by Megan Furner

Created on: October 19, 2009   Last Updated: October 25, 2009

According to the Gallup Poll, belief in God has always been very high in the United States, ranking in the mid-90 percent range over the last few decades. Interestingly, while 2008 findings report a 95% belief in God, only eight out of ten Americans confidently assume a Supreme Being continuously watches over them and considers their prayers. And even fewer, six in ten, recently declare complete trust in God.

Statistical support for the existence of God has surprisingly changed little after the Woodstock era God is Dead controversy surfaced. Only 5% of individuals deny the existence of God, with only 1% being absolutely certain about their statement. Other noteworthy values include the likelihood for women to believe more than men, conservatives more than liberals, and southern residents more than easterners. Also, 61% of the population seldom attends church or participates in any holy endeavors, yet still has faith in the Almighty.

However, the Gallup Poll does not ask its respondents why they believe. And even if it did, the answers would most assuredly vary. Factors essential to this variation include a person's upbringing, demographic, global modernization, character traits, and personal interest. Moreover, these variables confound the degree to which an individual finds himself able to understand God.

Personally, for example, I've come to know God since I was able to recognize my existence, parents, home, and name. The concepts of God, heaven, hell, and religion were ingrained upon my brain like basic addition and subtraction equations. Moreover, attending a Catholic elementary school trained me to lead a holy life by praying at least three times in one school day, singing fun, kid-pop versions of church songs, and labeling the anatomy of the rosary as if it was a biological specimen. My teachers, some of which were staunch nuns, adapted their teachings to my underdeveloped cortex, explaining that all involving God was good and amazing and thinking opposite was bad and foolish. This method instilled the fear of sin and its fiery, subterraneous ramifications. The latter part of my elementary study's honed in on the details of Catholicism, but still left no room for questioning. Teachers did not only disapprove of the opposition, they were cautious about the impact of their responses on still very young minds. Therefore, as far as my child self was concerned, there was a God and if I were good, I'd get to meet him in heaven.

My parents sent me to Catholic

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