Relationship with God

The following questions were asked of those who stated religion or religious faith was at least “somewhat important” to them personally.

About 70% have a meaningful relationship with God.

Over 80% believe God loves and cares about them.

Half of the population has never felt God punished them for their sins.

About half of the population has had doubts about their faith at some time.

About 40% have wondered, at least once, whether God abandoned them. When this wondering occurred only “sometimes” or less, 60 to 70% of respondents strongly agreed that God loved and cared about them. When the wondering about abandonment occurred as frequently as “very often” there was less agreement about God’s love and care for them.

Based on further analysis, we found that even when struggles in life cause Americans to occasionally doubt their faith or feel God has left them, they return to their relationship with God and view God as loving and caring. To what do you attribute this persistence in faith?