Majority of Christians Say Doing ‘Good Things’ Is Enough to Reach Heaven, Poll Shows

December 9, 2025

The Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University has released a new study showing a majority of self-described Christians believe that doing “good things” for others is enough to gain entry into heaven.

Christianity Daily reports that the findings in its recent American Worldview Inventory 2025 appear to show significant confusion over core Christian doctrines and beliefs about the afterlife.

One of the key findings of the survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, was that 53% of self-identified Christians surveyed agree that “A person who is generally good, or does enough good things for others, will earn a place in Heaven.”

Among Catholic respondents, that number rose to 73%, with under 40% of Evangelicals, Mainline Protestants, Pentecostals and non-denominational Christians saying they agreed with the statement.

According to Christianity Daily, the survey also revealed widely varying views on salvation with 54% of Catholic respondents agreeing with the statement “There are many paths to eternal salvation; you can choose whichever one you prefer.”

Under 40% percentage of self-identified Christians, Evangelicals, Mainline Protestants, Pentecostals, Protestants and independent/non-denominational Christians said they agreed.

CRC Director of Research George Barna warned, “There remains a shocking degree of misunderstanding among Christians regarding sin, repentance, forgiveness and salvation.”

Barna added, “Tens of millions of people who attend Christian churches every week, and who consider themselves to be followers of Christ and eternally secure, do not seem to understand that repentance is necessary for salvation, and repentance demands a change in behavior.”

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