okpfloyd

(AP) -- The U.S. religious marketplace is extremely volatile, with nearly half of American adults leaving the faith tradition of their upbringing to either switch allegiances or abandon religious affiliation altogether, a new survey finds.

The study released Monday by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life is unusual for it sheer scope, relying on interviews with more than 35,000 adults to document a diverse and dynamic U.S. religious population.

While much of the study confirms earlier findings -- mainline Protestant churches are in decline, non-denominational churches are gaining and the ranks of the unaffiliated are growing -- it also provides a deeper look behind those trends, and of smaller religious groups.

"The American religious economy is like a marketplace -- very dynamic, very competitive," said Luis Lugo, director of the Pew Forum. "Everyone is losing, everyone is gaining. There are net winners and losers, but no one can stand still. Those groups that are losing significant numbers have to recoup them to stay vibrant."

The U.S. Religious Landscape Survey estimates the United States is 78percent Christian and about to lose its status as a majority Protestant nation, at 51 percent and slipping.

More than one-quarter of American adults have left the faith of their childhood for another religion or no religion at all, the survey found. Factoring in moves from one stream or denomination of Protestantism to another, the number rises to 44 percent.

One in four adults ages 18 to 29 claim no affiliation with a religious institution.

"In the past, certain religions had a real holding power, where people from one generation to the next would stay," said Penn State University sociologist Roger Finke, who consulted in the survey planning. "Right now, there is a dropping confidence in organized religion, especially in the traditional religious forms."

Lugo said the 44 percent figure is "a very conservative estimate," and more research is planned to determine the causes."

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/02/25
/religion.survey.ap/index.html
Pew Research Center


Have a whatever day! ô¿ô

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“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act”.

George Orwell

Jonesy

'Determine the causes'... haha, i'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact religion is pure fantasy bullshit. You can only stop shit from stinking for so long.

When brain science has reached its most exact state, people will learn how much damage religion truly does.

Hugo de Balsac

religion is mind control. whether it entertains the soul is another matter all together. i still enjoy reading into a Bosch painting.

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art is all that stands between ape and enthusiast.

okpfloyd

"determine the causes"...yeah I laughed too...like some religious people didn't wake up to the present day nightmare and realize what caused it.....THEM!

__________________
“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act”.

George Orwell

djack

I'd bet this loss is occurring among the best educated sections.

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mentor

Nah, there have never been thumpers among the best educated sections. That would be an oxymoron.

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“I believe in God, only I spell it Nature.” Frank Lloyd Wright

Jonesy

The Christianity numbers are misleading. Most American Christians are people whose parent's told them, "You are Christian.", and then they go their whole lives never attending church, studying Christianity or practicing Christianity, but when asked will say, "I am a Christian.".

Hugo de Balsac

i'm a Martian. i practice Martianity, which is a make-believe religion that can't actually exist because there is not atmosphere on Mars, but it is a wonderful vision to behold, otherwise.

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art is all that stands between ape and enthusiast.

The_Heretic

I guess it should be noted that most of these people who gave up their original sect simply moved over to the next.

However, it does demonstrate that religion, as it's practiced is rather flighty.

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John McCain: "He's in Iraq... with a few centuries to kill."





You won't fight for the Bill of Right? Fine! I won't fight for you in the ballot box!

okpfloyd

None the less there's less of it. That's encouraging news to me...even if it's just a matter of admitting it..I mean, dude...I live in Middle Earth where you can easily be discriminated against by religious extremist here...no shit.

Can't find it (fucking maher site) but I posted a study showing more teens rejecting religion and finding their own way...what a concept huh?

__________________
“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act”.

George Orwell