oui
Study reveals more Americans have no religion
Posted on: 03/09/2009 10:30
More Americans say they have no religion
By RACHEL ZOLL, AP Religion Writer – Mon Mar 9, 12:14 am ET
AP – Children walk back to their pews after listening to the reading of a religious story at the foot of the …
A wide-ranging study on American religious life found that the Roman Catholic population has been shifting out o of the Northeast to the Southwest, the percentage of Christians in the nation has declined and more people say they have no religion at all.
Fifteen percent of respondents said they had no religion, an increase from 14.2 percent in 2001 and 8.2 percent in 1990, according to the American Religious Identification Survey.
Northern New England surpassed the Pacific Northwest as the least religious region, with Vermont reporting the highest share of those claiming no religion, at 34 percent. Still, the study found that the numbers of Americans with no religion rose in every state.
"No other religious bloc has kept such a pace in every state," the study's authors said.
In the Northeast, self-identified Catholics made up 36 percent of adults last year, down from 43 percent in 1990. At the same time, however, Catholics grew to about one-third of the adult population in California and Texas, and one-quarter of Floridians, largely due to Latino immigration, according to the research.
Nationally, Catholics remain the largest religious group, with 57 million people saying they belong to the church. The tradition gained 11 million followers since 1990, but its share of the population fell by about a percentage point to 25 percent.
Christians who aren't Catholic also are a declining segment of the country.
In 2008, Christians comprised 76 percent of U.S. adults, compared to about 77 percent in 2001 and about 86 percent in 1990. Researchers said the dwindling ranks of mainline Protestants, including Methodists, Lutherans and Episcopalians, largely explains the shift. Over the last seven years, mainline Protestants dropped from just over 17 percent to 12.9 percent of the population.
The report from The Program on Public Values at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., surveyed 54,461 adults in English or Spanish from February through November of last year. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 0.5 percentage points. The findings are part of a series of studies on American religion by the program that will later look more closely at reasons behind the trends.
The current survey, being released Monday, found traditional organized religion playing less of a role in many lives. Thirty percent of married couples did not have a religious wedding ceremony and 27 percent of respondents said they did not want a religious funeral.
About 12 percent of Americans believe in a higher power but not the personal God at the core of monotheistic faiths. And, since 1990, a slightly greater share of respondents — 1.2 percent — said they were part of new religious movements, including Scientology, Wicca and Santeria.
The study also found signs of a growing influence of churches that either don't belong to a denomination or play down their membership in a religious group.
Respondents who called themselves "non-denominational Christian" grew from 0.1 percent in 1990 to 3.5 percent last year. Congregations that most often use the term are megachurches considered "seeker sensitive." They use rock style music and less structured prayer to attract people who don't usually attend church. Researchers also found a small increase in those who prefer being called evangelical or born-again, rather than claim membership in a denomination.
Evangelical or born-again Americans make up 34 percent of all American adults and 45 percent of all Christians and Catholics, the study found. Researchers found that 18 percent of Catholics consider themselves born-again or evangelical, and nearly 39 percent of mainline Protestants prefer those labels. Many mainline Protestant groups are riven by conflict over how they should interpret what the Bible says about gay relationships, salvation and other issues.
The percentage of Pentecostals remained mostly steady since 1990 at 3.5 percent, a surprising finding considering the dramatic spread of the tradition worldwide. Pentecostals are known for a spirited form of Christianity that includes speaking in tongues and a belief in modern-day miracles.
Mormon numbers also held steady over the period at 1.4 percent of the population, while the number of Jews who described themselves as religiously observant continued to drop, from 1.8 percent in 1990 to 1.2 percent, or 2.7 million people, last year. Researchers plan a broader survey on people who consider themselves culturally Jewish but aren't religious.
The study found that the percentage of Americans who identified themselves as Muslim grew to 0.6 percent of the population, while growth in Eastern religions such as Buddhism slightly slowed.
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On the Net:
Survey results: http://www.americanreligionsurvey-aris.org/
Comments
Arminius
Posted on: 03/09/2009 10:59
Hi oui:
In Canda, the percentage with no religious affiliation would probably be higher than in the United States. Most of the people I know indentify themselves as "spiritual but not religious."
