Barna/CRC: Americans’ Views of Moral Truth ‘Contradictory, Unbiblical’

[Hol]

From the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University

GLENDALE, AZ (May 15, 2025) — A new national study shows that most Americans no longer believe in absolute moral truth, and instead rely on feelings and cultural norms to make moral decisions.

This shift in belief has resulted in most Americans holding “contradictory and unbiblical views about moral truth,” according to the latest report from the American Worldview Inventory 2025, an annual survey from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University.

The report from veteran researcher Dr. George Barna found that 74% of adults trust feelings over facts to discern moral truth, two-thirds reject absolute moral truth, and nine out of 10 embrace Syncretism—a blending of competing worldviews.

Even substantial majorities of some of the largest Christian church groups reject absolute morality, signaling a deep cultural shift away from biblical principles. For example, 69% of Catholics and 61% of those who attend a mainline Protestant church reject the idea of absolute moral truth.

Beyond that, the study found that half of theologically-identified born-again Christians—adults considered spiritually conservative and a cornerstone of evangelical Christianity—admit to rejecting absolute moral truth.

According to Barna, CRC Director of Research, the findings raise significant concerns about the long-term implications of this shift in belief for the nation’s moral and spiritual foundations.

“Accepting all truths as equally valid cannot help but dig a deep foundation of chaos, confusion, and helplessness,” Barna explained.

An earlier report from the AWVI 2025 noted that two out of three American adults currently reject or doubt the existence of absolute moral truth. This new report shows that this trend is especially pronounced among younger adults and minority populations, but is also widespread within Christian communities.

Perhaps most concerning, the report highlights that parents of children under age 13 are among the most likely to reject absolute moral truth—a trend that raises red flags about how the next generation will be shaped morally and spiritually.

As Americans increasingly reject moral truth, the leading source for moral guidance is their feelings. A full 74% of adults say they trust their emotional response to determine right from wrong. By comparison, only 44% consult the Bible, and even fewer rely on laws and public policies (41%), scientific or mathematical reasoning (40%), or cultural traditions (39%), the study found.

Barna/CRC: Americans’ Views of Moral Truth ‘Contradictory, Unbiblical’ - Arizona Christian University

From the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University GLENDALE, AZ (May 15, 2025) — A new national study shows that most Americans no longer believe in absolute moral truth, and instead rely on feelings and cultural norms to make moral decisions. This shift in belief has resulted in...

www.arizonachristian.edu

 

[Margery]

sad!

 

[TCC]

In part I believe we have become the generation of culture norm morality as a result of being guided by globalist woke shaping over decades. To me, it would be a proof of how embedded into the globalist agenda we have fallen for over the decades. Of course, it is also very true that as we near the end of the age, this sort of thing would occur. For it had been prophesied to occur. In respect to Macarthur's passing, he noted America as so far gone he likened it to a Romans 1 apostate. With no possibility of return.

My general sense on that is that Macarthur is correct. "No Senate vote can save of us from that." It is a matter of the human heart. A condition of allowing sin and pervision to reign. A debauched era for sure. On that note though, most evenagelicals don't really hold to some sense of a revival in our age. I must admit I tend to agree with that. But with one caveat. The place I hold for a "but God" potential supercedes foregone conclusion. It may be innacurate. But as a belwether referent, we are also alive in an age where it has never been greater, a time when the Muslim faith is converting to Christiantiy. For about a decade now. And even in countermeasure of the Abraham Accords being a thing. That still small voice, yet prevails in the undercurrent. Some things perhaps to consider as well. Blessings.

 

[Margery]

The place I hold for a "but God" potential supercedes foregone conclusion. It may be innacurate. But as a belwether referent, we are also alive in an age where it has never been greater, a time when the Muslim faith is converting to Christiantiy. For about a decade now. And even in countermeasure of the Abraham Accords being a thing. That still small voice, yet prevails in the undercurrent.

BIG Amen!

 

[mattfivefour]

To me it is not surprising that many Americans do not hold to a biblical worldview since they have never been exposed to a biblical worldview. Most homes are not truly Christian and fewer and fewer churches seem to be.

 

[dwb]

instead rely on feelings and cultural norms to make moral decisions.

This will be the downfall of any civilization. Sometimes hard decisions must be made for a society or groups as a whole, even if those decisions may negatively affect some individuals. We see this everywhere today.

I do think that 74% who believe this way is incorrect. If that were true, Donald trump would not have been elected POTUS. Of course, the polling base may have been chosen for a particular result (why I don't trust polls).

 

[Hol]

that 74% who believe this way is incorrect. If that were true, Donald trump would not have been elected POTUS.

I hope you’re right.

 

[lismore]

From the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University

GLENDALE, AZ (May 15, 2025) — A new national study shows that most Americans no longer believe in absolute moral truth, and instead rely on feelings and cultural norms to make moral decisions.

A sign of the times and a sign that we're in the End Times. I have been detecting this in the church in this country for a long time. Charismatic believers used to say 'I feel the Lord is saying', which to me seemed very subjective and the church has been following the culture for a long time rather than trying to be counter cultural, as the gospel should be. God Bless All

 

[Hol]

the church has been following the culture for a long time rather than trying to be counter cultural, as the gospel should be.

You’re right.

We’re in a leaky boat bailing water instead of plugging the holes.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

This is what happens when Pastors can't or won't lead, don't teach and Preach the Bible in its entirety, fail to ensure that age-and-knowledge-appropriate teaching and preaching occurs, fail to ensure new sheep are properly taught, understand, and believe before membership, fail to shepherd, won't enforce Church discipline, and won't confront and excise apostasy and heresy.
This is what happens when Elders, Parish Presidents, and Voters' Assemblies can't or won't hold Pastors accountable, or provide the necessary support and resources for the Pastor to do his job, or confront and excise apostasy and heresy.
This is what happens when Seminaries fail to properly instruct and hold Seminary students accountable, and fail to confront and excise apostasy and heresy.
This what happens when denominations and churches fail to properly vet Pastors and other church workers, and hold them accountable.
This is what happens when Pastors, Elders, Parish Presidents, Deacons, Deaconesses, Teachers, and other Church workers and volunteers fail to be salt and light and engage in The Great Commission, regardless of what society thinks, says, or does (compromise kills).

 

[Andiamo]

They took the Ten Commandments out of schools. There are no standards and they feel that even God has no standards. Appalling.