One-Third Of Millennials Who Left Their Religion Did It Because Of Anti-Gay Policies: Survey

[cbayer]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/26/millennials-gay-unaffiliated-church-religion_n_4856094.html

The Huffington Post | by Jaweed Kaleem

Posted: 02/26/2014 8:06 am EST Updated: 02/26/2014 8:59 am EST

It's widely accepted that young people tend to be less religious than their elders. While recent surveys have revealed that one-in-five adults in America claim no religious affiliation, the number reaches around one-in-three for Millennials under 34.

Now, a new study has uncovered the reason why some of those Americans have dropped out of the fold.

In a survey released Wednesday, nearly one-third of Millennials who left the faith they grow up with told Public Religion Research Institute that it was "negative teachings" or "negative treatment" related to gays and lesbians that played an significant role in them leaving organized religion.

Specifically, 17 percent of Millennials, or adults between 18 and 33-years-old, said negativity around LGBT issues in religion was "somewhat important" to their departure, while 14 percent said it was a "very important" factor.

more at link

[LostOne4Ever]

1. I knew it!!!

Like I said in a past thread, the homophobic rhetoric of the religious right is giving religion a bad rep w/ my age group.

Really, It shouldn't surprise anyone. There is a contradiction in saying god is all good and all love and then turning around and having god damn a group, that isn't hurting anyone, for the CRIME of LOVING the wrong gender.

That type of contradiction only makes god look like a hypocrite and a bigot. The exact opposite of all good & loving.

The Religious right are their own worst enemy.

[cbayer]

2. Not surprising at all is it.

This generation grew up experiencing much more normalization of the GLBT community. I would make no sense to many of them to be members of a church who said it was wrong.

And they continue to shoot themselves in the foot.

[trotsky]

3. Because they are doing it according to their religious beliefs.

Jesus even told them they would be tested and persecuted. I mean, if you truly believed that your god thinks homosexuality is a sin, why wouldn't you oppose its normalization?

And as you continually point out, cbayer, who are we to tell them their religious beliefs are wrong?

I think we have every right to tell them they're wrong.

[WovenGems]

4. Weird Marketing

For this anti-gay campaign to not alienate the young the church folks need to explain why a loving God would make gays(it is genetic) and then tell his folks to discriminate against them. I know it is a tough task, but it be the only hope.