It's clear: Most Americans still consider themselves Christians.
But some things are not so clear: They have confusing, contradictory and even incompatible beliefs regarding their faith.
These findings came out from a recent online survey conducted by the evangelical research firm LifeWay Research and sponsored by the Orlando-based Ligonier Ministries, according to the Baptist Press.
In the study, which was released on Wednesday, researchers asked 47 questions on topics from prayer and the Bible to heaven and hell.
Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research, says most Americans still identify as Christians but are confused about some of the details of their faith.
For instance, he says, about two-thirds of Americans believe Jesus is God. But about half of them say Jesus is a being created by God. McConnell says those two beliefs don't seem to match.
Other findings:
■ Most Americans say God wrote the Bible. However, they're not sure everything in it is true. More than half of them (58 percent) say God is the author of the Bible. A little less than half of them (47 percent) say the Bible is 100 percent accurate in all it teaches. However, 43 percent disagree while 10 percent are not sure.
■ Two-thirds of Americans (64 percent) say the biblical accounts of the physical resurrection of Jesus are completely accurate, but a quarter (23 percent) disagree while 13 percent are not sure. Almost all of those with evangelical beliefs (98 percent) agree.
■ Americans are divided on whether the Bible is literally true. Less than half (44 percent) say the Bible is not literally true but contains helpful myths. Forty-five percent disagree. Half of them (51 percent) say the Bible is subject to interpretation by anyone. Forty percent disagree.
■ Six in 10 say every person will go to heaven. But half say only those who believe in Jesus will be saved.
■ Americans think God likes all religions, with two-thirds (64 percent) saying God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism and Islam. However, 24 percent disagree while 12 percent are not sure.
■ Americans say everybody sins, but it's not really a big problem. Two-thirds (65 percent) agree that everyone sins a little, but most people are good by nature. More than half (57 percent) say it's fair for God to show His anger against sin, but that anger is meant only for the worst sinners. Three-quarters (74 percent) of Americans disagree with the idea that even the tiniest sin deserves eternal punishment.
■ Americans believe in the Trinity but are confused on its details. Seven out of 10 (69 percent) agree there is one true God in three persons — God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Six in 10 say Jesus is both divine and human (61 percent). More than half (52 percent) say Jesus is the first and greatest being created by God. Americans are also confused with regards to the Holy Spirit. A quarter (28 percent) say the Spirit is a divine being but not equal to God the Father and Jesus. Half (51 percent) disagree while 21 percent are not sure. Also, 56 percent say the Holy Spirit is a force rather than a person.
