The rise of non religious.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/religion-is-on-the-decline-as-more-adults-c...
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Re: OP
Fingers crossed it keeps going in that direction.
Interesting, because the wife and I were discussing this very subject last night. And together we came up with a hypothesis/speculation as to the cause of such decline. Keep in mind, what follows is meant to be taken in broad/general terms, but overall it fits.
Basically, going back to the generation of my grandparents, most people NEVER questioned religion or the bible. Furthermore, to even have somebody question such things was severely frowned upon, and often punished... (especially if you were a child doing the questioning). God said it in the bible, and that was the end of the discussion. Period. Times were much tougher then for most folks, and a majority of people were still under-educated in many ways.
But then you have the generation of my parents. Making a living is starting to get a bit easier. Education is starting to improve. More information is becoming available to the masses through widespread technological advances in television and phone services and such. That isolated little bubble their parents had lived in is starting to expand. As a result, questions about God and the "accuracy" of the bible naturally start to develop. Even so, though, they were raised such that openly questioning those things brought unpleasant consequences. So they pushed those questions deep down inside to maintain the faith they were so strictly taught to believe. Then they have children of their own, such as me...
Now, yes, I (and others of my age) was raised to be a good Christian and believe in Jesus and the bible. At the same time, however, I was also told, "Learn. Be a good student in school. Ask questions. Be your own person and think for yourself." So that is what I did, with questions about God and the bible being near the top of my questions list. And I dare say I was not the only kid out there doing that.
The difference, though, is that - for the most part - those questions we had were not met with "wrath", but rather with an attempt to explain. Because, truth be known, I personally believe my parents and their generation were struggling with those same questions, but were too deeply vested in their faith to ever let it go. (Let the apologetics begin!) Of course, those few answers I ever received only served to increase my confusion and doubts. Nevertheless, like my parents before me, it was still difficult to shake the fear of Satan and hell. Plus, to turn away from the faith (especially during that time period) would have been "catastrophic" on many levels, not to mention being a public insult to my parents and grandparents. So, I (and others like me) played along as best we could until the opportunity arrived that finally allowed us to break free.
Now we have the generation of my nieces, nephews, and stepchildren. Kids who grew up with the internet and cell phones. Vast stores of worldwide knowledge at their fingertips. Plus, many of the parents of those children are now no longer regularly associated with the religion they were raised to believe. And a majority of those who ARE still "flying the flag" pretty much just "go through the motions" of believing and worshiping out of long-practiced habit. Therefore, the religion is not stressed as much to the children. My stepdaughter and stepson are prime examples of that. Mention religion to either one of them and you are likely to get an "eye roll" and a bemused shake of the head in reply... *chuckle*...
I suppose what it amounts to is that the newer generations have far greater amounts of information instantly available to them, and they are no longer afraid to question. Hey, it's a start, at least.
Tin Man, I think you and Tin Woman have nailed it. Plus, there are a lot better ways to spend a Sunday morning.
I always chuckle to myself when I see very tired looking parents carting off their poor kids to sunday mass.
Feel bad for the kids though. Off to get brainwashed in a very boring tedious manner.
We started to get dragged along to mass was I was 5 and my sister was three.
For a short time, we had [silent] farting contests. Being three, her control wasn't too brilliant. On the second occasion, sis shat herself --it was me who got into trouble.
Those early days at mass were great training. Helped me perfect the ability to fall asleep anywhere.
"I always chuckle to myself when I see very tired looking parents carting off their poor kids to sunday mass.
Feel bad for the kids though. Off to get brainwashed in a very boring tedious manner."
Hopefully some of those kids will watch Dillahunty rip someone apart on YouTube in the afternoon.
That is a huge difference between my generation and the present. Telephones and periodical magazines were our prime communication tool, and we did not have the luxury of instant communication to a vast pool of information, courtesy of the internet. Mind you, I would have probably been too busy viewing porn at a young age, but even a kid needs a break every so often.
You make me homesick. I loved going to mass. It was the only place in the world I felt safe and loved and I got to sing the most beautiful music and listen to stories telling how we should be nice to each other.
Mrs. Paul Owczarek that is one positive aspect religion can bring to anyone, the sense of community, and the emotional peace and satisfaction a service can bring.
Even when I was unsure about religion, I would occasionally attend a service. And when I left at the end of the service, I felt better than when I entered the place of worship.
Yes yes yes.... Thank you, thank you *Taking a bow* Obviously religion is failing around the world because of my many internet posts. When the mighty monkey sits at his keyboard and pounds out truth. THE WORLD LISTENS. Thank you, thank you, thank you.... Just Doing My Part! Your accolades are appreciated. *Taking Another Bow and Exiting the Room."
Religion is in decline because it has not made a union or fusion with science!
@Ricardo: RE: :Fusion with Science." The same reason witchcraft, magic, chackras, ki, flat earth, bigfoot, alien abductions, and other wooo wooo beliefs are not making any kind of impact on humanity. They just can't make a fusion with science.