Catch the Fire Ministries has changed its name to Reformation Harvest Fire Ministries




US FlagBy Jennifer Riley – Christian Post Reporter

The majority of American Christians do not believe that Satan is a real being or that the Holy Spirit is a living entity, the latest Barna survey found.

Nearly six out of ten Christians either strongly agreed or somewhat agreed with the statement that Satan “is not a living being but is a symbol of evil,” the survey found.

Forty percent strongly agreed with the statement while 19 percent of American Christians somewhat agreed.

In contrast, about 35 percent of American Christians believe Satan is real. Twenty-six percent strongly disagreed with the statement that Satan is merely symbolic and about one-tenth (9 percent) somewhat disagreed.

The remaining eight percent of American Christians responded they were unsure what to believe about the existence of Satan.

Interestingly, the majority of Christians believe a person can be under the influence of spiritual forces, such as demons or evil spirits, even though many of these same people believe Satan is merely a symbol of evil. Two out of three Christians agreed that such forces are real (39 percent agreed strongly, 25 percent agreed somewhat).

Likewise, most Christians in the United States do not believe that the Holy Spirit is a living force. Fifty-eight percent strongly or somewhat agreed with the statement that the Holy Spirit is “a symbol of God’s power or presence but is not a living entity.”

Only one-third of Christians disagreed with the statement that the Holy Spirit is not just symbolic (9 percent disagreed somewhat, 25 percent disagreed strongly). Nine percent expressed they were unsure.

Interestingly, about half (49 percent) of those who agreed that the Holy Spirit is only a symbol but not a living entity, agreed that the Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches. The Bible states that the Holy Spirit is God’s power or presence, not just symbolic.

“Most Americans, even those who say they are Christian, have doubts about the intrusion of the supernatural into the natural world,” commented George Barna, founder of The Barna Group and author of books analyzing research concerning America’s faith.

“Hollywood has made evil accessible and tame, making Satan and demons less worrisome than the Bible suggests they really are,” he said. “It’s hard for achievement-driven, self-reliant, independent people to believe that their lives can be impacted by unseen forces.”

But a large majority of American Christians agree that a person must choose to side with either good or evil. More than six out of ten American Christians strongly agreed (61 percent) with the idea that a person must either side with God or with the devil – that there is no in-between position. Another 15 percent somewhat agreed.

Just one out of ten adults disagreed somewhat (10 percent) and a similar proportion (11 percent) strongly disagreed. Only a few adults (3 percent) did not have an opinion on the issue.

Barna explained that because of the “sheer force of repetition” many Americans “intellectually” accept the idea that you either side with God or Satan and there’s no in-between, even though this idea does “not get translated into practice.”

Other survey findings include a significant number of self-described Christians believing that Jesus sinned when he lived on earth, contrary to the core teaching of Christianity that teaches the divinity and perfection of Jesus.

More than one-fifth (22 percent) strongly agreed that Jesus Christ sinned when He lived on earth, with an additional 17 percent agreeing somewhat.

However, nearly half of American Christians (46 percent) strongly disagreed with the idea that Jesus sinned, and 9 percent disagreed somewhat. Six percent did not have an opinion on the statement.

The Barna report is based on telephone interviews for two surveys among people who described themselves as Christians. A total of 1,871 adults were randomly selected from across the 48 continental states, with the first 873 interviews conducted in January and February 2008, and the remaining 998 interviews conducted in November 2008.


6 Responses to “Most U.S. Christians Don’t Believe Satan, Holy Spirit Exist”

  1. 1 Anonymous Servant

    My opinion remains on what the word of God says. The King James Version – not the other versions of the bible which have ALL in numerous ways been diluted, altered and rephrased. NIV actually totally omitted the blood of Jesus and repentance several times in vital scriptures. (Still any bible is better than no bible.) NKJV is okay, but there are numerous errors, which is detrimental to hearers if they are taught from it.

    “without the shedding of blood, there is NO remission for sins”

    But in the 40-late70’s the gospel that was being taught was very different to what is being taught now. Possibly due to all the NEW bible that have come in twisting the HOLY WORD of GOD.

    Nowadays most churches have preached ACCEPTANCE of JESUS, instead of REPENTANCE & Faith towards God & Jesus. Accepting Jesus is part of the message, but people DON’T KNOW the Holy Ghost exists because the BIBLE says they are NOT even CHRISTIANS. (Rom 8:9) They may have been told they are Christians because of what they are taught by men.

    EG. Accept Jesus, instead of repent, confess and believe.

    Romans 8:9 (b)
    Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

    IF A PERSON DOESN’T HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT, THAT PERSON IS NOT A CHRISTIAN

    The BIBLE SAYS, PEOPLE CAN ONLY RECIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT THROUGH REPENTANCE – NOT A SINNERS PRAYER.

    Acts 2:38
    Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you iin the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

    THE CONDITION 4 RECIEVEING THE HOLY SPIRIT = REPENT

    Acts 3:19
    Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

    That is why Jesus taught us to teach repentance, yet people focus on the lesser matters of the gospel. Like Prosperity, and imply to congregations that the sinners prayer as an irrevocable ticket into heaven.

    THIS IS WHAT JESUS SAID TO TEACH:

    Matthew 28:20 (a)
    Teaching them to observe ALL things whatsoever I have commanded you:

    Luke 24:47
    that REPENTANCE and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

    Mark 1:4
    John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance FOR the remission of sins.

