Do You Believe in God?

While it's surprising to see how close to the center people seem to be split, you have to consider the kinds of people who would come across this website and those who feel compelled to voice their opinion.

The results are bound to be skewed toward a certain demographic.

I wish they had a category for "maybe".

I can't help being astonished about the number of people that actually believe in any god. With all we know today, how's that possible?

the only thing this proves is what parts of the world have internet access. 118k does not equal world opinion.

Quoting Karl Marx:
«Religious distress is at the same time the expression of real distress and the protest against real distress. Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of a spiritless situation. It is the opium of the people. The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is required for their real happiness. The demand to give up the illusion about its condition is the demand to give up a condition which needs illusions.»

Communist or not, he was absolutely correct about religion!

Karl Marx was correct about nothing.

A belief in God doesn't necessitate religion, and on that note and although my answer is 'yes' I'm left with an important question for that poll: "Which one?" I side with the Toist/Buddhist 'God' on that one, which isn't accepted by most people in that way, so I'd also probably find myself choosing 'other'. Or maybe just 'Flying Spaghetti Monster'.

I can’t help being astonished about the number of people that don't believe in God. With all we know today, how’s that possible?

This is kinda funny, that someone thinks a poll on whether people believe in God or not will make any difference. Not like his existence depends on a majority vote.

Silly.

Personally I'm surprised by the number of people who do believe there's some sort of invisible, all-powerful being floating above us. The funny thing is that most Christians are rational, critical folks who know exactly why all other religions are hogwash. They laugh about the silliness of all other belief systems. They find the Norse and Greek myths ludicrous, the Sikhs superstitious pagans, the Hindus just weird and muslims scary fundamentalists, yet they don't see how their own beliefsystem is just as flawed, ludicrous, superstitious and sometimes even scary when its taken to extremes.

I can’t help being astonished about the number of people that DO believe in God. With all we know today, how’s that possible?

Sorry Dave.

Wow, that is... remarkably inaccurate compared to the properly performed scientific surveys.

I can’t help being astonished about the number of people that responded to this survey. With all we know today, how’s that possible?

agree w/ another jake - this is so far off of the scientifically sound poll results that I have read.
America - If you could wrap god in a flag deep fry it then powder it w/ sugar you would pretty much have 80% of our "culture"

The most a poll like this might be able to comment on would be the deistic nature of people who read and vote on such 'voting' sites. For that, it's kind of interesting (seems to be a bias towards atheism, which is what I would have guessed). For anything else, it's fairly useless.

One should also take care to see that it's not stipulating a belief in theism, religion or any dogma. A deist would be just as likely to answer 'yes'.

Quoting Groucho Marx:
Man does not control his own fate. The women in his life do that for him.

Woohoo! Go Oceania! We're in the lead!

Maybe I've been watching too much of the olympics.

Well, it kept me from feeling so alone for a few seconds. Unfortunately, it's nowhere near accurate.

LOL @ Easy

When I first saw this, I laughed at what Another Jake is saying. I even thought that maybe 70% of the 349 people they asked in Africa were missionaries.

The self-selection bias in play here is so overwhelming so as to make this survey useless.

Quoting Joe Rogan, on the Noah story:

"I'm not that retarded!"

I find it funny that the Vatican City State had someone who doesn't believe in God...

Probably a swiss guard member.

Jesus didn't die on the cross for religion. Being that virtually all polls that deal with a belief in God have the believers overwhelmingly supportive of a belief in God, I highly suspect this poll is somewhat skewed, to put it lightly.

It is no suprise that after all we know today and all we can observe in nature and in Creation, that in the end times people will fall away, turning instead to fables (such as evolutionism). It's predicted in the Bible.

@Johnny Cat---I live in South Africa and believe me, the believers in God/Allah are very much in evidence here...so much so that I would have little trouble believing such a figure.

Many African nations are heavily Muslim...so much so that Sharia is the law of their lands. Here in South Africa church and gospel singing are a huge part of the lives of black South Africans. My husband and I were out driving in the country a couple of Sundays ago and came across a group of people, dressed in their finest clothes, walking along the road, miles from any kind of settlement. They were on their way home from church.

Africa believes in God.

Interesting to see the correlation between relative wealth and belief in God.

Negative correlation that is.

And strange the number of people who think there would be a bias towards atheism here. Why would there be such a bias? And also... why would a religious reader be upset at the relatively low numbers of people believing in God? Surely your faith is enough for you? Shouldn't worry what everyone else thinks..?

Easy >> I thougt about the same. The wealthiest regions seem to be those where the belief in gods existence ist lowest.

Mabbye that's how satan works!!!! ;-)

As I like to tell most people of faith; we both reject an almost identical number of the thousands of putative gods. I just go one step further than you.