If organized religion became more relevant, that is less dogmatic and doctrinal, and more experientially, actively, and creatively spiritual, then it could, perhaps, halt the downward slide, or even reverse it.
There seems to be a spiritual hunger out there which organized religion is less and less able to fulfill. They ran out of "Bread of Life," eh?
ronny5
Posted on: 03/09/2009 11:09
I read an article about that (can't remember where)..... A lot of americans believe in god but choose no faith because of the people who make up the faith. They look at say a particular evangelical parish, and they think the parisheners are gyocrites and don't practice what they preach. I agree with them. I see a lot of hypocritcal people of faith. A guy I work with..... he is Christian reformed. He dirnks, gambles, swears (and uses the lords name in vain), has unmarried sex, parties, but on sunday he goes to church. When I said to him that as far as I was concerned he is a heathen like the rest of us 6 days a week but a good devout christian on sunday. He was surprised and asked, "is that really what you think of me?" And I said yes. He was really shocked but my statement. IF you know christian reformed, they are staunch bible thumpers.
tonton
Posted on: 03/09/2009 14:57
we'll did you know that bible prophecies says that in the last days there would be a great falling away from the church and that lying doctrines would go across the earth to fool the very elect of god's people. it is written. the prophecies are so accurate it scares unbelievers to death. many of them don't understand they don't have to be scared they just have to believe.the bible says that man would worship the creation more than the creator. which is sin. well its here in all its glory. But what so great about the prophecies is, it also says though these false teachings seem to be wiping out christians like flies. And believe me it is very intentional. the bibles says yet the new church will emerge and it would be called the faithful and true. And thats happening. most people that are in relationship with god, will not allow you to call it a religion because they know that there walk with god is a true walk. not a bunch of ceremonial, ritualistic stuff that makes them feel temporarially gooey inside. Its a truth. we did not come from rats, cats, statues, rocks. The dictionary defines a bastard as a child that does not know who there father is. well we can see alot of that these days. its easier to worship a tree because a tree is not going to place the true gift of conviction on us, which causes us to straighten up, look at the condition of our hearts. look at the sometime rotten things that we can do and justify them. A tree does not mind. or a rat, rock or statue, therefore there is no growth. thats why some of the most wicked oppressors in high places have no problem with some of these pagan beliefs. because there is no conviction causing them to change spiritually in their hearts. so this makes them free to do anything, sometimes making decisions for the masses that would destroy homes, families and our economy. yet they go home and do some ritual of incense, water offerings or worst and continue the same behavior the next day at the expense of innocent people. the bibles states that we are not wrestling against flesh and blood but wicked principalities and spirits in high places. it also says that many would say lord lord but will be none of his. there are even many leaders that claim to be christians yet when you do the research you find that they have been a part of a satanic movement within the government. also. now there are satanist obtaining college degrees in bible studies then starting christian churches inserting lies and causing confusion. If it's not true why are thousands even millions trying desperately to dismantle it. Its because they are afraid that they will fail at trying and they fear judgement. but Jesus said he did not come to judge the world but to save it. Mankind is living according to there will, which has caused a seperation between man and god. we can verify that by just looking at all the darkness mankind is cooking up according to their will. but jesus said he came to reconcile man back with god. but they refuse. so the falling away from church religion is a prophecy that is powerful and lets us know that god's word is true. we see the deteriation of the spirit of god in man everyday. now we find some that believe that man could think their way out of sin. a higher conscieousness. the problem is not intellectual the bible says the knowledge of man would increase in the last days. and it is. the problem is spiritual. we are spiritual sick. and will not rely on the holy spirit that has been commissioned to help us. The bible says that the spirit of conviction is a gift. It causes us to go beyond pride and see the junk in ourselves and if we really want to please god we begain to change. Yet everybody said crucify him. Not knowing that It's just a blessing when we understand where our help comes from. I love you. be blessed
InannaWhimsey
Posted on: 03/09/2009 14:37
America,
always at the forefront of innovation :3
I can't wait to see what else she spawns,
Inannawhimsey
Kinst
Posted on: 03/09/2009 14:43
chansen
Posted on: 03/09/2009 15:03
It is also written that the Angel Moroni talked to Joseph Smith, that our bodies are hosts for Thetans, and that I can be rich if I just wire $10,000 to Mr. Gogo George in Nigeria (a real paper letter I received recently - addressed to me).
