Religious Affiliation in USA Continues to Decline. WHY?

[chessplayer]

I think you're giving people far too much credit here. The vast majority of non-religious are apathetic pure and simple. When you live a comfortable, consumerist lifestyle the perceived relevance of religion declines. (It's God or Mammon, always has been)

And no, the New Age had its heyday. I don't see a wide movement of people "seeing the light" and becoming theosophists or quasi-Hindus. People are too busy burying their heads in their phones and drinking their beers to care about much else.

Totally agree, comfort and security are often bad for church growth.

Christianity is not in decline in other parts of the world e.g. China has the fastest growing numbers of evangelical born again believers (between 150 and 200 million ) in the world, South Korea is almost 50% evangelical Christianity, etc etc. Even among Islamic people groups , many are converting to Christ through dreams and visions.

The modern world is rejecting the un-reality of the Western state churches ( apart from Alpha in the C of E ). Young people are not impressed with Gothic architecture and ancient organ recitals. Christianity is flourishing around the world just not in big traditional churches .

Successful expressions of active Christianity in the UK include , Alpha Course, Soul Survivour, New Frontiers Churches, Abundant Life Bradford, Destiny Glasgow. Hope Church Glasgow. Ywam , Bethel ( california ) affiliated groups. Hillsong and many more. See U Tube for Hillsong and Bethel music etc.

But it`s a battle ( Eph 6 vs 10 ) Christianity has lots of enemies and always has had them even in Jesus time on Earth, Satan showed Christ all the Kingdoms of the world in a moment of time saying " take them for they are mine to give !" The first man Adam ( literal or figurative ) had lost that authority in the garden of Eden. Christ won it back on the cross. We can know that authority through faith in the person of Christ.

 

[outhouse]

Just because people make things up, that doesn't mean that a God doesn't exist.

People don't make just "things up"


People create gods using myth, only people define myths.


People make gods, and out of thousands men have created, you agree fully with me, less the one god you have faith in despite not having an evidence at all.

Such certainty by atheists is based on blind faith as much as any divine revelation.

Factually false.

Theist logic is faith based.
Atheist logic is evidence based.

All evidence points to the fact only man writes mythology, and ancient men wrote a lot of it. Still believed today despite factual evidence of the myth being myth.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

Religiosity in the United States is in the midst of what might be called ‘The Great Decline.’ Previous declines in religion pale in comparison.
Over the past fifteen years, the drop in religiosity has been twice as great as the decline of the 1960s and 1970s.
source​

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source​

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The analyses, published this month in the journal PlosOne (link is external), reveal a seismic generational shift in religious commitment. Twice as many high school seniors, and 3 times as many college students, described their religion as “none” in the 2010s (vs. the early 1980s). Even among 8th and 10th graders, who have only been surveyed since the early 1990s, 40% to 50% fewer now affiliate with a religion.
source
​

As I said, WHY?
What are your ideas, suspicions, guesses?

The symbolic ' many waters ' of Revelation 17:1; Revelation 17:15 are likened to people - the restless sea of humanity - Isaiah 57:20
Babylon the Great ( world's religious groups being international in scope ) have Not taught what the Bible really teaches, and so ' nominal Christians ' are drying up spiritually. None of which makes the Bible as wrong, but makes the wrong teachings as wrong.
Jesus forewarned us MANY would come ' in his name ' but prove false Matthew 7:13-14; Matthew 7:21-23
As the religious leaders were corrupt in Jesus day - Matthew chapter 23 - it should come as No surprise that we have the same bad religious conditions today - Acts of the Apostles 20:29-30

 

[StopS]

I didn't verify or "see" YOU write "totally.

Ok, I give up. Everything is faith and everyone has faith. I don't, so you don't exist.

 

[StopS]

The only rational argument being made for God is the existence of the universe

How is that rational? Or an argument? It does not follow. You might get gods without universes and universes without gods.

 

[Skwim]

J

The question of the existence of a God or not, is derived from how the universe, and the Truth of its natural law, came to be.

I fail to see the significance of the universe being the source of the question of god's existence. I see the question arising because many people don't see any convincing evidence. And just what is the natural law of the question?

Since there's no evidence for either a Creator or spontaneous creation, certainty can only be completely absent for either case.

