There’s an old saying that warns us not to discuss three things in polite conversation: politics, money and religion.
Unless you’re the sort of person who thrives on combative argument and confrontation, that is probably still good advice. But not discussing it does not prevent us from having our own opinions and beliefs when it comes to these topics.
And even if you are reluctant to raise the topics, human nature suggests you probably at least wonder in your own mind what friends and colleagues would have to say on certain subjects if they could speak without fear of pushback.
Read: What Aussies say about religion and politics
One of the ‘taboo’ questions you might ask is: “Do you think Jesus was a real person?” Well it turns out that an organisation known as NCLS (National Church Life Survey) has done that, so you don’t have to.
In the latest Australian Community Survey, released by NCLS, the numbers indicate that half of all Australians believe Jesus was a real person who lived at a time and place in history.
Twenty per cent of Australians believe Jesus to be a mythical or fictional character, while 30 per cent said they didn’t know.
The 50 per cent who believe Jesus was real accords with the Census figures released this month by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The Census, conducted last August, found the most common religions were:
- Christianity (43.9%)
- No religion (38.9%)
- Islam (3.2%)
- Hinduism (2.7%)
- Buddhism (2.4%).
The difference of roughly 6 per cent between those who claim to be Christian and those who believe Jesus was a real person could be explained by some of the non-Christian respondents believing Jesus was a real person, but not God or the son of God.
Read: ‘No religion’ is Australia’s second-largest religious group
Interestingly, the NCLS found that only two in 10 of those surveyed accept Jesus was divine or God in human form, but 44 per cent believe in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead in some way.
NCLS research director Ruth Powell said the numbers indicated two things: “First, there is a knowledge gap about Jesus and the Christian faith, especially among young Australians. Second, there’s a low acceptance of orthodox Christian beliefs.”
The Australian Community Survey also questioned respondents about church attendance, and found that 21 per cent attend a religious service regularly (defined as once a month).
Perhaps surprisingly, the 50 to 64-year age group recorded the lowest numbers in this area, with just 11 per cent reporting regular attendance, compared to 19 per cent of those aged 65 and older.
Read: Bringing religion to the people
The surprising part is that the figure rises for age groups younger than 50. Those aged 35 to 49 reported a 19 per cent attendance, but the figure was as high as 32 per cent in the 18 to 34 range.
These results appear to contradict the ABS report, which states: “Over the past 50 years, there has been a steady decline in the proportion of Australians who reported an affiliation with Christianity.”
The Census is, of course, a much broader survey, taking in the vast majority of Australians, with the NCLS relying on the responses of 1300 online participants.
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Jesus was – AND STILL IS – a real person, both God and the son of God.
And He will be returning soon to clean up all the evil on the earth!
Not supported by real science !!
Whatever your personal decision is about Jesus, it is well worth taking the time to get to know Him. I had 39 years without knowing and 30 much better years since. Everyone is different but He is always the same.
Jesus was a man but not God or his son. Jesus was active in his life as a family man.
Ahhh – so Ron you “DO” believe Jesus was a man – AND you do believe that there is a God – but you don’t believe they were related?
That’s really interesting! One day – you will be able to chat to Him about that – and I think you will be very surprised. I pray that you have a really good lawyer?
You see not only the Bible states that He is The Messiah, but lots of independent witnesses – like Flavius Josephus (a “non-Christian” historian and Scribe), Tacitus – a Roman historian and Senator, also report on His life and death. Jesus did die on the Cross – as there are thousands of references to that fact, BUT – the biggest surprise, was that He rose again on the third day, and the Roman guards of His tomb were threatened with death if anything happened to Him. He was seen over the next few days and weeks by thousands of people – some who even witnessed His death and burial.
Unfortunately, NONE of the other religious leaders are alive to see how their religions are going – as they are all looking up at the roots of the daisies!! Even the people that Jesus healed while he was alive – including the ones that He brought back to life – are also all dead! BUT HE LIVES!!
I really enjoyed the article on whether Jesus is indeed the ‘Son of God’. It was well written and provided some relevant statistics to consider. While I personally believe Jesus is who He claimed to be, He also indicated in His teachings why many would not believe in Him. In John 6:44, Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day”. The Father drew me to Jesus through a personal revelation of Him in a vision. For that, I am thankful. But I can also extend grace to those who have not, for whatever reason, have not had an experience of the ‘drawing’ revelation of God. I suggest anyone who has difficulty believing should simply ask God, if Jesus is really your Son, would you reveal Him to me in some way? You have nothing to lose, and much to gain from asking this simple question.