re atheists and agnostic "infiltrating" Christian churches? The Barna Research Group of Ventura, California suggests that we are, and reports that a new study "shows that hundreds of thousands of adults who are atheists or agnostics attend Christian churches."

   In a little-noticed press release last month, Barna -- which specializes in polling issues of interest to religious groups -- said that its data suggests "roughly 7% of the adult population -- approximately 14 million people -- describe themselves as atheistic or agnostic." The report adds that this is a larger population segment than Jews, Muslims or even Mormons. The figures fit in the middle of a range of studies done by Gallup and other polling organizations, showing anywhere from 3 percent to 10 percent of Americans using a term like "atheist," "agnostic" or "skeptic" to describe their philosophical orientation.

   Barna, though, is the first research group to suggest that atheists flock to churches -- at least at certain times of the year. A study conducted during the Easter season, for instance, found that "the number of atheists and agnostics who attend Christian churches swells to six times the norm on Easter Sunday." Even so, only about 2% of those who consider themselves atheists or agnostics head for the pews.

   Reflecting some confusion over definitions, the Barna report added "many of these individuals describe themselves incorrectly. Many atheists are actually agnostics -- they believe in some type of deity, but are indifferent about the existence of a divine being... Likewise, many self-proclaimed agnostics are actually atheists -- individuals who contend that there is no deity of any type..."

   In it's "Demographic Profile of American Atheists and Agnostics," Barna's data showed that men were more likely to be nonbelievers than woman, 64% and 36% respectively. "Baby Busters" and "Baby Boomers" accounted for the bulk of the "Atheists and Agnostics," 51% and 31%, followed by "Builders and Seniors" at 17%. 34% of the nonbelievers were college graduates, as opposed to 22% in the general population.

   Barna suggests that 30% of nonbelievers are "Liberal" as opposed to 15% of Americans in general, with 21% of nonbelievers in the "Conservative" category, as contrasted with 31% of the overall population. Most "Atheists and Agnostics" reside in the geographical Northeast (29%) followed by the West (27%), Central states region (23%) and the South (19%).

   Ethnically, 71% of the nonbelievers are White, 7% listed as Black, and 11% as Hispanic.

   Barna's most intriguing claim, though, and possibly one showing a lack of understanding, is the contention that "Many atheists and agnostics possess theological perspectives that parallel the beliefs of Christians." Incredibly, Barna says that "Most atheists and agnostics believe that Heaven exists -- although some of them also contend that one gets there on the basis of good deeds." Other nonbelievers supposedly believe in the accuracy of the Bible (13%); that the devil is "a living force that influences people's lives (15%); and most outrageous of all, the claim that "About one out of five atheists and agnostics (19%) pray to God during a typical week."

   George Barna, the firm's founder, suggested that "Church leaders need to understand this group (Atheists and Agnostics) better," and claims that the two segments of nonbelievers "are struggling to find meaning in life, to have significant relationships with other people, to influence the lives of others, and live a moral life -- the very types of issues that Christian churches strive to address." Barna adds that "The better Christian ministries can help atheists and agnostics understand that the answers they are seeking are ultimately spiritual in nature..."

   Any consideration of Barna's claims, though, should take into account the fact that some surveys conducted by the firm may involve inflated claims, methodological flaws or other problems. In March, for instance, Barna announced the results of a "study" suggesting that huge numbers of Americans listened to Christian radio programming. The findings were at odds with numerous other surveys and ratings, including Duncan's American Radio report.

   Barna's firm does marketing research for the Billy Graham Ministry, The Navigators, Bill Bright's Campus Crusade for Christ and several other major religious groups.

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