Certainty is a tall order, one science tends to stay away from. Often the most it will do is construct theories, and leave it at that. It also leaves dogmatism to religion.

Such certainty by atheists is based on blind faith as much as any divine revelation.

But it won't be regarded as certainty by atheists any more than it will be by the religious scientist. So blind faith plays no part in the acceptance of theories. Any faith it musters will be based on evidence.

 

[psychoslice]

You must have things come to you all the time. How do you choose which things to ignore and which to follow?



What is an example of the systems that are taught? And how is an experience steered to a thought system, and how is it determined what's appropriate or not?

Ever since my experience in Consciousness, that which comes to me is far less contaminated than what came to be before my experience.

 

[Unification]

I fail to see the significance of the universe being the source of the question of god's existence. I see the question arising because many people don't see any convincing evidence. And just what is the natural law of the question?

Certainty is a tall order, one science tends to stay away from. Often the most it will do is construct theories, and leave it at that. It also leaves dogmatism to religion.

But it won't be regarded as certainty by atheists any more than it will be by the religious scientist. So blind faith plays no part in the acceptance of theories. Any faith it musters will be based on evidence.

So what you're saying is that it is not wise to place all of the eggs into science since it is not certain?

It's regarded as certainty and blind faith by many atheists, not all atheists understand the basic scientific principles and what falls within the scope. Really, depends on the individual human being. Most have the mindset, "it is 100% factual and certain due to the best logical assumption."

To accept and to know are different. One is faith, one is evident. Just clever ways to decieve and lie to oneself while tring to get around having to use the word "faith."

 

[Skwim]

So what you're saying is that it is not wise to place all of the eggs into science since it is not certain?

No. What I'm saying is that science seldom considers its findings to be certainties.

It's regarded as certainty and blind faith by many atheists,

Don't know what you have in mind by your term "many," but it isn't a word I'd ever use. And any atheist who is familiar with science would regard it with blind faith.

not all atheists understand the basic scientific principles and what falls within the scope.

Yup, but so what?

Really, depends on the individual human being. Most have the mindset, "it is 100% factual and certain due to the best logical assumption."

Disagree

To accept and to know are different. One is faith, one is evident.

No they're not.

Just clever ways to decieve and lie to oneself while tring to get around having to use the word "faith."

Just like everyone else, atheists have no trouble with the word "faith." Heck, every time I drive up to a four-way intersection I will stop and, if I have the right-of-way, pull ahead having faith that the guy to my left won't T-bone me.

 

[Unification]

No. What I'm saying is that science seldom considers its findings to be certainties.

Don't know what you have in mind by your term "many," but it isn't a word I'd ever use. And any atheist who is familiar with science would regard it with blind faith.

Yup, but so what?

Disagree

No they're not.

Just like everyone else, atheists have no trouble with the word "faith." Heck, every time I drive up to a four-way intersection I will stop and, if I have the right-of-way, pull ahead having faith that the guy to my left won't T-bone me.

You're aware enough to understand such. You speak for yourself. Everyone is different.

Many hear the words "belief" and "faith" and automatically assume religion or deities, and are allergic to them and even wouldn't acknowledge the meaning to any part of their lives, living in denial.

Almost everything has a dose of faith tied into it, including science. Just a heftier assurance policy of things not seen, not certain of, or known.

 

[Daniel108]

Religiosity in the United States is in the midst of what might be called ‘The Great Decline.’ Previous declines in religion pale in comparison.
Over the past fifteen years, the drop in religiosity has been twice as great as the decline of the 1960s and 1970s.
source​

_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

source​

__________________________________________
__________________________________________

The analyses, published this month in the journal PlosOne (link is external), reveal a seismic generational shift in religious commitment. Twice as many high school seniors, and 3 times as many college students, described their religion as “none” in the 2010s (vs. the early 1980s). Even among 8th and 10th graders, who have only been surveyed since the early 1990s, 40% to 50% fewer now affiliate with a religion.
source
​

As I said, WHY?

What are your ideas, suspicions, guesses?

Reading through this thread, many reasons are given for religious decline, but most, if not all, fall within a larger heading: socio-cultural (changes in our society and culture). The overall population is largely influenced by the society they live in, and the cultural changes they make use of. Social attitudes and beliefs go through changes, as history shows us within other civilizations. Rather than saying that this, or that, factor are the cause, it's more probable that they all- more or less- played a role in the changing beliefs, values, and affiliations that have occured, and are occuring.

