41% of Americans expect Jesus ‘to return’ by 2050

AMERICANS are largely hopeful that cancer will be cured and that computers will be able to chat with them by 2050, but they are also braced for a major energy crisis and a warming planet, according to a survey.

More than half, or 58%, fear another world war in the next 40 years and 53% expect a terrorist attack against the US using a nuclear weapon.

On a religious question, 41% say they believe Jesus Christ will return within the next 40 years, while 46% say this will definitely or probably not happen.

The poll by the Pew Research Centre for the People & the Press and Smithsonian magazine included 1,546 adults interviewed in April.

It shows Americans are in general far less hopeful than they were in 1999. In 1999, 81% said they were optimistic about life for themselves and their families. The current poll found just 64%.

Some 61% said they were optimistic about the future of the US, compared to 70% in 1999. And 56% predicted the US economy would be stronger in 40 years, compared to 64% of those polled in 1999.

Amongst other findings of the poll:

* 71% believe cancer will be cured by 2050.

* 81% believe computers will be able to converse like humans.

* 68% of those under 30 predict a world war by 2050.

* Nearly three-quarters or 74% of those polled believe it likely that “most of our energy will come from sources other than coal, oil, and gas”.

* Yet 72% believe the world is likely to experience a major worldwide energy crisis by 2050.

* 42% say it is likely that scientists will be able to tell what people are thinking by scanning their brains but 55% say this will definitely or probably not happen.

* 89% believe a woman will be elected president by 2050.

* 86% say it is at least probable most Americans will work into their 70s.