People have been writing things for an awfully long time. We have libraries full of things that were written - some more convincing than others. If you have read a book and have interpreted from it that the world is ending and you can find some tenuous corroborating evidence that agrees with this prediction, then I would suggest you read your horoscope, and then the other 11 horoscopes, to see how easy it is to "predict" with vague references.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Posted on: 03/09/2009 15:49
Oui
A very interesting article.
I think it means that people are exploring their own, personal spiritual paths and, for various reasons, are fed up with organized religion.
Mate
Posted on: 03/09/2009 16:57
I guess I am now a pagan or heather. I drink, sometimes though I think less than Jesus did; I swear occasionally but I fail to see how "sh-t or any of those other choice words that do not use God's name are taking his name in vain, I think that sex is fine though I am monogonous. Seems to me God created us with sex as part of our makeup. I guess it is supposed to increase the species, sometimes. Now party, hey can I go for that. Many of our congregation, but not all, go to the pub after church on Sunday. On occassion I've been known to have a "communion" beer. I know that Jesus drank wine. The Greek is very explict about that. LOL
Actually this view that tonton expresses is a view that developed since the reformation. It is not the view of the early church or the church of the apostles. I have no problem with those who hold that view but it is one based on fear. This is not the view of the carpenter from Nazareth who taught us that love of God and our fellow neighbours are the principles on which are based are of the law and the prophets. This is not the view of the carpenter from Nazareth who gave us the parable in Matt. 25.
As for the "last days" the following speaks for itself
http://www.sullivan-county.com/nf0/y2k/bible_ca.htm
Shalom
Mate
Mate
Posted on: 03/09/2009 16:56
I think James is on the right track in his thinking.
Shalom
Mate
Mate
Posted on: 03/09/2009 17:22
I was just thinking about the comment about cats and rats. In the genome code we are very closely related to the rat every bit as much as we are closely related to the other primates. I'll be a monkey's uncle! LOL
Shalom
Mate
sighsnootles
Posted on: 03/09/2009 17:24
james has it too, imho...
tonton, while you are seeing people 'falling away from the church', it doesn't mean that they are also falling away from god.
for example, when i left the catholic church, it was not because i grew jaded about god, but because i was sick and tired of being told that i was unequal to a man. i know many other women who have done the same thing, and we follow god and jesus more now than ever, even though we don't worship in a church every sunday.
Atheisto
Posted on: 03/09/2009 17:24
Tonton...please PM me....I actually own Australia and can sell it to you really cheap!
ronny5
Posted on: 03/10/2009 00:48
In Christian reformed churches that stuff is frowned upon. They even do shunning......
spockis53
Posted on: 03/10/2009 17:27
TonTon,
Read more, think more, write less. Wasted pixels are just that.
LL&P
SPock
chansen
Posted on: 03/11/2009 08:38
TonTon,
Read more, think more, write less. Wasted pixels are just that.
I would settle for #3.
Birthstone
Posted on: 03/11/2009 08:45
In Christian reformed churches that stuff is frowned upon. They even do shunning......
True - whether God thinks so or not
southpaw
Posted on: 03/11/2009 09:03
Having no identifiable 'religion' doesn't preclude or exclude a personal relationship with God nor indicate an absence of a belief system. Some people refused to be pigeon-holed or categorized. I agree with Arminius that some people identify themselves as 'spiritual but not religious'. Distrust against institutions that gained momentum during the 1960's continues today. Statistics are only as useful as their application and interpretation.
Murtylemae
Posted on: 03/11/2009 09:15
I wonder if our chruches have become too much like clubs. Too much flag waving. Are we serving the needs of the people or are we just trying to pay the bills? Myself, I have had to go outside the church to fill my cup. The I return refreshed and renewed to try to meet the needs within my church. This seems backward. I wonder how others feel.
ronny5
Posted on: 03/11/2009 09:24
Birthstone, I am too tireed to party aswell most of the time. well, except for when my band plays a show, then I party. I don't think any of the things I listed as bad. I think it is all how you perception.
Southpaw, I agree with you. People should move out of the churches and take on their own faiths. Stop giving money to corrupt churches. Let them collapse. I think spirituality comes from within, not how loud and proud you can shout out your churches stance on issues or the stupid crap that a lot preachers spout out, especially inthe USA