Are Americans Awakening to God?                                                          

by T. C. Pinckney                                                                                                                  Vol. XV, No. 2, February 2002

We read a lot about the United States being a “postmodern” society where there are no absolute truths, where all things and values are relative. But perhaps, just perhaps, that is beginning to change. Perhaps the impossibility of actually living as if there is no solid truth is evoking in people an almost subconscious search for spiritual reality, a reality wholly lacking in the mythical “Land of Whatever.”

I recently read of a poll which asked Americans whether they believe in life after death. (Sorry, I neglected to jot down the source.) The questions were asked in the 1970's and again in the 1990's. Here are some intriguing results.

              Believe in Life after Death

                                                               1970's            1990's

                Jews                                       19%               56%

                no religion                               44%               63%

                Catholics                                 74%               83%

                all Americans                          77%               82%