Decline of religion

[AFTT47]

Religious self-identification surveys since the mid 1990s have consistently shown a downturn in Americans who self-identify as Christians along with a corresponding increase with those in the "None" category. Not all the Nones are atheists, of course. Quite a few of them would call themselves "spiritual but not religious". They are rejecting organized religion - and of course the churches attached to the religion.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Religious self-identification surveys since the mid 1990s have consistently shown a downturn in Americans who self-identify as Christians along with a corresponding increase with those in the "None" category. Not all the Nones are atheists, of course. Quite a few of them would call themselves "spiritual but not religious". They are rejecting organized religion - and of course the churches attached to the religion.

Because they’re rejecting organized religion doesn’t make them non-religious, or even less religious. But I do understand the ‘spiritual but not religious’ identifier. When people think of religion, they tend to mean formalized worship services, adherence to doctrine/dogma, education along lines that comport with what church authorities deem appropriate, and so on. When they give up those things, but continue to believe in the god(s) of their choice, they’re still religious, whatever tag they want to put on it.

Boru

[AFTT47]

Religious self-identification surveys since the mid 1990s have consistently shown a downturn in Americans who self-identify as Christians along with a corresponding increase with those in the "None" category. Not all the Nones are atheists, of course. Quite a few of them would call themselves "spiritual but not religious". They are rejecting organized religion - and of course the churches attached to the religion.

Because they’re rejecting organized religion doesn’t make them non-religious, or even less religious. But I do understand the ‘spiritual but not religious’ identifier. When people think of religion, they tend to mean formalized worship services, adherence to doctrine/dogma, education along lines that comport with what church authorities deem appropriate, and so on. When they give up those things, but continue to believe in the god(s) of their choice, they’re still religious, whatever tag they want to put on it.

Boru

Sure, but religion plays little or no role in how these people interact with society. They are secular insofar as how they vote, how they treat other people and such. They're pretty much keeping whatever religious views they have to themselves and thus do no harm. I'll take that any day.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Because they’re rejecting organized religion doesn’t make them non-religious, or even less religious. But I do understand the ‘spiritual but not religious’ identifier. When people think of religion, they tend to mean formalized worship services, adherence to doctrine/dogma, education along lines that comport with what church authorities deem appropriate, and so on. When they give up those things, but continue to believe in the god(s) of their choice, they’re still religious, whatever tag they want to put on it.

Boru

Sure, but religion plays little or no role in how these people interact with society. They are secular insofar as how they vote, how they treat other people and such. They're pretty much keeping whatever religious views they have to themselves and thus do no harm. I'll take that any day.

I don’t know how it’s possible to know how much of a role religion plays in how a self-identified ‘spiritual’ person votes. For example, someone could leave their anti-abortion church for reasons that have nothing to do with abortion and still vote against reproductive rights.

How can you determine how a person’s religious views influence their voting without knowing how they vote?

Boru

[AFTT47]

I can't see a dogmatic person self-identifying as a "none". Even if they left a dogmatic church for other reasons - like a former Catholic who could no longer accept the role of the ongoing sex scandals of the church - would still probably self-identify as a generic Christian.

[The Grand Nudger]

The majority of SBNRs are nones, twenty some odd percent identify as affiliated and in the us mostly christian SBNRs. About 20 percent of SBNRs identify as conservative, on the political end. Almost all SBNRs are under 50, and the unifying response between groups 1 and 2 SBNRs (non affiliated and affiliated) is a natural religion. Which is to say that traditional services, scriptures and prayer have been replaced with a set of spiritual practices and beliefs which find their affirmation and/or practice in natural places, interactions, and experiences*.

I can see how christian SBNRs find that their private spirituality doesn't interfere with their day to day life. It doesn't make the intolerable culture war demands that an activated maga christian's would be expected to. They don't have to trump the place up to keep the faith they can literally take a hike instead. It still compels them in the voting booth..tand you'd expect conservative christian SBNRs to vote along the lines of natural order/fiscal conservatism/tend and cultivate environmentalism.

*as the respondants understand nature and the contents of nature.....there's alot of contemporary orientalism quantum woo and superstition in this particular soup. The point is that the holder percieves them to be validated chiefly by nature, rather than scripture, community, or tradition.

[Fake Messiah]

At least something to cheer me up

After 186 years, 'small but mighty' Dover church doomed by declining enrollment

With the New Year came the quiet end for a landmark church that has stood for nearly 150 years in downtown Dover.

Opened on Blackwell Street in 1876 and expanded in 1907, the First United Methodist Church of Dover held its last services on Dec. 29. Even older than the grand stone edifice was the congregation itself, which was founded in 1838.

The building will be sold after its daycare center closes at the end of the school year, Lee confirmed. A sign in front of the church this week still listed Sunday services, but the building was closed and locked.

Church data shows the congregation had declined to 46 members and an average attendance of 12 or fewer for weekly services.

"The church has been in a difficult position for many years," said the Rev. Tanya Linn Bennett, who served as the church's coordinating pastor for the past two years.

Titus said the congregation had included a Latino membership that attended bilingual services in the Hispanic-majority town. But "that fizzled out" about three years ago after new pastors were assigned who could not speak Spanish, he said. [but doesn't the holy spirit give them abilities to speak in any language? I guess it was just another Jesus' false promise that was turned into a metaphor]

"But it's important to remember that church is not about a building," Bennett added. [then why did you build it?] "Church is about a belief system, and being in mission through your faith and beliefs and values to your community and the world."

https://www.dailyrecord.com/story/news/l...506124007/

Ha! Ha! Ha! Cry harder!

Community mourns closure of Norfolk's historic Epworth Church

Built in the 1890s, Epworth United Methodist Church has hosted weekly services and numerous cherished milestones for over a century.

The last service at Epworth took place on Sunday, marking a somber moment for those who had considered the church their home.

"We have celebrated birthdays, baptisms, and weddings. I hoped that my kids would get married here, and it’s so sad it’s going away. I feel like I’m losing a family member," one congregant expressed.

Epworth has seen a decline in membership over the years, primarily due to an aging congregation. This trend is not unique to Epworth; churches across the country are grappling with similar challenges, many considering or even selling their properties.

"Even though it’s a sad day and we’re having to abandon it, it will always be in our hearts. Our church will keep that in your heart," a member concluded.

https://www.wtkr.com/news/in-the-communi...rth-church

[Fake Messiah]

‘Significant financial strain’ to force closure of Catonsville Catholic school

In a statement from the Archdiocese of Baltimore, officials cited declining enrollment and “significant financial strain on both the school and parish” for the shuttering of the Catonsville school. It currently has 171 students enrolled.

“With enrollment down 25% over the past several years and with increasing needs and expenses, St. Agnes Catholic School cannot meet its operational expenses nor continue, in the long run, to meet the needs of our students and families,” the statement read.

Christian Kendzierski, spokesperson of the archdiocese, said parents and staff were informed Monday of the decision not to open for the 2025-2026 school year.

The Archdiocese of Baltimore has been closing parishes in the city and county throughout the winter. St. Pius X in Towson recently held its last Christmas mass. However, St. Agnes’ shutdown is not part of a trend, according to Kendzierski, and there are no other Catholic school closures planned.

https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/educa...SWUUY4RRY/

[Silver]

The irony that the catholic school system even survived the scandal of pedos.

[The Grand Nudger]

They'd done worse.