People are leaving organized religion in greater numbers than ever.

[another_liberal]

I ran across a fascinating article on the decline in church membership over the last twenty years. I had assumed, just from casual contacts, that membership had declined to some extent, but never would I have guessed just how much:

http://america.aljazeera.com/watch/shows/the-stream/the-stream-officialblog/2013/8/22/church-membershipdecline.html

One can speculate on the cause for this dramatic overall reduction in those affiliated with an organized religion. My best guess is disenchantment with the increased politicization of many mainstream faiths, and their embracing of Right Wing causes.

[defacto7]

1. Well Thank ya Jeeeesus!

I think they are just waking up to the facts. I think the craziness of the religious right has had a lot of influence on the reality factor. Sometimes hypocrisy will finally rust through the screen of dogma and that can open a world of question and reason. A lot of the religious have reached the saturation point and I'm sure many will bolt for the truth in the end.

[another_liberal]

4. To remain socially acceptable . . .

At this point, I think a great many people continue to go through the motions of believing their church's dogma, just to remain socially acceptable. If they all knew how many other "doubters" there are among them, many congregations would disappear over night.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

2. Not respecting the intelligence of children by lying to them.

The Easter Bunny is real. Check.

Santa Claus is real. Check.

The Tooth Fairy is real. Check.

Jesus is real. Check.

If you have premarital sex, you'll be worthless like a used tissue. Check.

If you have premarital sex, the boy will immediately drop you. Check.

Condoms don't work. Check.

Any girl on birth control pills must be a slut. Check.

No matter how good you are, you are going to hell because you're not perfect like Jesus. Check.

God loves you, and if you don't love him back, you're going to hell. And btw, you have free will. Check.

Women who wear slacks and are not obedient to their fathers or husbands are sinful and unbiblical. Check.

If you are a wiccan or pagan, you are worshiping Satan. Check.

If you are a non-Christian, you are worshiping Satan. Check.

Meditation and yoga are evil and demonic. Check.

Pray all the time, and God will make everything wonderful for you. Check.

God will never give someone more troubles than they can handle. Check.


I think there's a pattern here........

[another_liberal]

5. You forgot . . .

"We'll all have pie in the sky when we die!"

[TxDemChem]

3. The graphs definitely reflect what I've been seeing in my own life

I especially have noticed that more than half of my cousins who are my age are now non-believers. Even my dad has become agnostic (I think he's still in the process of deconverting).

This is good news!

[another_liberal]

6. Yes, it is good news.

Less mindless religious obedience is good for all of us. As Voltaire said:

"Those who can make you believe in absurdities, can make you commit atrocities."

[Curmudgeoness]

7. I am not surprised.

I did go to church when I was young. In my early teens, I was "born again". By my late teens, I had read enough of the Bible to have serious doubts, and at that time I stopped going to church. By my early twenties, I had left "organized religion" and did not align myself with any church or sect, although I still said I was "spiritual". By my late twenties, I had the nerve to announce that I did not "believe in god". I have proudly used the "atheist" label for years now.

What I am getting at is that it is a slow process. First, you start to doubt the institutions with their money grabs and guilt and telling you how yours is the only "right" way. Any thinking human will realize that this makes no sense. Whether they continue to move away from their god and their beliefs is another thing.....but they do lose trust in the church as an institution more easily.

[another_liberal]

12. The message . . .

Today the message of religion generally (and Christianity especially) is so much more strident and aggressive. Some denominations have become devoted to political action at least as much as they are to worship. Add to that the huckstering, mass entertainment aspects of the "mega churches" and today's style of religion can be a big turnoff for anyone who is not already brainwashed and mentally docile.

[Arugula Latte]

8. Good news. I love this younger generation.

Also, the even younger generation will also be a good one. I've personally contributed two smart, caring and non-religious citizens (well with the help of my husband).

[another_liberal]

13. Here's to them!

I hope they can keep themselves free.

[dimbear]

9. My big three:

1. world war III fought out eternally by religious sects

2. repulsive unchecked scandals in churches

3. internet

Might be more.

All good.

[Zoeisright]

10. Excellent.

Seems like more people are growing up.

[another_liberal]

11. They are growing up.

They are also getting sick of being used by the hypocrites who rule their churches.