On Morning Edition today they began a series called "Losing Our Religion." This is about the rise of the "nones," people who claim no religious affiliation. The first installment is available here: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/...h-of-the-nones
The Pew Research Center reports that 20% of Americans overall and 1/3 of those under 30 now say they have no religious affiliation. These people include both atheists, agnostics, and those who believe in God and pray regularly.
One expert interviewed said ""It begins to jump at around 1990," he says. "These were the kids who were coming of age in the America of the culture wars, in the America in which religion publicly became associated with a particular brand of politics, and so I think the single most important reason for the rise of the unknowns is that combination of the younger people moving to the left on social issues and the most visible religious leaders moving to the right on that same issue."
It seems that as religions have become more political, they have turned off younger members. I can't help but consider the new evangelization that we hear so much about and the rise of political activity among our bishops. Sometimes it seems that the Catholic Church is more about abortion, same-sex marriage, and the HHS mandate than about Jesus Christ.
Any thoughts?
The Pew Research Center reports that 20% of Americans overall and 1/3 of those under 30 now say they have no religious affiliation. These people include both atheists, agnostics, and those who believe in God and pray regularly.
One expert interviewed said ""It begins to jump at around 1990," he says. "These were the kids who were coming of age in the America of the culture wars, in the America in which religion publicly became associated with a particular brand of politics, and so I think the single most important reason for the rise of the unknowns is that combination of the younger people moving to the left on social issues and the most visible religious leaders moving to the right on that same issue."
It seems that as religions have become more political, they have turned off younger members. I can't help but consider the new evangelization that we hear so much about and the rise of political activity among our bishops. Sometimes it seems that the Catholic Church is more about abortion, same-sex marriage, and the HHS mandate than about Jesus Christ.
Any thoughts?