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J Suburban · Mar 9, 2008, 08:44 pm

Quote:

Pew Research Center: The U.S. Religious Landscape Survey Reveals a Fluid and Diverse Pattern of Faith

More than one-quarter of American adults (28%) have left the faith in which they were raised in favor of another religion -- or no religion at all. If change in affiliation from one type of Protestantism to another is included, roughly 44% of adults have either switched religious affiliation, moved from being unaffiliated with any religion to being affiliated with a particular faith, or dropped any connection to a specific religious tradition altogether.

(*Apparently, I can't post any links as a new member, but just google it for the full article.)

My assumption from this report is that most of these switches probably have to do with major life transitions, like moving into a different region of the United States or marrying a spouse of different faith.

This got me thinking: How does this reflect on religion today? Doesn't this shuffling of religious affiliation put a damper into the sanctity of religion? Or is it more of a reflection on us as people?

I don't really have any definitive thoughts at the moment. Just wanna hear from thoughts..

lsbskins1 · Mar 9, 2008, 08:54 pm

My guess would be that it is a combination of factors, but mostly driven by the fact that there are very few "communities" left in today's world that hold the allegience of individuals. If you are born, raised and die in the same town, you would stay with the same church but not many people do that today. Maybe the Methodist church in Middlesize Town, USA is more like the Baptist church in Bigtown, USA. Maybe there is no Lutheran church in Smallville, so you start going to the Catholic church.

HelioPrime · Mar 10, 2008, 11:32 am

It's the same God being worshiped in the end. The difference lies in various human interpretations that conflict with each other.

I know a girl who's mother left the Russian Orthodox church to become a Catholic. She still prays to the same God concept, but now she doesn't require a sheet between her husband to have sex.

Winter wind · Mar 10, 2008, 12:08 pm

Quote:

Quote by: J suburban

My assumption from this report is that most of these switches probably have to do with major life transitions, like moving into a different region of the United States or marrying a spouse of different faith.

sweet stat. I don't know what it means, except that Americans are rebellious?

rez · Mar 10, 2008, 12:19 pm

Quote:

Quote by: HelioPrime

It's the same God being worshiped in the end. The difference lies in various human interpretations that conflict with each other.

Everything but god is a human interpretation....please support that logic.

Charlesuzoanya@ · Mar 10, 2008, 02:27 pm

I think it has more to do with enlightenment than anything. People are able to ask questions and find answers in forms other than they have been raised to believe. The ability to learn about ideas that was once unattainable and in greater detail has led many to find answers in other realms. This is not limited to just religious beliefs but also atheist and agnostic ideas as well. This, to me, is encouraging because we are now moving away from believing in just what our parents have drummed in our heads from childhood or what some televangelist tells us is true to a search of the truth behind existence.

HelioPrime · Mar 10, 2008, 08:05 pm

Quote:

Quote by: rez

Everything but god is a human interpretation....please support that logic.

What logic?

Christians worship the same god, but there is disagreement over the role of Jesus, and parts of the bible. And no, I'm not going to sink and help you turn this into yet another demanding evidence for existence thread.

rez · Mar 11, 2008, 12:40 pm

Quote:

Quote by: HelioPrime

What logic?

Christians worship the same god, but there is disagreement over the role of Jesus, and parts of the bible. And no, I'm not going to sink and help you turn this into yet another demanding evidence for existence thread.

God is not a human interpretation?

Lullaby Chainer · Mar 11, 2008, 07:08 pm

Here's the Pew report.

Pew Research Center: The U.S. Religious Landscape Survey Reveals a Fluid and Diverse Pattern of Faith

HelioPrime · Mar 11, 2008, 07:20 pm

Quote:

Quote by: rez

God is not a human interpretation?

Perhaps to you but that's outside the OP.

Mar 9, 2008, 08:54 pm	#2 (permalink) (top)
lsbskins1 Redskins Rule Location: South-Western Virginia Posts: 2,454	My guess would be that it is a combination of factors, but mostly driven by the fact that there are very few "communities" left in today's world that hold the allegience of individuals. If you are born, raised and die in the same town, you would stay with the same church but not many people do that today. Maybe the Methodist church in Middlesize Town, USA is more like the Baptist church in Bigtown, USA. Maybe there is no Lutheran church in Smallville, so you start going to the Catholic church. All I see when I look down, something jumpin' on the ground, Scratchin' dirt, cluckin' in the barnyard - Tell me, could that be you? John Kay

Mar 10, 2008, 11:32 am	#3 (permalink) (top)
HelioPrime Hucking Fuskies Location: Conn Posts: 2,374	It's the same God being worshiped in the end. The difference lies in various human interpretations that conflict with each other. I know a girl who's mother left the Russian Orthodox church to become a Catholic. She still prays to the same God concept, but now she doesn't require a sheet between her husband to have sex. What do you say to an atheist who sneezes? Yourdeadthatsit! - Dane Cook

Mar 11, 2008, 07:08 pm	#9 (permalink) (top)
Lullaby Chainer Posts: 3,014	Here's the Pew report. Pew Research Center: The U.S. Religious Landscape Survey Reveals a Fluid and Diverse Pattern of Faith *Powerful.. magical.. e-e-e-eevil..* Last edited by Jack; Jul 26, 2008 at 09:24 pm. Reason: member request

Mar 10, 2008, 02:27 pm	#6 (permalink) (top)
Charlesuzoanya@ I yearn Location: phoenix, AZ Posts: 7	I think it has more to do with enlightenment than anything. People are able to ask questions and find answers in forms other than they have been raised to believe. The ability to learn about ideas that was once unattainable and in greater detail has led many to find answers in other realms. This is not limited to just religious beliefs but also atheist and agnostic ideas as well. This, to me, is encouraging because we are now moving away from believing in just what our parents have drummed in our heads from childhood or what some televangelist tells us is true to a search of the truth behind existence.