Path to heaven explored

A majority of American Christians believe that heaven can be attained by at least some non-Christians, according to the results of a new survey released Thursday.

In 2007, the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life's monumental Religious Landscape Survey showed that seven in 10 religious Americans say salvation is not the exclusive claim of certain kinds of Christians. In an attempt to clarify this response, the Pew Forum asked nearly 3,000 people in July and August to be more specific. Of the "many religions" that can lead to eternal life, are non-Christian faiths included?

Fifty-two percent of Christians answered "yes." Of this group, 80 percent cited at least one non-Christian religion that can lead to salvation, and 61 percent cited two or more.

The views are in direct conflict with the doctrines of some religions, which claim exclusivity.

The poll found that roughly one-third of Americans, 30 percent, think that salvation depends on what a person believes, with nearly as many, 29 percent, saying it depends on one's actions. One in 10 Americans said the key to obtaining eternal life lies in a combination of belief and actions. The remaining one-third said that something else is the key to eternal life, they don't know what leads to eternal life or they don't believe in eternal life.

The number saying theirs is the one, true faith increased between 2007 and 2008, from 24 percent to 29 percent, according to the survey. The biggest change was among white, evangelical Protestants: 49 percent said theirs is the only true faith, compared with 37 percent last year. More black Protestants shared this sentiment, too: 45 percent, a 10 percent increase over 2007 results.

Among non-Protestants who said that many religions can lead to eternal life, roughly three-quarters, or 74 percent, said that Protestantism can lead to eternal life. Likewise, non-Catholics who believe there are multiple paths to heaven counted Catholicism among the options.

Among non-Jews who believe many religions can lead to salvation, 69 percent said Judaism is one of them. A slight majority of non-Muslims, 52 percent, said Islam can lead to eternal life, and a similar number, 53 percent, of non-Hindus say the same of Hinduism.

"Interestingly, although a majority who say that many religions can lead to eternal life believe that people with no religious faith also can achieve eternal salvation (56 percent), far fewer (42 percent) say this about atheists," the report states.

Reach Adam Parker at 937-5902 or aparker@postandcourier.com.