Why Are We Losing Our Religion? Because Internet

[SecularMotion]

One study suggests that 25 percent of the decline in religious affiliation since 1990 is linked to increased Internet use.

The number of the religious unaffiliated in the United States has doubled since 1990. Almost no Americans used the Internet in 1990, while 87 percent use it today.

Is the Internet causing us to lose our religion?

Yes, says Allen Downey, professor at the Olin College of Engineering in Massachusetts. He analyzed data and found that the statistical increase of those who claim no religious affiliation can be partially explained by an increase in Internet use.

Downey found correlations between a decrease in religious affiliation and three factors: a drop in religious upbringing, increase in college education, and an increase in Internet use. He controlled for factors such as income, socioeconomic status, and rural versus urban environments. Religious upbringing is the most influential factor — 25 percent of the decline is linked to those raised without religion. Only 5 percent of the decline is linked to an increase in college education. About 25 percent of the decline, however, is linked to increased Internet use.

http://www.faithstreet.com/onfaith/2014/07/14/why-are-we-losing-our-religion-because-internet/33029

[Warpy]

1. Hogwash. Given the amount of stuff aimed at believers

that believers would naturally tend to seek out, the internet is quite likely cementing the belief systems by reinforcing them.

Only people who were serious doubters to begin with are leaving the churches and that most likely would have happened once the kids grew up anyway.

[Warren Stupidity]

2. a lot of people were growing up really isolated from any other viewpoints

so while it is true that believers can certainly find lots of reinforcing opinions, they are also. unlike earlier generations, getting bombarded with all sorts of stuff that is totally off-message.

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. Notice this is about 'religious affiliation', not losing belief altogether

People may be getting disgusted or disillusioned with the religious organisations they're in, due to hearing more about their corruption, or finding out how much they lie about evolution, discriminate against women or LGBT; and not then joining another church, without necessarily being people who have doubts about the existence of their god etc.

There are many DUers who have said they've left the Catholic church over the child rape scandal, for instance. That doesn't make them 'serious doubters'.

[edhopper]

3. I can see

Where some one has no one in there personal life tomturn to when the have questions about God and faith. But can now find answers on the internet.

[AtheistCrusader]

4. TMYK the less you need god

[libodem]

5. Could be

. http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017202570