Growth of the Non-Religious

[Protocol417 161]

http://www.pewforum.org/growth-of-the-nonreligious-many-say-trend-is-bad-for-american-society.aspx

In recent years, Pew Research surveys have found evidence of a gradual decline in religious commitment in the U.S. public as a whole. For example, there has been a modest uptick over the past decade in the share of U.S. adults who say they seldom or never attend religious services. The number of Americans who do not identify with any religion also has grown in recent years; indeed, about one-fifth of the public overall – and a third of adults under age 30 – are religiously unaffiliated as of 2012. Fully a third of U.S. adults say they do not consider themselves a “religious person.” And two-thirds of Americans – affiliated and unaffiliated alike – say religion is losing its influence in Americans’ lives.

The new, nationwide survey by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life asked Americans whether having “more people who are not religious” is a good thing, a bad thing, or doesn’t matter for American society. Many more say it is bad than good (48% versus 11%). But about four-in-ten (39%) say it does not make much difference. Even among adults who do not identify with any religion, only about a quarter (24%) say the trend is good, while nearly as many say it is bad (19%); a majority (55%) of the unaffiliated say it does not make much difference for society.

So much to discuss here, so I thought it was a good topic to inject some "Religion" in the "Politics and Religion" forum.

How do you feel about the growing number of "unaffiliateds" and "non-religious"? What kind of impact do you think the shift in numbers has on our country, if any? And do you feel like the growing numbers in these "groups" are causing the religious to become more vocal about their faith, or the non-religious to be more willing to talk about their lack of faith or at least participation in a faith or religion?

[Darnell 8,478]

I always thought the evangelicals were 'not findable' by Pew -

see - Pew uses postal addresses,

and apparently many evangelicals live together in a house with friends -

so it's really hard for Pew to find them, count them, give opinions based on a demographic they can't find.

Bonus points for the evangelicals, for not being findable !

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

How do you feel about the growing number of "unaffiliateds" and "non-religious"?

That must be the moral decay I keep hearing about.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

http://www.pewforum.org/growth-of-the-nonreligious-many-say-trend-is-bad-for-american-society.aspx

So much to discuss here, so I thought it was a good topic to inject some "Religion" in the "Politics and Religion" forum.

How do you feel about the growing number of "unaffiliateds" and "non-religious"? What kind of impact do you think the shift in numbers has on our country, if any? And do you feel like the growing numbers in these "groups" are causing the religious to become more vocal about their faith, or the non-religious to be more willing to talk about their lack of faith or at least participation in a faith or religion?

It came out George Zimmerman was catholic and thought murder was a sin

[B_J 2,752]

It came out George Zimmerman was catholic and thought murder was a sin

You just had to bring up GZ.

[Protocol417 161]

It came out George Zimmerman was catholic and thought murder was a sin

You really seem to be obsessed with this trial.

[Protocol417 161]

That must be the moral decay I keep hearing about.

IMO, the "moral decay" you hear about can probably just be attributed to an increase in 24-hour news access. Crime and things like teenage pregnancy are actually down, and have been going to steadily down for a while, but a lot of people seem to be surprised to hear that.

[RGinWA 816]

I was raised catholic and I play a catholic with my in-laws...does that count as religious?

Personally I find that any religion that's administered by men to be wrought with hypocrisy, personal interpretation and self indulgence. But that's just my opinion...

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

IMO, the "moral decay" you hear about can probably just be attributed to an increase in 24-hour news access. Crime and things like teenage pregnancy are actually down, and have been going to steadily down for a while, but a lot of people seem to be surprised to hear that.

Gotta ask Darnell. He's harping on about the moral decay pretty much daily.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

You just had to bring up GZ.

I was raised catholic and I play a catholic with my in-laws...does that count as religious?

Personally I find that any religion that's administered by men to be wrought with hypocrisy, personal interpretation and self indulgence. But that's just my opinion...

agree but on VJ you should have put an except Islam on the end.. You might get us thread locked

[Protocol417 161]

I was raised catholic and I play a catholic with my in-laws...does that count as religious?

- I think only you can answer that, hun. I was raised Lutheran, but have long since given up pretending. I like the Catholics, though. They have wine at every mass, and they have lots of shiny things to look at while you're ignoring the preacher guy.

Personally I find that any religion that's administered by men to be wrought with hypocrisy, personal interpretation and self indulgence. But that's just my opinion...

- There are religions administered by women?

[Pooky 3,786]

Gotta ask Darnell. He's harping on about the moral decay pretty much daily.

And all this time I thought he was talking about his teeth and molar decay.

[Karee 4,190]

And all this time I thought he was talking about his teeth and molar decay.