Faith declining in United States
UNKNOWN - The only religious tradition that's growing in the United States seems to be no religion.
"Nones," or those people who don't identify with a religious tradition, are growing in number.
A growing number of Americans simply answer "none" or "no religion" if anyone ever asks and research shows they are the fastest-growing segment of the national religious landscape.
"You do see more people moving more to non-denominational churches that don't identify necessarily with a denomination, versus a religion," said Dallas resident Kevin Canida, "So no, it doesn't surprise me at all."
These people tend to be skeptics, not outright atheists, and some experts say churches are at least partly to blame.
"When they began looking for someone that they could lean on and they could articulate spiritual values and talk about spiritual paths and prayer," said theologist Dr. Frederick Schmidt, "what they found was that Oprah was closer to being prepared to talk about those spiritual issues than the average clergy was."
A new survey by Trinity College shows that within 20 years, a quarter of Americans will claim no religious affiliation.
Some say people are just tired of church politics.
"I think people often want to have their relationship directly with God," said Dallas resident Nancy Blake. "Organized religion gets so, so organized that they feel as though they have to fulfill a number of requirements with their time and do things that are maybe uncomfortable for them."
Experts says these trends likely mean the debate about spiritual and religious values will get more complex in the decades ahead.
Interesting. I've never heard of disorganized religion. Seems as though Americans are tired of the habitual ritual. Might explain a lot about where this country is headed. I suppose we will all have to stop going to work. After all business is organized.
katie007
3 weeks agoI haven't heard that. Until a few bad priests got uncovered in Boston, I heard that Catholicism is growing, because Christianity, in the US offers people nothing sweet and positive anymore. It's more about arguing and thumbing your nose at the neighbors than it is about inspiring.
Brainy Red Neck
3 weeks agoThis has nothing to do with declining faith. Organized religion is something that is man made and clouds what faith is really about. Organized religion is the reason for declining faith and has absolutely no value as far as spirituality goes. I say good riddance to all of them! I can't believe this article states that because a person is not part of a "religion" he/she is a skeptic!? Close; but not quite an atheist? HA! WOW! Sounds like something a baptist would say.
Jonathon
3 weeks agoAll the sin in the world, our morals and life styles, ..it's a sign of the end times. Open your eyes people...America is in trouble unless we understand the signs.
Too many non-belivers and politically right politicians. Listen to God...not the Democratic Party.
donna c
4 weeks agoI agree - organized relgion needs to adapt to our changing world - moms who work 40 hours or more a week have little time to cook for the potluck supper or clean her house for the bible study group when it's her turn to host, etc., etc. - they're tired when they get home and keeping "church" in their lives on an almost daily basis has become another chore! A terrible way to feel but it's true!
Pat
4 weeks agoWell it's about time.
Brian B
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