I've always been a godless heathen, Comes from being raise a Catholic with an ignorant drunken priest, and 2 weeks of catholic school which I thankfully got thrown out of for hitting a penguin (nun) back after she nailed me with a yard stick.
Fuck organized religion.

"Interesting to see the negative correlation between relative wealth and belief in God."

Interesting to also note the correlation between relative wealth and education.

Not that education neccessarily negates faith but it does seem that the more we learn & understand about the world we live in, the less likely we are to believe in an all powerful God(s).

"Wow, that is… remarkably inaccurate compared to the properly performed scientific surveys."

Oh, the layers of irony in that statement!

America - If you could wrap god in a flag deep fry it then powder it w/ sugar you would pretty much have 80% of our “culture”

Is that one of your "scientifically sound poll results"?

55% of Americans don't believe in God? That number is way too high. This poll is obviously highly skewed, so it's basically worthless (not that it wouldn't be mostly worthless even if it was accurate).

I thought the majority of people in the U.S. believed in God.

Perhaps the wrong people are taking this particular poll.

This does not represent a cross section of the people in the U.S. or any of the represented countries for that matter. I don't know if anybody is claiming it's unbaised though.

I'm pretty proud of Canada, we're right up there!

Invisible boogey-men are for 3 year olds.

And idiot adults.

"I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen Roberts

I agree with Haekel. The way a banana fits into my hand so perfectly makes any poll regarding the existence of God irrelevant.

Yeah - I noticed the correlation here between poverty and belief in God.

With wealth comes education and with education comes a questioning of the world. When one starts to question how the world works, one can see that the fairy tales and superstitions of 2000 years ago started by uneducated, impoverished Middle Easterners are no longer relevant.

I am so sure that the 39% of Canadians who believe in God are poor and uneducated.

How on earth can an educated, worldly person believe in a guy who lives in the sky and watches and judges your every move ?

Screw Christianity. Screw Buddhism. Screw whatever tries to explain what or who God is.

But there is a God. It might not even be a "god" in the sense that normal people perceive it, but its there, whatever it is.

That poll is not Ignostic friendly at all.

Believe in God? Which God? Any God?

Where can you put more faith into than absurdities?

We believe in something if we hear it, see it or feel it.

So, why do many people believe in God? Lets face it, no one sees God, feels God or hears God. If they say they do, it's called a delusion. FACT. It's called having faith. FACT. It's called having a belief. FACT. I won't deny...but...

Oh, look, my coffee mug, that's real, I can pick it up off my desk...come on, we live in a materialistic world.

The Victorians, on average, 1-2ft smaller. Why, natural selection and human evolution. FACT. Adam and Eve, portrayed as we are today. Eh??? I'm confused.

Let me also see, who is familiar with the term, human indoctrination. It means, if my mother and father are strong Christians, guess what I will be from the day I am born...of course?!!

You see, the fact of the matter is, no one will ever change what they believe in through religious debates and discussions. It's in our nature to stand by what we believe and not move from it. Just open your mind for one day and really think, is there REALLY a higher power?? Really? Until I see this higher power, or feel it or hear it DIRECTLY...I will remain loyal to what I believe.

If you believe in God due to second hand influences, indoctrination, school, family or whatever, think...do I believe in God because I believe in God, or because I have grown up knowing...NO DIFFERENT? Isn't it about time to think for yourself and look at the scientific evidence.

More religious wars will occur. Due to a conflict in religious beliefs. Sometimes I think atheists are the more independent, un-corrupted individuals; in which an atheists mind is very much FREE.

Did you know this very fundamental fact. If an atheist lives a pure, honest, PERFECT life, that atheist would still go to "the pit of fire for eternity" because he hasn't accepted God. The one thing no one has heard, felt or seen. Thanks alot God. Real nice of you.

I totally agree with the last comment...also, look at the correlation, poorer countries believe in God more than wealthier countries. This maybe due to education, diet and exercise. These three things can enlighten an individual and provide a fresh, clear cut perspective on life.

I truly believe in god. nothing in this world came naturally with magic of some sort. man could not create seeds or rain....god does that for us, because loves us. When judgement day arrives and he comes down people that dont believe in his word will suffer and be left here in this full of sin world to suffer with satan. God is love and he wants us to believe in him. this world belongs to satan and don't let him fool you into falling into his hands. Follow gods word and you will live in gods kingdom with no suffering, pain, boredome, be felt again.

Please define God. People tend to confuse God with Religion. Do you think of God as a Human Like being sitting on a chair up there in the Sky? We, humans, have very limited capabilities. Yes, we have a brain, but that's probably one of our limitations. Take, for example, infinity. Can you really understand infinity? no, you can't. Your brain would not allow you to. In order to comprehend infinity we have to open our mind. We have to accept that there are things that EXIST and that we can not comprehend. Think of a star that is millions of light years away...meaning that the light that you see today, is from a star that does not exist anymore... take a minute and just imagine the extent of the universe. There's no end to it. Can you comprehend..."NO END?". Now that you have increased the possibilities of the Unknown a litle bit...imagine God again. Is it possible? I would say yes. If you do not believe in God, you're denying the possibility of that existence and once again, you're limiting yourself.

