Americans Change Faiths at Rising Rate

[dgriffin]

Americans Change Faiths at Rising Rate
New York Times, February 25, 2008
By NEELA BANERJEE
www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/us/25cnd-religion.html?hp
WASHINGTON — More than a quarter of adult Americans have left the faith of their childhood to join another religion or no religion, according to a new survey of religious affiliation by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.
The report, titled “U.S. Religious Landscape Survey,” depicts a highly fluid and diverse national religious life. If shifts among Protestant denominations are included, then it appears that 44 percent of Americans have switched religious affiliations.
For at least a generation, scholars have noted that more Americans are moving among faiths, as denominational loyalty erodes. But the survey, based on interviews with more than 35,000 Americans, offers one of the clearest views yet of that trend, scholars said. The United States Census does not track religious affiliation.
The report shows, for example, that every religion is losing and gaining members, but that the Roman Catholic Church “has experienced the greatest net losses as a result of affiliation changes.” The survey also indicates that the group that had the greatest net gain was the unaffiliated. More than 16 percent of American adults say they are not part of any organized faith, which makes the unaffiliated the country’s fourth largest

[rrogers40]

More than 16 percent of American adults say they are not part of any organized faith, which makes the unaffiliated the country’s fourth largest

I wonder how many of those still belive in God (agnostic)?

[dgriffin]

RR: do you mean the Catholics or any of 'em?

[Ralph]

Ya know, I wonder how many people are just tired of "organized religion" in general, but the results show those that are dissatisfied have cut their ties?

Religion and Faith in God, or the original precepts of you particular religion are two very different things.

If one follows Faith according to the teachings of the New Testament, it takes a much different path from any of the organized practices out there these days.

Maybe such is the case......people are becoming aware of the manipulations being shoved down their throat.

[frankcor]

Maybe it's the highly skilled ability to compartmentalize that we all develop as we grow older, but I'm able to separate what I call church law and God's law. I find comfort in the rituals of my church. The liturgy of the mass helps me reflect on where I've been and where I'm going -- regardless of your feelings of the Bible, there are many great thoughts contained within it. So I attend church regularly and contribute to the operation of it through my time and money. I think of myself as a spiritual man, not necessarily religious.

Ralph says it well -- Religion and Faith

[dgriffin]

My experiences are here, actually, in "A God to Worry About."
www.windsweptpress.com/worry.pdf

[concerned]

Dave your experiences in your story are very keen and reminded me of this little bit of wisdom.

One must stop considering the observation of religious laws, faith and even charity as guarantees of a happy life on earth.

It is true that divine Providence watches over us. But the natural laws themselves are the first manifestations of that Providence, the first and universal manifestation of Wisdom. God lets them operate and produce all their consequences. Miracles are rare. The only assurance of privilege that we have is that all things work together for the good of them that love God (St. Paul); but that all includes all calamities and all tribulations.

In certain exceptional vocations which demand the concurrence of certain material circumstances, Providence does, it is true, app rear, as it were, particularly favorable, granting extraordinary graces such as charisms and miracles.

But what is more frequent than these favors is, on the contrary, the apparent harshness with which God's closest friends are treated. There is not only visible martyrdom, there is the daily and hidden martyrdom of God's faithful - of those who are called not only to the active imitation of Christ, but to be assimilated by Him to Himself, to become flesh of his flesh, an additional humanity in which is fulfilled what is lacking (St. Paul) in the Passion of the Savior. These are souls of singular generosity, and who have, indeed been providentially prepared by divine grace for this redemptive vocation.

Raissa's Journal
Jacques Maritain

[concerned]

I guess there are still some people who get upset with prayer. I received this today from a Trappist monk friend of mine. Somehow I think we need more people like this minister.

When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the
Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but
this is what they heard:

'Heavenly Father, We come before you today To ask your forgiveness and
To seek your direction and guidance.
We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good'
But that is exactly what we have done.
We have lost our spiritual equilibrium And reversed our values.

We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it
"Building self esteem."
We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's
Possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography
And called it Freedom of speech and expression.
We have ridiculed the time-Honored values of our
Forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh, God, And know our hearts today;
Cleanse us from every sin And set us free.
Amen!'