In the western world, society has largely changed from rural, agrarian to urban living; from slow information transfer via horse and buggy, to jet planes and near instant communications; from folklore and faith belief, to scientific enquiry; from trust in authority (religious and otherwise), to skepticism and mistrust; from belief in a higher power, to agnosticism and atheism. Yet, there has always been a core of people who do not follow the crowd, but trust in what they feel in their hearts, an unshakeable, intuitive feeling that guides them on a true course. Theologians call this inner feeling “self-authentication,” the inner confirmation or authentication that attests to the presence of truth.
,
People are still at various places and stages in finding their ways in life: some need the care and direction that religious institutions provide (which may contain real power in their rites and ceremonies), while others have found, are finding, a more direct connection to the creative intelligence residing in creation. As always, it is wise to be loving, kind, and unselfish, trusting in tolerance and the Golden Rule to guide us. And, if I may give a word to the wise: always hold fast to, and trust in, the Earth beneath your feet.

 

[outhouse]

Reading through this thread, many reasons are given for religious decline, but most, if not all, fall within a larger heading: socio-cultural (changes in our society and culture). The overall population is largely influenced by the society they live in, and the cultural changes they make use of. Social attitudes and beliefs go through changes, as history shows us within other civilizations. Rather than saying that this, or that, factor are the cause, it's more probable that they all- more or less- played a role in the changing beliefs, values, and affiliations that have occured, and are occuring.

In the western world, society has largely changed from rural, agrarian to urban living; from slow information transfer via horse and buggy, to jet planes and near instant communications; from folklore and faith belief, to scientific enquiry; from trust in authority (religious and otherwise), to skepticism and mistrust; from belief in a higher power, to agnosticism and atheism. Yet, there has always been a core of people who do not follow the crowd, but trust in what they feel in their hearts, an unshakeable, intuitive feeling that guides them on a true course. Theologians call this inner feeling “self-authentication,” the inner confirmation or authentication that attests to the presence of truth.
,
People are still at various places and stages in finding their ways in life: some need the care and direction that religious institutions provide (which may contain real power in their rites and ceremonies), while others have found, are finding, a more direct connection to the creative intelligence residing in creation. As always, it is wise to be loving, kind, and unselfish, trusting in tolerance and the Golden Rule to guide us. And, if I may give a word to the wise: always hold fast to, and trust in, the Earth beneath your feet.

Welcome.

Very well put!

 

[stevevw]

I think it is a combination of reasons why religious belief has diminished. But an interesting point is that at the same time Islam has grown a lot. Islam seems to be in non western countries so there maybe a link here in that the westernized countries that have more of a commercialized lifestyle and a freedom to live as we want have decreases in belief while countries without these things have an increase.

So maybe its the ways western societies allow people to be free to choose they beliefs and allow criticisms of religion that eat away at religion itself. Atheism views have grown and there is a belief that if it cannot be proven by the evidence then it is unreal. It seems modern life promises everything people need and so there is a belief that we can do anything and thats all that is needed.

There is almost a ridicule of anyone who believes in religion. yet funny enough many people are quite willing to believe in UFOs or new age mystical things like healing, astrology, reki, and other natural forms of mother earth beliefs. Its almost like nature has become the God and we as a part of nature are gods ourselves. Its like people are worshiping the created rather than the creator.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I think it is a combination of reasons why religious belief has diminished. But an interesting point is that at the same time Islam has grown a lot. Islam seems to be in non western countries so there maybe a link here in that the westernized countries that have more of a commercialized lifestyle and a freedom to live as we want have decreases in belief while countries without these things have an increase.

So maybe its the ways western societies allow people to be free to choose they beliefs and allow criticisms of religion that eat away at religion itself. Atheism views have grown and there is a belief that if it cannot be proven by the evidence then it is unreal. It seems modern life promises everything people need and so there is a belief that we can do anything and thats all that is needed.

There is almost a ridicule of anyone who believes in religion. yet funny enough many people are quite willing to believe in UFOs or new age mystical things like healing, astrology, reki, and other natural forms of mother earth beliefs. Its almost like nature has become the God and we as a part of nature are gods ourselves. Its like people are worshiping the created rather than the creator.