    Mark 1:15
    And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

    REPENTANCE IS MENTIONED 1ST, THEN BELIEF 2ND.
    (POSSIBLY REPENTANCE ALLOWS the HOLY SPIRIT to BEGIN to CONVICT, so that people BELIEVE in their HEARTS, so they can CONFESS with their mouths.)

    Luke 3:3
    And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance FOR the remission of sins;

    Luke 5:32
    I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (NOT ACCEPTANCE – REPENTANCE)

    Luke 13:3
    I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

    Luke 15:10
    Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that REPENTETH.

    NOT OVER ONE SINNER WHO REPEATS A PRAYER, then attends church, gets involved with activities, and tithes.

    John 14:26
    But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things
    to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

    1 Corinthians 2:14
    But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

    1 Corinthians 2:13
    Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual
    things with spiritual.

    May this bless everyone who reads it, and may the precious Holy Spirit lead you into all truth.
    For Jesus name sake!
    Amen!

    IMPORTANT:
    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Act 17:11 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    People don’t search the scriptures DAILY….
    because the Spirit of Divination (python) is distracting peop[le, choking them from having time to pray, study the word and seek God. That spirit’s assignment was to distract and choke out the breath (Holy Spirit) from Paul & co in Acts 16. And it is that same spirit that has been coming against the body of Christ.
    Then there is the spirit of Error also. Two demonic spirits mentioned in the N.T that have assignments one to decieve, the other to distract and restrain.

    Acts 16:16-20 (King James Version)
    16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination (python) met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
    18 And this did she many days.
    But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

    That spirit was assigned to distract, hinder, annoy and as python does to it’s prey, choke the breath out of them. Breath as in the Holy Spirit, their ability to pray, and recieve from the Holy Spirit was hindered due to that demonic spirit of python.

    BTW:
    KJV is great, but not 100% accurate. So referring to GREEK/HEBREW reveals much, and allows the Holy Spirit to teach us more, as we seek answers, he helps us find them. The English language doesn’t have certain words used in Greek, and on numerous accounts, the KJV has used one word to cover a multitude of different meanings/definitions/words. Such as JUDGE. There are 3 different words in Greek N.T that hav been all called JUDGE in the English N.T

  2. 2 Anonymous Servant

    Also,
    many don’t even know what repent means – they think it mean ask for mercy, or ask for forgiveness…

    I personally don’t believe we can repent on behalf of others.
    Why?

    We cannot renew anothers mind on their behalf, but we can ask for God’s mercy upon our nation, and interceed (stand in the gap) for them.

    The Greek definition of REPENT: means to change the way one thinks. To renew their mind.

    (Then one can begin to change (or turn 180) AS they put into practise what they learn in the word, the Holy Spirit begins to transform the person into a new wineskin. But an old wineskin cannot be filled with wine – or it will break. So the mind needs to be renewed before and daily in order live a life of repentance, then the Holy Spirit will fill them. But since most people don’t study their bibles rely on their pastors for spiritual food, we have the current state of the church today.)

    Paul defined REPENTANCE as…

    Romans 12:2
    And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

    Ephesians 5:25-27 (King James Version)
    26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
    27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

    The word washes out the world.
    This is how God renews our minds, which is a major part of repentance.

    Though God in His infinite wisdom and abundant mercy has still filled people with the Holy Spirit, maybe because of the capacity in which He alone knows they are able. Different measures of grace – possibly.

    I don’t know much, I am still a babe, not yet mature believer, I have much to learn. And I am possibly one of the greatest sinners who God has been exceedingly abundantly graceful to.
    But freely I have recieved, so freely I will give. For the benefit of others.

    1 Corinthians 2:12
    Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

    God Bless you CATCH THE FIRE TEAM, May you increase in wisdom and stature and in favor, and may God extend your territory, guide you, teach you, and protect you with the precious blood of Jesus Christ in all you do. Keep up the good work.

    About the existence of Satan – see what the word says

    2 Corinthians 4:4
    In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

    Professed Christians who don’t think satan exists, must still be blinded and in the dark. The moment one is in the light, they begin to hate darkness, and every true believer will discern to some extent that satan exists. If they don’t believe what is in the bible, then how can they be Christians. Boy do we have a lot of things to pray for.May God strengthen us all, to interceed by the power of the Holy Ghost.

    1 John 4:6
    We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

    Personally, I hate the Spirit of Error, with perfect hatred. (It’s ok to hate satan & his kingdom – david did)
    Spirit of Error is the cause of false doctrines, diluted ear tickling motivational speeches, denominational disputes, disunity in the body of Christ, and we should really target these specific ‘strongmen’ until they are totally uprooted out of Australia.

  3. 3 Melissa Scott

    It is sad to know this, knowing that most americans are christians, ironically they don’t believe. Maybe they just need more enlightenment.

  4. 4 David Barton

    Maybe because of the influence of technology today, they dont believed in supernatural anymore.

  5. 5 Sid Roth

    I’m glad that i found your website; there are a couple of interesting posts.

  6. 6 valerie byers

    I agree so much on the power of the Ho;y Spirit i have experience a few things 4 years ago on the 17th September the day my sister died, without knowing God Sent the Holy Spirit to work in my life to prepare my sister for death, i was not a christian then
    and did not have faith , but things happened that changed my life for ever and i know now that we need to have a relationship
    with God and the Holy Spirit does change broken lives turns it around with out you even knowing it I have become a different
    person and want to grow in faith as i know and believe with all my heart that God does spea to us gives us words directs
    us and vision thank you for your web site it helps one to grow in faith

    yours sincerely

    valerie byers

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