The response was immediate. A number of legislators walked out
during the prayer in protest.

In 6 short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Rev. Wright is
pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those
calls responding negatively.. The church is now receiving international
requests for copies of this prayer from India, Africa and Korea.

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, 'The
Rest of the Story,' and received a larger response to this program
than any other he has ever aired.
With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and
wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called =
'one nation under God.'
If possible, please pass this prayer on to your friends. 'If you
don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.'

[thelma]

I attended a Methodist Church ever since I was around 5 years old and as I got older, I was very active in the Youth Fellowship and a member of the Church Choir. My Mom was a Southern Methodist and believed very strongly in a religious upbringing. My Dad, on the otherhand, was from Canada and was also a Protestant but did not like any of the practices of the Churches here in the USA. He chose not to attend Church other than for Weddings or Funerals or other special occasions.

However, he lived his life according to the 10 Commandmemts and set an example for my sister and I to follow. In our opinion, my Dad was the greatest husband and father anyone could ask for.

I eloped at the age of 16, but was married in the home of a Methodist minister. My husband was Catholic, a former Alter Boy, but agreed to getting married by my minister. As the years went by, he also attended my Methodist Church and all of my children were baptized in the Methodist Church. As they grew, either my Mom or my husband and I took them to Church every week.

When my oldest son got married to a Catholic girl, he agreed to get married in a Catholic Church BUT made it clear that he was never going to give up his Methodist beliefs. My DIL is a very devout Catholic and brought all 5 of their children to her Catholic Church from the time they were infants. All received a Catholic upbringing - except my son who chose to lead his life like his Grandfather did (my Dad).

NOW, 3 out of 5 of the grandchildren have elected NOT to attend the Catholic Church on a daily basis anymore, but these 3 have had their children baptized in the Catholic Church.

IMO - ALL children (as well as adults) need to be brought up with the religious teachings of Christianity - whether it be Protestant, Catholic, etc., as this is what provides a person with their moral value system as they grow older.

Just because an adult attends Church every Sunday when they are older, does NOT make them a Christian - it is the way you live your life that counts.

[frankcor]

Concerned, welcome back and thanks for sharing Rev. Wright's message with us here. I saw it posted on the OD board and made my usual stunning and brilliant political commentary on it over there.

[frankcor]

Re: A God to Worry About

Dave, we are much alike. You just say it better than I do.

[Ralph]

Very well put Dave, an excellent synopsis.

[dgriffin]

The most moving words are above, on this page. Each of us has his or her story. That's the beauty of it.

[Ralph]

I usually don’t get into these types of discussions, as it can go so many ways and so many parts of anyones replies can be misconstrued for some reason or another.

I have my own perception of life, faith and whatever higher being there is out there watching over us all.
After much studying, reading and contemplation…..I like many others have managed to find my own way. Though probably not in the usual sense.

I happen to love the study of Taoism, the philosophy...…not the religion. The simple statements always give me pause for more profound thought and reflection. The Tao De Ching started me and I think the Hua Hu Ching said much more in the way to the end.

So I will leave you with these two chapters from it.

Chapter - 23
The highest truth cannot be put into words. Therefore the greatest teacher has nothing to say.
He simply gives himself in service, and never worries.

Chapter - 47
Dualistic thinking is a sickness. Religion is a distortion. Materialism is cruel.
Blind spirituality is unreal.
Chanting is no more holy than listening to the murmur of a stream, counting prayer beads no more sacred than simply breathing, religious robes no more spiritual than work clothes.
If you wish to attain oneness with the Tao, don't get caught up in spiritual superficialities. Instead, live a quiet and simple life, free of ideas and concepts. Find contentment in the practice of undiscriminating virtue, the only true power. Giving to others selflessly and anonymously, radiating light throughout the world and illuminating your own darknesses, your virtue becomes a sanctuary for yourself and all beings.
This is what is meant by embodying the Tao.

Hua Hu Ching; Lao Tzu – 520BC

[countrygal]

Ralph, I really like those chapters. I'm not an organized religion fan, but I realize that some people need it in their lives.

You're right, these conversations can go in all kinds of directions. With people getting might worked up on every side.