Does anyone else think that jesus and muhommed were tag teaming mary?

Herman, you echo my sentiment almost perfectly. The 6 million year old may still exist though!

oops, not sure how I saw the number 6 million, but those stars may still exist nevertheless.

yes i believe Allah by heart Allah exists everywhere Allah creater and exsists 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000percent

Don't ask me or anyone else if they believe in god. it is nobody's business. If you believed in God, you would not be trespassing to ask the question. Do you believe in trespassing?

Ref...Columbine

Oh my goodness, I'm so confused right now :[

Fascinating range of opinions. Just as the poll was simplistic, so the answers.( Sometimes the greatest sophistication is found in an appreciation of that which is SIMPLE.)

The more developed the theory of why there is no Theos, the less developed the proof offered. I think I know why. We are taught in our halls of higher learning that all things were created from nothing by mere chance and some cosmic accident. Yet, everything made by man has a developed methodology to it and must be governed by the germane to that method. (Physics, Medicine, chemistry, etc) All have laws, yet we refuse to accept that these same laws MUST be obeyed by the universe as well. For instance. We believe that a primordial gas explosion out in the cosmos produced millions of fully developed species, which have some how turned into other things in order to "adapt" to laws which we believe can be suspended at our whim. That being the case, I should be able to throw a hand grenade into my garage and drive a Bentley out of the rubble. Don't pooh-pooh it so fast. According to "science", that is what happened in the Big bang. Perfect organization from pure chaos.

It takes more faith to believe in THAT than it does to believe in God. And with less proof that is provided in the Bible. Yet, most "educated" (Or to be more accurate in terms of modern U.S Matriculation - INDOCTRINATED) types would rather dismiss god than dismiss order from chaos because if there IS a God, they must follow the rules of GOD. This is slavery to the indoctrinated mind. As is indoctrination, but we don't mind THAT because we believe that we are FREE.

Think black slaves back in America back in 1776. That's about how "free" you are in the plan of the God of this world. (If you follow my paradigm.)

There is a god of order and a God of chaos.

You all feel free to choose which one you will worship and follow. I can't choose for you.

Shalom

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, in 1915 the world's population was just 1.8 Billion people. In 2009 the world's population is 6.8 Billion people. In the past 94 years the world's population has increased by 5 Billion people. That's only one lifetime. In 500 years that will be 25 Billion people. If there is poverty, starvation, global warming and a hole in the ozone layer now, what do you think it will be like in 500 years? Man is literally destroying the earth and himself by over populating. Save your generations from suffering a miserable and horrible end. Stop creating and if you have children tell them when they grow up not to create. Please help spread this message to the entire world. Byeyouall, Jesus

This survey may be valid for North America where people mostly have internet, but in poor countries in Africa where the majority of the population doesn't have internet the survey is a complete misrepresentation.

yes,ido ido believe in god and i really feel him in my heart he make me CRY i sweare

here what ido to make me feel it

try to be the god your world i mean you make him like your father , Mother , brother and everthing try talk to him with no Shy try talk to him at night 3AM talk to him like you talk to your self never be shy from him ask him what you want beleive in him in your very Heart say to him you will start tearing and mabye even crying try talk like you talk to the god to anyone you will not felt like the feeling when you talk to the God
AND THE TEARS IS THE EVEDANSE THATS MAKE KNOW THAT GOD EXIST ...... I KNOW ALL OF IT SOUND CRAZY BUT TRYIT YOU WILL NOT LOSE ANYTHING .... me GOD Guide us to the RIGHT PATH

if I had the slightest doubth about Allah's existance I would kill myself right away. For I would choose to be soil than to be a mindless animal.

i am so confuse about it... but i think god not to be dependent on religious i think god it is one power.

and i agree with the poor to his god forgivness...

If you look at the demographics, it's just fucking hilarious... the more developed a region is, the less they have their faith.
Hate to break it to you, folks, but there's no God. No afterlife. Nothing. Live this life to the fullest, because it's the only thing we have.
Isn't this enough? You're alive. Appreciate it.

I'm fairly sure the answer is No. Here's why.

God didn't make light, the sun did during a big bang
God didn't make life, it was made when lightning hit the sea and sent energy to it
God didn't make our personality, we did
God didn't make the world, if he did there would be no natural disasters

Our lives are good enough, but if there was God, our lives would be much better.
If there was a God, I would probably be dead by now because of what I think of God.

This isn't meant to offend religious people, it's just to say why I do not believe in God