity of religious beliefs and practices in the United States. In their U.S. Religious Landscape Survey the Pew Foundation polled more than 35,000 Americans. I have taken my statistics from their Summary of Key Findings report.
I have highlighted seven statistics on religious beliefs in America and seven corresponding reasons that these statistics should make us all the more eager to share our faith.
- More than nine-in-ten Americans (92%) believe in the existence of God or a universal spirit. This is amazing. Most people in America believe God exists. This should give us great confidence to talk about the God who created the heavens and the earth and who sent His Son to redeem a people for His very own.
- While roughly seven-in-ten Americans say they are absolutely certain of God’s existence, more than one-in-five (22%) are less certain in their belief. This tells us that this group of people is searching for the truth. They believe in God but their not certain their beliefs about God are true.
- Most Americans agree with the statement that many religions – not just their own – can lead to eternal life. On the one hand, this encourages us to speak about the exclusivity of Jesus Christ, while on the other hand it reminds us to speak in a way that is truthful without giving them reason to label us intolerant.
- Members of mainline Protestant churches and Catholics are less likely to see the importance of religion in their lives, certainty of belief in God and frequency of attendance at church services. This demographic represents a large constituency of Southeast Wisconsin and Northeastern Illinois. This gives us the opportunity for us to testify to the difference those beliefs and practices have made in our individual lives.
- A large portion (41%) of those not affiliated with a religious tradition say that religion is at least somewhat important in their lives, seven-in-ten say they believe in God and more than a quarter (27%) say they attend religious services at least a few times a year. There are many people who are religious, believe in God, and infrequently attend church and who need to connect with someone from CrossWay.
- One-in-five people who identify themselves as atheists (21%) and a majority of those who identify themselves as agnostic (55%) express a belief in God or a universal spirit. Though that statistic in itself is confusing, it gives us great reason to continue a conversation with those who claim God does not exist or doesn’t care.
- Most Americans (74%) believe in life after death, with an equal number saying they believe in the existence of heaven as a place where people who have led good lives are eternally rewarded. This is a great opportunity to ask them if they are going to heaven, if they have been good enough for heaven, and to tell them of the grace of a holy God towards those who only deserve His wrath.
There were many more encouraging statistics about those who practice some form of devotions, or pray, or serve in their congregations that should make it easy for us to transition to spiritual conversations this Christmas.
