Pew Religious Landscape Survey: only 60% of Americans believe in God (a personal god)

This blog headline might strike you as odd or dishonest, especially if you see articles like this one:

92% of Americans believe in God or a universal spirit, Pew survey finds

Americans overwhelmingly believe in God and consider religion an important part of their lives, even as many shun weekly worship services, according to a national survey released today that also found great diversity in religious beliefs and practices. [...]

Yes, the basis for this article (and its headlines and lead in) is this Pew Survey. There is a ton of stuff here; you can keep yourself occupied for hours. The statistics are summarized here, and there is a link to the 268 page report. But take a look at this data table:

(larger)

The top line shows that indeed 92 percent of Americans believe in a deity or a universal spirit. But look across the line: only 60% believe in a personal god; 25% believe in some impersonal spirit or force (what Dawkins calls “sexed up atheism”) and 7% have some different conception.

In short, as a whole, this country is not as blindly religious as some might think.
Even when you look at, say, Catholics, only 60 per cent of these believe in a personal god, only 25 per cent of all Jews, and 41 percent of Muslims! (6 per cent of Atheists too; I admit that I don’t understand that one )

The following is also encouraging:

Most Americans agree with the statement that many religions – not just their own – can lead to eternal life. Among those who are affiliated with a religious tradition, seven-in-ten say many religions can lead to eternal life. This view is shared by a majority of adherents in nearly all religious traditions, including more than half of members of evangelical Protestant churches (57%). Only among Mormons (57%) and Jehovah’s Witnesses (80%) do majorities say that their own religion is the one true faith leading to eternal life.

Again, if you are interested in such things, you’ll find plenty to keep you occupied and entertained.

Where do I fit in? I posted some stuff about myself a few posts earlier (e. g., how I did on the belief.net surveys)

But here is a brief summary of where I am now:

When it comes to belief in a deity that performs miracles or supernatural acts (either currently, or in past world history): I am an atheist. I deny magic, “the sun standing still”, talking donkeys, virgin births, resurrected bodies, stone tablets given by a deity, flaming chariots, miraculous night journeys, golden tablets given by angels, angels equally.

Oh yes, I disbelieve astrology, tarot cards, chakras, healing crystals, dousing pendulums and the like.

When it comes to something (as Dawkins puts it) “grand and wonderful” that exists in something outside of our space time continuum and that doesn’t currently influence the universe: I am agnostic, though leaning toward atheism.

When it comes to something being outside of of our space time continuum and that doesn’t currently influence the universe that I have zero conception of: I am agnostic.

When it comes to believing that religious practices such as prayer, meditation, yoga and rituals can work to help people live happier, more contented lives on a personal level: I am a believer.
In this respect, I do not believe in supernatural miracles; I believe that there are secular reasons that such things work.

I also think that people coming together at church can be a good thing for people’s emotional health; I still, on rare occasion, attend a Unitarian Church.

Huge hat tip to Friendly Atheist.