Along with politics, religion tends to be one of the most complicated topics that can be brought up in conversation. Even people who identify as part of the same religious group might have wildly different views on aspects of their beliefs, like the concept of heaven, the existence of a higher power as described in holy texts, and how these viewpoints impact morality. A recent study conducted by Ipsos, a French multinational market research and consulting firm, has revealed many fascinating details about global views on religion. Explore these details to gain perspective on these findings.

Believing in a Higher Power

Abrahamic religions such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are centered around the concept of a singular higher power dictating the existence and flow of the universe. Though this monotheistic viewpoint might seem straightforward, followers of each religion actually have split ideas about God. For this Ipsos study, people from various religions across 26 countries were surveyed. Of these individuals, about 40% stated that they believe their god exists exactly how the entity is described in their holy texts. 

However, roughly 20% of those polled believe that God exists in a form that is entirely different from what their scriptures say. Beyond this, almost 25% of respondents do not believe in any type of higher power whatsoever. Interestingly, certain countries tend to have stronger beliefs in God as depicted in holy books. Residents of Turkey and Brazil, for example, view God as literally described, while people in South Korea and France have more liberal takes on their deities. 

Shifting Views Between Generations

The internet loves to pump out content about the vast differences between generations. When it comes to religion, these divergences are on full display. According to research, Baby Boomers tend to identify as Christian in significantly higher numbers than members of Generation Z. In fact, a vast majority of those who are considered Millennials and part of Generation Z do not identify as any specific religion. However, it is interesting to note that younger people are converting to Islam at a higher rate than ever before.

One of the more fascinating aspects of these findings is that these generational gaps exist in every nation where this research was conducted. As a whole, younger people are less interested in religion than their parents and grandparents. 

Viewing God as a Way To Cope With Life

Individuals who were questioned for this research were also asked to agree or disagree with a variety of statements. One such statement was, “My belief in a higher power makes it easier for me to overcome obstacles like sickness and disasters.” A vast majority of people who believe in some type of god also believe that this connection to a higher power gives them strength to deal with the trials and tribulations of life. In general, 76% of people polled held this belief. 

Finding Meaning in Religion

Another finding revealed by this study is that a large number of people who identify as a part of a religious group also believe that this connection gives their lives meaning. Still, some countries had higher numbers of individuals who felt this way. In South Africa, Brazil, and Colombia, upwards of 85% of people held this belief. Conversely, less than 50% of residents of Japan and Hungary who believe in a higher power also believe that religion adds meaning to daily life.  

Discovering Common Ground

Although religion can often be a divisive topic, it is interesting to take a closer look at how spiritual beliefs can shape the way people view the world as a whole. There is comfort to be found in the fact that people around the world hold similar beliefs when it comes to their religious identities.