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 According to a recent Reuters poll, more Americans believe in the Devil (62%) than in the theory of Evolution (42%). Reuters attributes this to the uniquely American sense of "religiousity" that just bewilders people the world over.
This is slightly encouraging but not really a good reason for Christians to pat themselves on the back because "we're winning" against Evolution. People are clearly interested in a spiritual, supernatural, other-worldly kind of existence and how that may relate to this life (35% also believe in UFOs and witches). However, that belief in "other" existence is not only often ambiguous but actually resists definition. People are perfectly happy being "spiritual" without being "religious".
Maybe it's because belief in the "devil" doesn't really require any sort of religious doctrinal commitment other than a belief in some sort of cosmic bad-guy. He's a regular on South Park. Kids dress up with red horns and tails for Halloween. It's easier to think of the Devil as an anti-Santa Claus rather than a real being who wants nothing more
C.S. Lewis's classic dialogue, The Screwtape Letters offers great insight into the devil of Scriptures. The Devil's Advocate is one of my all-time favorite movies - Pacino's excellent soliloquy toward the end makes the rest of the drivel worth the watch. I still think Keanu should not be allowed to speak in movies. I digress... But even saying that much about the devil is going a bit far for people today. That makes things too real and scary, when people would rather think about all things sweetness and light.
72% believe that Jesus is God or the Son of God. Once again, big deal. Even the demons believe that much...and tremble. (James 2:19).
Contrary to what many churches teach, believing Biblical factoids and aping religious-sounding jargon isn't what saves anyone. No one is saved because they have gathered up enough nuggets of theological information and can tick off items on a checklist. We are saved because that Jesus (72%) has defeated the devil (62%) completely (100%) by His death on the Cross for our (including Charles Darwin's) sins.
Edited on: December 05th, 2007 3:08 pm
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