These poll numbers were released earlier today by Rasmussen Reports -- "an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information."
78% Think Jesus Christ Rose from the Dead
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Today's the day Christians believe Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead, and 78% of Americans share that belief.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 10% don't believe Christ rose from the dead, and another 11% are not sure.
Eighty-five percent (85%) also think that the person known to history as Jesus Christ actually walked the earth 2,000 years ago. Six percent (6%) disagree. Eight percent (8%) aren't sure.
Nearly as many adults (81%) believe that Jesus was the son of God who came to Earth and died for our sins. Ten percent (10%) don't think that's true, and nine percent (9%) are not sure.
Overall, Evangelical Christians tend to be stronger believers in Jesus than other Protestants or Catholics. Nearly all Evangelicals (99%) think Jesus was the son of God. That view is shared by 92% of Catholics and 88% of other Protestants.
Ninety-seven percent (97%) of Evangelical Christians believe Jesus rose from the dead, compared to 87% of Catholics and 86% of other Protestants.
Ninety-six percent (96%) of Evangelical Christians think Jesus actually walked the Earth, as do 92% of Catholics and 89% of other Protestants.
Fifty-one percent (51%) of Americans say Easter is one of the nation's most important holidays . Among Evangelical Christians, however, the holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ is rated one of the most important by 76%. Fifty-six percent (56%) of other Protestants and 48% of Catholics share that belief.
Among those who rarely or never attend church, 46% believe Jesus rose from the dead, 52% think he was the son of God, and 67% say he walked the Earth. Those figures are down slightly from last year .
Nine-five percent (95%) of those who attend church at least once a week believe all of those things to be true.