A new poll suggests that Americans as a whole are more tolerant of other religions than people claim and that only a small amount of extremists on both sides of the fence are keeping that view alive.
We have all heard the cries against Christians "shoving religion down the throats of others." However, a new poll suggest that only a small group of fundamentalists are to blame for this viewpoint, and more than 57% of Evangelical Christians think that their religion is
not the only belief system that can lead to salvation and eternity.
35,000 Americans participated in a survey put forth by the
Pew Forum on Religion and Public life last year. The findings of the study fly in the face of minority leaders raging a culture war against religions. 70 percent of the respondents agreed with the statement "Many religions can lead to eternal life." The study further found that Jehovah's Witnesses followed by Mormons are the most intolerant when it comes to accepting other paths to salvation.
While some see this as a step towards enlightenment, purists are troubled by the findings. Some claim that this is evidence that historical or fundamental Christianity is being sullied in a multicultural world, and that no longer are people heeding the message of Jesus who proclaimed, "I am the way, the truth, and the light; no one may come to the Father but by me."
It seems that some fundamentalists are blaming the "salad bar" mentality for the shift in belief. " A little of this and a little of that, but I don't want beets." Others will argue that the Salad bar is God and the salad you make is your specific path to salvation... or satiation whichever you prefer.
The question remains to be asked, with so many tolerant of other religions, is the argument that Christians are bullies attempting to impose religion on others still valid?
New Poll Shows America's Religious Outlook
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