In the December issue of First Things, I found this fascinating little tidbit:

“Look at those thousands of people passing by on Fifth Avenue. What are they thinking about? A new nationwide survey by Beliefnet suggests that many of them may be praying, sort of. Although 6 to 8 percent of Americans say they do not believe in God, 97.5 percent say they talk to God, and 77.6 percent say they do so every day. And 72.8 percent say they talk to God ‘through prayer’ and 80.6 percent say ‘through my internal thoughts’ (13.5 percent write letters to God.) Not only that, 57.9 percent say they have argued with God, and 49.3 percent say God argues back. ‘Does God talk to you?’ Yes, with words, say 35.8 percent, and yes, without words, say 56.1 percent. God speaks and they hear a voice (23.8), God speaks through answering prayer (55.4), through dreams (43.5), through Scripture or worship (43.3), through other people (61.5), and, at the top, through an internal voice or conscience (75.7). Where do people find God ‘most accessible?’ In daily life (42.3), in nature (9.6), in meditation (15), and, at bottom, in church or other house of worship (2.5).

Fr. Neuhaus observes that these findings are roughly in keeping with other similar surveys done over the years, and goes on to note as well that 1) Americans tend to see themselves as spiritual lone rangers, 2) they are generally quite egalitarian in their spirituality, with 80% believing that all people have equal access to the divine, and 3) that they tend to be pretty confident of being on good terms with the Almighty. All of these points warrant further consideration, and perhaps I will post another thread addressing some other point. What I find most immediately striking, though, is the suggestion that so many Americans talk to a God in whom they do not believe. I can see how it might be possible for someone to be too faintheated to become a true follower, while at the same time, in moments of weakness, allowing themselves to break down and petition a higher power for help. This might reasonably explain things for the occasional tortured soul, but can 4 to 6 percent of all Americans be like this? That is puzzling to say the least.

Of course, as Neuhaus himself points out, you can’t make too much of surveys in analyzing something so complicated and delicate as the relationship between people and the divine. Maybe what these atheists mean is that, even though they don’t really believe, they still consent to mumble a sham of a prayer at Thanksgiving just to please their grandmothers. Still, it is a curious thing to consider. Even the unbeliever may at times address his Creator, and at least in this country, may not be ashamed to admit it.
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