The Covid-19 pandemic kept anyone with any sense away from churches and other gatherings. I think this had the effect of a lot of people coming to the realization the preachers need them far more than they ever needed the preachers. In spite of dwindling church attendance, the hard core evangelicals continue to delude themselves into believing if they can just get control of government, education, and the media, the people of this country will passively submit to their rule.
It's been a while getting here, but the fallout from 9/11, from the major reports of Catholic priest sexual child abuse, about similar abuse in evangelical churches, and the impact of the internet on religious belief is slowly but surely coming to fruition. People are beginning to recognize not just that religious organizations are not all sweetness and light, but that the dogmas and doctrines they espouse are at best problematic and at worst outright lies.
Now that I think about it, I rather wonder whether all the lies that Trump has spewed over his political career have made those who are at least somewhat open to skepticism more closely examine and perhaps reject not just his untruths but falsehoods in general, and whether that is further accelerating their departure from Sunday services. Strikes me as a distinct possibility.
In any case, this is good news and a trend well worthy of tracking for a while.
One of the things I've said a few times about religion is that while I can't prove God does not exist, I can see much evidence that religion was invented by man. Simply the many different varieties of Christianity is enough for me to see that it is more likely that all of them are wrong other than just one being right. iow - I understand people believing, I just don't understand them going to church.
Younger people aren't going. Older people are dying off. This attendance shrink is inevitable. In my brother's church, the youngest typically in attendance is his daughter, who is 31. Most are 50+.
Now you see why they're so desperate to get a monopoly on violence so they can cling to temporal Earthly power because they have nothing of value to offer people.
I would dispute the polling's finding regarding the increase in attendance at synagogues. With the exception of certain Orthodox Jewish denominations, membership at most synagogues has been shrinking for decades. Many have only a part-time or per diem rabbi on staff, and operate mainly as Jewish community centers. For the most part, what they offer is a gathering place for secular Jews, with a nod to their religious roots.
Maybe we should send our thoughts and prayers. Ha.
I've noticed locally in my denomination (Episcopal) that we have been receiving a lot of folks from non-affirming churches because we are intentionally affirming. We are not perfect, but many who still want to go to church are coming to us. I don't know whether that is true nationally, and it course it's anecdotally, so may not be accurate elsewhere.
I think belief in God can be harmful if you worship Republican Jesus, or if you're a Christian just so you won't go to hell. I know for me I want to follow the Jesus of the Gospels who died for going against things the MAGA crowd stand for, who changes me into a better person. Of course there are so many good people who aren't Christians.
So it's a good thing if it produces positive results, but that hasn't been happening for the most part. As an addict in recovery I was told that a higher power doesn't have to be God, although it is in my case, it can be the chair on the other side of the room because it's at least sober.
"Protestant" is a huge category that includes everything from right-wing SBC churches to left-wing UUAs (unitarians). From buggy-riding Quaker to assault rifle-toting evangelical. I'd love to see a further breakdown of the category - I suspect that "-4%" is hiding a lot of variation, with some denominations crashing out much faster while some (I'm thinking historically black protestant churches) maybe not moving the needle at all.
Another thing potentially hidden in that big category is church/denomination swapping. Who gained and who lost at the expense of each other.
In any event, Gallup's pretty good. They may have that data. I'll have to go look.
The Covid-19 pandemic kept anyone with any sense away from churches and other gatherings. I think this had the effect of a lot of people coming to the realization the preachers need them far more than they ever needed the preachers. In spite of dwindling church attendance, the hard core evangelicals continue to delude themselves into believing if they can just get control of government, education, and the media, the people of this country will passively submit to their rule.
It's been a while getting here, but the fallout from 9/11, from the major reports of Catholic priest sexual child abuse, about similar abuse in evangelical churches, and the impact of the internet on religious belief is slowly but surely coming to fruition. People are beginning to recognize not just that religious organizations are not all sweetness and light, but that the dogmas and doctrines they espouse are at best problematic and at worst outright lies.
Now that I think about it, I rather wonder whether all the lies that Trump has spewed over his political career have made those who are at least somewhat open to skepticism more closely examine and perhaps reject not just his untruths but falsehoods in general, and whether that is further accelerating their departure from Sunday services. Strikes me as a distinct possibility.
In any case, this is good news and a trend well worthy of tracking for a while.
One of the things I've said a few times about religion is that while I can't prove God does not exist, I can see much evidence that religion was invented by man. Simply the many different varieties of Christianity is enough for me to see that it is more likely that all of them are wrong other than just one being right. iow - I understand people believing, I just don't understand them going to church.
It's really very simple. If god is everywhere and all-knowing, who needs to assemble in a building/tent once a week?
56% of Americans discovered they liked having their Sundays free.
Sleeping in late, long leisurely breakfasts, non-religious outings, etc. What's not to like?
Religion is the fentanyl of the masses.
I go to church when they're repurposed as a brew pub or Mexican restaurant. Too many left vacant and taken over by nature(ironically)
Younger people aren't going. Older people are dying off. This attendance shrink is inevitable. In my brother's church, the youngest typically in attendance is his daughter, who is 31. Most are 50+.
I think it was ee cumings who said the best thing about modern life is not going to church.
Bet those who no longer attend church are suddenly finding themselves better off financially.
A blessing!
Now you see why they're so desperate to get a monopoly on violence so they can cling to temporal Earthly power because they have nothing of value to offer people.
Maybe we'll stop having this debate over who has the strongest imaginary friend.
I would dispute the polling's finding regarding the increase in attendance at synagogues. With the exception of certain Orthodox Jewish denominations, membership at most synagogues has been shrinking for decades. Many have only a part-time or per diem rabbi on staff, and operate mainly as Jewish community centers. For the most part, what they offer is a gathering place for secular Jews, with a nod to their religious roots.
Maybe we should send our thoughts and prayers. Ha.
I've noticed locally in my denomination (Episcopal) that we have been receiving a lot of folks from non-affirming churches because we are intentionally affirming. We are not perfect, but many who still want to go to church are coming to us. I don't know whether that is true nationally, and it course it's anecdotally, so may not be accurate elsewhere.
I think belief in God can be harmful if you worship Republican Jesus, or if you're a Christian just so you won't go to hell. I know for me I want to follow the Jesus of the Gospels who died for going against things the MAGA crowd stand for, who changes me into a better person. Of course there are so many good people who aren't Christians.
So it's a good thing if it produces positive results, but that hasn't been happening for the most part. As an addict in recovery I was told that a higher power doesn't have to be God, although it is in my case, it can be the chair on the other side of the room because it's at least sober.
OT: Got todays Wordle in 2!
Getting 4 correct letters on the first guess is a major help.
"Protestant" is a huge category that includes everything from right-wing SBC churches to left-wing UUAs (unitarians). From buggy-riding Quaker to assault rifle-toting evangelical. I'd love to see a further breakdown of the category - I suspect that "-4%" is hiding a lot of variation, with some denominations crashing out much faster while some (I'm thinking historically black protestant churches) maybe not moving the needle at all.
Another thing potentially hidden in that big category is church/denomination swapping. Who gained and who lost at the expense of each other.
In any event, Gallup's pretty good. They may have that data. I'll have to go look.