Belief in Miracles Growing

Surprising Trend Presents Challenges & Opportunities Nigel Tomes, Nov., 2012 Against the backdrop of increasing secularization—the decline of mainline Protestant denominations & the rise of the “no religion” category—surprisingly, the belief in miracles is growing in North America. A variety of US surveys display complimentary aspects of this trend. We assume that Canadian data (if it were available) would show similar changes. In summary researchers report: [1] Growing belief in Miracles. Penn State University researcher, Robert Martin analyzed the US General Social Survey from 1991 to 2008. He found the belief in miracles grew over the last 2 decades. In 2008 nearly 4-out-of-5 (78% of) US adults believed that miracles “definitely or probably” happen, compared to 73% in 1991. This 5-percentage point increase occurred in a society which relies increasingly on technology, where science is ascendant, and criticism casts doubt on the Bible’s accounts of miracles. [2] Belief in Miracles Gets Stronger. The same survey shows the percentage of people who "definitely" believe in miracles rose from 45% in 1991 to 55% in 2008. This means a majority of the US population affirms a strong belief that miracles happen. Those who "definitely" believe in miracles increased by factor of 1.22 (10-percentage points), faster than those who say miracles “probably” occur, which suggests a strengthening of this conviction.   [3] Across the Board—Young & Old. These trends seem to hold true across all age groups. A 2010 Pew Research Center report found 79% of Americans, including 78% ages 18 to 29, believe in miracles; so young & old are about the same. [4] Church Attendance the strongest predictor: Not surprising, Martin found attendance at religious services to be the strongest predictor of belief in miracles. Evangelical Christians & black Protestants retain strong beliefs in the existence of miracles. But, more surprisingly the… [5] Greatest Growth on the periphery of Organized Religion, those who attend church infrequently: Robert Martin found that as long as people attended religious services at least once a year (but less than once a month,) they experienced a strengthening in their belief in miracles. This category can be called “marginal or infrequent attenders”—they do go to church, but irregularly, perhaps at Christmas, New Year and/or Easter. [6] Rapid Growth among “no religious affiliation” Group.  Even among respondents with “no religious affiliation,” the percentage believing in miracles increased from 32% in 1991 to 42% in 2008. This 10-percentage point increase is double the increase for the overall US population. Put differently, belief in the miraculous for the “no religious affiliation” group grew by a factor of 1.31. Evidently for these people the lack of attachment does not imply that they believe miracles never happen. On the contrary, a sizeable fraction—more than 2-in-5—affirm that miracles do (or can) occur. Challenges & Opportunities for Christians These findings present both challenges & opportunities for Churches & Christians. Opportunity—Profound Spiritual Interest: Some observers see the rising belief in miracles as indicative of an underlying spiritual hunger. "There's still this profound interest in spiritual things," says Baylor Univ. sociologist Kevin Dougherty said. "…it has relevance in individual's lives." Prof. Dougherty also sees the growing belief in miracles as another indicator that “as a society, as Americans in general. [We] are not in this uniform march toward secularism.” Put differently, in North America, faith in the supernatural is not travelling in the fast lane towards extinction. It’s growing, not declining. Miraculous Healing & Prayer One area of particular relevance to individuals is miraculous healing. A 2007 Baylor Religion Survey, found almost one-in-four (23%) of respondents said they witnessed a miraculous physical healing and almost one-in-six (16%) said they had personally received a miraculous healing. The power of prayer is linked to such healings. A 2010 Baylor Religion Survey, found three-quarters of respondents said they prayed to God to receive healing from an illness or injury; more than 5 in 6 respondents prayed for someone else's healing. Opportunity—Post-modern culture accepts miracles: The current Post-modern culture accepts the possibility of supernatural miracles. In contrast, the scientific & rational culture of previous eras scoffed at miracles. David Hume called the belief in miracles "a superstitious delusion." Mark J. Larson observed that "The intellectual winds of the last 3 centuries have blown in a direction contrary to belief in miracles." Now the spiritual winds appear to be blowing in a different direction. Christians should be encouraged to testify about the miracles God has done in their lives. Here is an opportunity to respond to peoples’ increased interest in miracles. As Sherry Weddell observes, “Talking of miracles is a great opportunity to ask people what their experience of God has been so far in their life – [to] have what we call ‘threshold conversations’ which is really a kind of …evangelization.” These research results suggest our friends, colleagues & neighbors are more interested in our experiences than our theology. Probably they’re more open to hearing about our miraculous experiences than the fine-details of our doctrines.   Better Opening Gambit? So this research suggests that appeal to the miraculous could be a better opening gambit for sharing our Christian faith. Perhaps some Christians ought to ask themselves—“Do I believe that God still performs miracles today? Or do I believe that miracles are confined to early New Testament era?” If we believe that God performs miracles today we ought to testify about the miracles we’ve experienced. Challenge of Oprah-Style Spirituality Penn State’s Robert Martin attributes the rising belief in miracles, especially among the “no religion” group, to popular TV programs such as “Touched by an Angel” and to best-selling books like the "Left Behind" series & the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series. But, the person who’s most responsible for this phenomenon is Oprah Winfrey. Oprah’s TV show brought accounts of miracles into the homes of millions of Americans. The downside is that Oprah’s miracle- accounts are presented as part of her “vague spirituality.” As Sherry Weddell observes, belief in miracles does not necessarily equate with belief in a personal God who is the source of miracles. Many Americans believe in an impersonal God —e.g. “the Force” of Star Wars —or a kind of universal spirit —e.g. the spiritual “energy” of New Age —that can produce miracles. The challenge before believers is--can we bring people from the miracles of God to the (personal) God of miracles? Some segments of Christianity, such as purveyors of the “prosperity gospel,” present a distorted view of God. Contrary to the “prosperity gospel,” the God of the Bible is not a “vending machine in the sky” dispensing miracles of wealth, health & happiness on demand. The challenge to Christians & Churches is to present a compelling case that the personal God of the Bible, who purposed the great miracles of Jesus Christ’s incarnation & resurrection, is still the real source of life-changing miracles. People need to move beyond the miracles of God, and even the God of miracles, to the God (behind the miracles) who has an eternal purpose which impacts them. Sources: David Briggs, “Belief in Miracles on the Rise” Assoc. of Religion Data Archives, Huffington Post Blog, Oct. 30, 2012 “It’s a miracle!!! Belief in miracles on the rise!!! Even among non religious!!!” Special to National Post, Oct 31, 2012 Melissa Steffan, “Where Is Belief in Miracles Growing Fastest? Among Those Who Don't Attend Church,” Gleanings, Christianity Today, Nov. 2, 2012 Robert Martin, “Why Would the Greatest Increase in Belief in Miracles be among those who infrequently Attend Services?” Science & Religion Today, Nov. 1, 2012.