A new wide-ranging Neilson poll on the Religious beliefs of Australians has just been published. More info here: http://www.smh.com.au/national/our-faith-today-20091218-l5w6.html Here are some highlights and comparisons: Code: PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE Belief Australia USA ======================================================== God exists 68 92 God does not exist 30 8 Life after death 53 80 Heaven 56 86 Hell 38 74 The Devil 37 59 Angels 51 68 Miracles 63 79 Witches 22 UFOs 34 36 Astrology 41 25 ESP 49 Holy Book is word of God 34 80 Holy Book is literal truth 27 One correct interpretation of scripture 21 Genesis Creationism 23 Evolution guided by God 32 Evolution by natural selection 42 14
So they are more skeptical about Abrahamic conceptions but are more open to astrology. Probably all those southern constellations.
i thought the same thing actually, less god and more UFO'sPlease Register or Log in to view the hidden image! James i wonder when this was actually carried out, specifically the section on Miracles may well have been infuenced by timing. Specifically the calls for sainthood for Mary McCalup. It seems that with a second miracle just having been atributed to her (rather than the more rational explination that the persons immune system finally started attacking the cancer) this may have come more out of the woodwork as a form of patitism almost
oh BTW i wonder why there is no numbers listed for creationisum for the US, its nice to know how many athiests there are (14% aparently and 42% in Australia) but the second option sort of blurs the whole issue. If your rational and you belive in god then option 2 is the one your going to chose if you dont belive in god its option 3 but if your a compleate loon you chose option 1 so we oviously have 23% loons here. How many in the US?
Which could explain this sudden desire from our Opposition leader.. http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,26506144-952,00.html
From the same poll, here's what Australian Christians believe: Code: Belief Christian General population ======================================================================== God exists 100 68 God does not exist 0 30 God is a personal god 50 Christ was a historical figure 94 Christ was the son of God 91 Virgin birth 72 Christ rose from the dead 85 Witches 35 22 UFOs 32 34 Astrology 44 41 ESP 52 49 Holy Book is word of God 58 34 Holy Book is literal truth 25 27 (Atheists 34!) One correct interpretation of scripture 23 21 Genesis Creationism 38 23 Evolution guided by God 47 32 Evolution by natural selection 12 42 (Atheists 89)
Men vs. women: Code: Belief Men Women ======================================================================== Angels 37 63 Miracles 52 74 Heaven 45 67 ESP 39 59 Life after death 44 62 Holy Book is word of God 28 40 Holy Book is literal truth 30 25 One correct interpretation of scripture Genesis Creationism 18 27
What the hell? 22% of people in Australia believe in witches? I'm not sure I understand what that even is.
As for non-believers in God: Code: There is no God: 30% Not sure if God exists or not 6% Sure that God doesn't exist 24% Proportion of men who are atheist outnumber women 2 to 1. Proportion of Australians under age 25 who are non-believers: 42% over age 55 25% Australians who do not believe but still consider themselves "cultural Christians": 11% other religion: 1% Non-believers who believe in heaven, hell, angels, witches, the devil: about 10% miracles 25% astrology, UFOs 27% ESP 34%
Where do you get that from? The poll clearly shows 30% in Australia, 8% in the US. Agreed. How did the poll define "witches"? What did it mean by "Belief in witches". Since witches exist, as a fact, the question makes little sense.
interesting, wonder why the disconect between the evolution figures and the god ones. After all if you belive in "god" and that god is responcable for everything then its inconsistant to say "Evolution by natural selection". If god controls everything then how can he NOT control evolution?
Who said god controls everything? That's an assumption independent of the question of the existence of god(s).
Any and all polls can be manipulated in numerous ways to give the desired results. Back in the ol' days, the early days of polling, there was some degree of truth and accuracy in published polls. But now? No! Polls are just thingies to "prove" whatever you want to prove to whoever is stupid enough to believe polls! Baron Max
how am i the first person to have an issue with this? Given i'd define witch as a person with actual powers, i'd say they don't exist, as a super fact (which are even more factual) i agree, but i'd try and look at the poll questions, check out whoever this nielson character is etc. before i declare it rigged.
I did, then I checked the definition - http://www.thefreedictionary.com/witch Given that definition then they certainly do exist.
Funny, the stats show that 80% of Americans believe the bible to be the word of god. That's bs considering I've argued that point here and have been opposed in this view by almost all Christians here, other than members such as Adstar.