by Bart D. Ehrman, Psychology Today, March 26, 2020
The vast majority of Americans believe in an afterlife. According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, 72% of Americans believe a heavenly place exists “where people who have led good lives are eternally rewarded.” 58% believe that “people who have led bad lives and die without being sorry” will be eternally punished in hell. The percentages, of course, are significantly higher for religiously-affiliated Americans, and especially for Christians.