Which religion did the Roman people want?

Despite most historical courses inherently following the main characters (as they are the ones who were written about) does any one know what the general feeling amongst Roman lay people was? It seems to me that large scale changes in religion are almost simply to keep those in power happy and feeling morally justified. To an innocent Roman farmer it whos world does not stretch far beyond his fields it would seem pagan gods of rivers and streams would be a more appealing religion than an overarching Christian god imposing worries about his eternal soul.