A new study by Christian pollster George Barna comparing Americans’ religious beliefs and practices before and after the COVID pandemic finds some stunning departures from biblically faithful Christianity — including a 14 point drop, from 58%-44%, in the percentage of “born-again” Christians who believe Jesus lived a sinless life on Earth.
The survey, released April 20 and conducted by the Cultural Research Center (CRC), based at Arizona Christian University, in Glendale, Arizona, finds a mere 4% of overall Americans polled who possess a “biblical worldview,” down from 6%, while among born-again Christians, “the incidence of biblical worldview among them fell from 19% in 2020 to 13% in 2023.”
In another finding the report, which compares religious beliefs and practices in 2020, before the pandemic, to 2023, found a huge drop among born-again Christians — from 85% to just 50% — who say they are “deeply committed to practicing [their] faith.”
It’s not all bad news, though: the poll found a 14% uptick (from 32%-46%) in the percentage of people polled who agree that, “There are moral absolutes that apply to everyone, all the time.”
More Americans in 2023 (46%, up from 41% in 2020) believe the Bible is the “true and completely accurate word of God,” according to the poll. And born-again Christians registered a leap from 47% to 59% who accept the biblical teaching that sex “between two people who are not married to each other is morally unacceptable.”
The CRC study, “How the Faith of Americans Has Shifted Since the Start of the Pandemic,” released April 20, compares 2,000 U.S. adults in 2000 to the same number in 2023. Of those totals, 671 were considered born-again Christians in the 2020 survey and 650 were considered born-again in the 2023 survey. It is part of CRC’s ongoing to attempt to quantify Americans’ adherence to a biblical worldview since the COVID pandemic began.
The poll’s cross-tabs measure and compare two sets of Americans: a general group of randomly selected respondents, and “born again” Christians who voiced belief in the biblical gospel (“good news”) that they cannot count on their own goodness to get to heaven but rather the saving grace of God through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, who died to pay the price for their sins.
Here are some other notable findings in the report:
- A 12 percentage drop, from 60% to 14%, in Americans generally who agree with the statement: “You are deeply committed to practicing your religious faith”;
- A 14% drop, from 58-44%, in born-again Christians who believe the “Bible is unambiguous in its teaching about abortion”;
- A whopping 42% drop, from 88%-46% among born-again Christians who agree with the statement: “You have a unique, God-given calling or purpose for your life”;
- A 12-point drop in overall Americans’ religious beliefs, from 39%-29% who believe that “Human life is sacred.”
In a phone interview with WND, Barna ascribed the contradictory results of his survey to Americans’ predominant worldview of “syncretism,” which his report describes as “combining beliefs from a variety of worldviews into an unpredictable, customized blend that satisfies the emotional needs of the individual.”
“The results are confusing and contradictory because people are confused, and that includes many Christians,” Barna told WND. “The leading worldview is syncretism, and syncretism is essentially a confused belief system.”
He said the shocking, 35-point drop in born-again Christians who say they are “deeply committed” to practicing their faith is a reality-check brought on by the COVID pandemic and the government’s extreme, devastating lockdowns.
“Many self-professed Christians are not deeply committed, although they always seem to think they are,” Barna said. “Then the pandemic and the government’s extreme reaction to it came along and many who were hit hard by it said to themselves, ‘My faith really didn’t hold up for me.’”
Barna said American evangelical churches, especially “megachurches,” are “really good at marketing, but they’re not very good at discipling believers, and building up in their members a depth of commitment to Jesus.”
He said this unique, post-COVID era presents an amazing opportunity for faithful Christians to befriend, witness to, and disciple people in crisis, be they spiritually wandering family members, friends, or co-workers. He said many people are asking big questions about life and God in the wake of the pandemic, and the “remnant” of deeply committed followers of Jesus need to share the love and hope of Christ with them.
But beyond that, he said, Christians need to disciple new believers, or old believers, to help ground them in their faith.
“People will not become more committed as believers unless someone gets close to them and disciples them,” he said, adding that there is a “dearth of discipleship” in the larger church.
Biblical worldview?
Regarding the stunning drop of born-again Christians (58% in 2020 to 44% in 2023) who say they do not agree with the fundamental Christian and biblical belief that “Jesus did not commit sins during His time on Earth,” Barna told WND: “Most born-again Christians do not have a biblical worldview,” something he has been saying a very long time.
The CRC report states, “All told, there were 13 statistically significant changes identified among the born-again population — and the magnitude of the shift for two of them is quite astonishing.” The first is the 35-point drop described above among those who say they are “deeply committed” to their faith. The second is a 42-point drop, from 88%-46%, in respondents saying they have a “unique God-given calling or purpose for their life.”
In a previous report released in March, Barna laid out seven “cornerstones” of a biblical worldview:
- An orthodox, biblical understanding of God;
- All human beings are sinful by nature; every choice we make has moral considerations and consequences;
- The consequences of our sin can only be forgiven and eliminated through Jesus Christ. That forgiveness is available only by our personal, sincere acknowledgment and confession of our sins and complete reliance on His grace for the forgiveness of those sins’
- The entire Bible is true, reliable and relevant, making it the best moral guide for every person in all situations;
- Absolute moral truth exists — and those truths are defined by God, describes in the Bible, and are unchanging across time and cultures;
- The ultimate purpose of human life is to know, love, and serve God with all your heart, mind, strength and soul;
- Success on Earth is best understood as consistent obedience to God — in thoughts, words and actions.
