The show “Resurrection” tells the story of people in a small town returning from the dead. After a slow start, it’s gaining more followers and is actually doing well for ABC, according to the latest surveys, with more of that
The show “Resurrection” tells the story of people in a small town returning from the dead. After a slow start, it’s gaining more followers and is actually doing well for ABC, according to the latest surveys, with more of that 18-49 age range tuning in. Folks are finding they like the storyline of people defeating death.
Then, we have the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which millions of Christians around the world will celebrate today, Easter Sunday. They’ll attend church services, listen to sermons, sing along with music and visit with newcomers and regulars joining them in the pews.
The source of their praise and prayer and rounds of hallelujahs are the Bible accounts of Jesus, his life, his death and his rising from the dead. Historians generally agreed this man, Jesus, walked the Earth some 2,000 years ago and yes, he had many followers. But did he do what no one else did or has ever done, rise after being dead for three days?
TGI asked that question in its online poll: “On Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Do you believe in the resurrection of Christ?”
We offered these three options for an answer:
• Yes. I believe without seeing. Jesus rose from the dead three days after being crucified.
• No. The Bible has lots of stories that can’t be verified. They’re really just fairy tales.
• Maybe. You have to show me some evidence outside the Bible.
Responses so far are evenly split between yes and no, with a few maybes in there, too.
Another survey last year released by the Rasmussen Reports polling firm on Good Friday found that 64 percent of Americans believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead.
While Americans who believe in the resurrection remain in the majority, that number is down significantly when compared to a Rasmussen Poll that asked the same question two years ago.
On April 7, 2012, Rasmussen released a poll finding that 77 percent of Americans believed the resurrection of Christ to be historical fact.
“The difference between the two polls shows a 13 percentage point drop in the number of Americans who believe that Christ rose from the dead, since last Easter.
And last year’s poll found that 19 percent of Americans reject the central tenet of the Christian faith and do not believe that Christ was resurrected. That’s compared to only 7 percent who said they didn’t believe that Christ rose from the dead a year ago, a 12 percentage point jump.
Ironic, at least a little, Americans are tuning in more to a fictional TV show on people returning from the dead, and at the same time, tuning out that Christ did exactly that 2,000 years ago. Maybe the Bible has the same credibility as television when it comes to what people believe to be true.
That’s enough about surveys and TV shows.
On this Easter Sunday, we hope you spend a joy-filled day sharing your love and faith with family and friends.
