This week’s Barna Minute looks at how many Christains say they have experienced prolonged periods of doubt about their faith.

Barna’s new Spiritually Open data show that exactly half of those who are Christian or who have some Christian background or experience (50%) say they have gone through a “prolonged” period of doubt when thinking about their experiences of spirituality or Christianity. The other half say this is “somewhat true” (22%) or “not true at all” (28%).

Data also show that many Christians view doubt as a necessary part of one’s faith journey, though perhaps as a phase to move through. However, a difference exists between the occasional doubt and doubts over a prolonged period of time. There is no shortage of Christians in the later camp.