When it comes to the things you mentioned, I think the truth is more that humans are naturally pagan (i.e. non-Abrahamic). The Abrahamic religions had to be forced on the world, by and by large. So when a society has freedom of belief and freedom of religion as one of its foundations, it's only natural and expected that our non-Abrahamic instincts will emerge and come to the fore. That's not a bad thing.

 

[chessplayer]

Comfort and security - enemies of Christian faith.

The church is Zimbabwe for example is apparently booming , despite or maybe , because of their dire economic state.

People often don`t feel the need for God when things are going well .

We need to keep God through Christ as no 1 , then " all these things will be added !"

Christian character will maintain faith even in times of economic abundance and prosperity.

 

[chessplayer]

God`s plan for us imo, is that , He wants us to freely love Him , not under coercion or pressure.

Our time here on earth ( a brief moment in eternity ) is where we decide if we want to spend forever with Him or not.

When our hands are so full of things ( false , unrewarding gods ) then we close our ears to our inbuilt voice or conscience and miss our purpose.

 

[ThePainefulTruth]

People don't make just "things up".

Really, that's your position?

People create gods using myth, only people define myths.

People make gods, and out of thousands men have created, you agree fully with me, less the one god you have faith in despite not having an evidence at all.

I have no faith any the existence of God or no god. It's an unknowable thing, and it will almost certainly remain that way.

How is that rational? Or an argument? It does not follow. You might get gods without universes and universes without gods.

Yes, you certainly might, which is why nobody can claim certain knowledge, or knowledge of any type, about God, since all we have so fare is 100% hearsayi.

I fail to see the significance of the universe being the source of the question of god's existence. I see the question arising because many people don't see any convincing evidence.

See above.

And just what is the natural law of the question?

OK, now I know you're pulling my leg.

Ever since my experience in Consciousness, that which comes to me is far less contaminated than what came to be before my experience.

How is the world (universe) do you know that? What are delusions and hallucinations if not mental contamination?

 

[LeannaBard]

I think there are several possible explanations, more than one of which might be correct.

First, I think easy access to educational material, different perspectives, etc. on the internet plays a big part. When someone has a profound question, instead of taking the word of someone else on faith, they can research the answer for their self, and fewer people require a religious answer when there are natural explanations available as an alternative. For those who were already religious, the internet can lead to finding information that contradicts what they believe and lead to them changing their beliefs once they encounter new information.

Second, I think there is becoming less of a stigma against admitting you don't have a religion. In the past, and for many people today, it was social suicide to deny the religion popular in your area. There are certainly more places today where people just don't care if you are religious or what religion you adhere to. I think this trend will continue, because I know there are still plenty of places where atheists or otherwise not religious people are afraid to let anyone find out for fear of being ostracized or picked on. As the stigma goes away more and more, people who have been non-religious all along will just admit it where they have been lying on these types of polls.

Third, I think people feel less of a need to be associated with particular religious practices or parishes. Not all these people who "left religion" stopped believing in God or stopped practicing their religion in their own way. They may not have a name for their beliefs, and they may not have a building to gather in on particular days of the week, so they don't call themselves religious anymore. But I think the number of people who are still theists or deists is still larger than these polls may reveal.

Fourth, I think people no longer want to be associated with religious organizations because, in America, some of them hae become quite embarrassing. For former members of fundamentalist Christianity, whose churches denied science, opposed homosexuals having equal rights, treat women as inferiors, and so on, being associate with that religion any longer makes them feel like a part of something they don't support or approve of. Some people may find a different religion to associate with, and some may drop it altogether and go their own way.

 

[psychoslice]

psychoslice said: ↑
Ever since my experience in Consciousness, that which comes to me is far less contaminated than what came to be before my experience.
Click to expand...
ThePainefulTruth; How is the world (universe) do you know that? What are delusions and hallucinations if not mental contamination?

I know it because I have experienced it, you must experience it for yourself, because whatever way I try to describe it to you, I must use concepts which can never be that which I am trying to describe.

 

[outhouse]

It's an unknowable thing, and it will almost certainly remain that way.

Actually the mythology is very well known. There is no mystery here, just a lack of education on the topic of the evolution of the god concepts.