“When you put the data in perspective, the biblical worldview is shuffling toward the edge of the cliff,” Barna said in the CRC’s first release of its “Worldview Inventory 2023,” released in February. “As things stand today, biblical theism is much closer to extinction in America than it is to influencing the soul of the nation. The current incidence of adults with the biblical worldview is the lowest since I began measuring it in the early 1990s.”
The veteran evangelical researcher cautioned, “Young people, in particular, are largely isolated from biblical thought in our society and are the most aggressive at rejecting biblical principles in our culture.”
The newest report describes “indefensible shifts in born-again beliefs,” and said “six beliefs of born-again Christians endured significant decline in the past three years.”
Barna told WND the vast majority of Americans, including so many self-identified Christians, lack a biblical worldview because they do not prioritize the study of Scripture, and because they take their cues from “the most powerful influence” in the culture: “arts and entertainment.”
Under the heading, “Declines in Biblical Behavior,” the CRC report states “there was a dramatic drop among born-again adults in being deeply committed to practicing their religious faith. Another decline is in studying or reading the Bible during a typical week, which declined 5 points, from 60% in 2020 to 55% in 2023.”
Barna told WND he hopes America’s spiritual crisis has “bottomed out,” but whether it has or not, the most pressing question for faithful Christians is this: “Will the five percent of ‘remnant’ believers … who are sold out to Him recognize this moment of opportunity” to share their faith and disciple new followers of the Savior?
Content created by the WND News Center is available for re-publication without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].
How to Prepare for Food Emergencies if You Don’t Have a Homestead or Bunker
In an unpredictable world, where supply chain disruptions, natural disasters, or economic instability can strike without warning, having a reliable food supply is more than just smart—it’s essential for survival. Whether you’re a “prepper” or not, we all know the golden rule: self-sufficiency is key. But what if you’re living in an apartment, working long hours, or simply don’t have the land to turn into a thriving homestead? Don’t worry; there’s a practical, effective way to build your food security without needing acres of soil or a fortified bunker.
The Ideal Prep: Building Your Own Food Empire
The ultimate dream for any serious prepper is controlling your own food production. Imagine waking up to a sprawling garden bursting with fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs—tomatoes ripening on the vine, potatoes ready to harvest, and greens that provide nutrition year-round. Add in livestock like chickens for eggs and meat, and you’ve got a self-sustaining system that keeps your family fed no matter what chaos unfolds outside.
This approach isn’t just about calories; it’s about resilience. A well-maintained garden can yield hundreds of pounds of produce annually, while a small flock of chickens might produce dozens of eggs weekly. It’s empowering, cost-effective in the long run, and teaches invaluable skills like crop rotation, animal husbandry, and preservation techniques. If you have the space, time, and resources, starting small and scaling up is the best path to true independence.
The Reality Check: Not Everyone Can Homestead
But let’s face it—not all of us are in a position to go full homesteader. Urban dwellers might be limited to a balcony or community plot that’s far from sufficient for long-term needs. Busy professionals juggling jobs, families, and daily life often lack the hours required for daily tending. And for those in apartments, condos, or regions with harsh climates, raising livestock or maintaining a large garden simply isn’t feasible. Factors like zoning laws, soil quality, water access, or even physical limitations can make this ideal out of reach.
That’s where the frustration sets in. You want to be prepared, but without a homestead or bunker, how do you ensure your pantry doesn’t run dry during a prolonged crisis? The good news is, you don’t have to sacrifice your preparedness goals. There’s a smart, accessible alternative that bridges the gap: investing in high-quality, long-term storage food.
The Smart Alternative: Long-Term Storage Food from Heaven’s Harvest
Long-term storage food is designed for exactly these scenarios—providing nutrient-dense, shelf-stable meals that last for decades without refrigeration or special conditions. It’s the perfect solution for preppers who can’t rely on fresh production but still demand reliability and variety in their emergency stockpile.
At Heaven’s Harvest, they specialize in premium survival food kits that make preparedness effortless. Their products are crafted with the prepper mindset in mind: non-GMO, made in the USA, and packed with real ingredients that taste like home-cooked meals, not bland rations. Whether you’re stocking up for a short-term blackout or a long-haul SHTF event, our kits offer:
- Extended Shelf Life: Up to 25 years of storage, so you can buy once and forget about rotation worries.
- Nutritional Balance: High-protein entrees, fruits, vegetables, and dairy alternatives to keep your energy up and health intact.
- Ease of Preparation: Just add water, and you’ve got hearty meals like beef stroganoff, chili mac, or cheesy lasagna ready in minutes—no garden weeding required.
- Customizable Options: From individual buckets to family-sized kits, scale your supply to fit your needs and budget.
- Peace of Mind: Sealed in durable, waterproof containers that protect against pests, moisture, and light.
Unlike generic store-bought cans that spoil quickly or lack variety, Heaven’s Harvest focuses on quality and sustainability. Our food is freeze-dried or dehydrated to lock in flavor and nutrients, ensuring you’re not just surviving but thriving. And for those concerned about allergens or dietary preferences, we offer gluten-free and vegetarian options to keep everyone covered.
Why Wait? Secure Your Food Supply Today
Preparing for food emergencies doesn’t require a homestead or bunker—it requires action. By choosing long-term storage food from Heaven’s Harvest, you’re taking control in a way that fits your lifestyle. Start small with a 72-hour kit to test the waters, or go all-in with a year’s supply for ultimate security.
Visit Heaven’s Harvest today and use code “PATRIOT” for an exclusive discount on your order. Don’t let limitations hold you back; build your resilient future, one meal at a time. Your family will thank you when it matters most.
