Re: Religion Thread: We Could Say a Prayer
Stats like these are often misinterpreted to mean that faith is weakening. Its not. There's a massive changeover going on in faith atm. Its a shift from denominational to non denominational, to theological sermons and to Gospel content. It been revolutionizing faith for sometime. Most are clueless and this Burge guy (the source) appears to qualify.
That change is proven out by a slow flushing of the faith based system shown more frequently in national statistics. Studies (General Social Survey, Gallup) show that while evangelicals are essentially flat, the faithful with weak religious affiliation have dropped from 55% of the population in '90 to 45% in '15. Do they believe? I suppose. But millions that have been going through the motions on Sunday because they feel obligated just aren't showing up anymore. OTOH a third group, the faithful with no existing affiliation have more than doubled from less than 10% in '90 to over 20% in '15. These new faithful often don't show up in statistics like those referenced due to polling design...but are quite proactive/active in their faith unlike the church attender 'zombies' they replace.
Indeed, overall American faith is not weakening. Its strengthening.
Originally posted by Kepler
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That change is proven out by a slow flushing of the faith based system shown more frequently in national statistics. Studies (General Social Survey, Gallup) show that while evangelicals are essentially flat, the faithful with weak religious affiliation have dropped from 55% of the population in '90 to 45% in '15. Do they believe? I suppose. But millions that have been going through the motions on Sunday because they feel obligated just aren't showing up anymore. OTOH a third group, the faithful with no existing affiliation have more than doubled from less than 10% in '90 to over 20% in '15. These new faithful often don't show up in statistics like those referenced due to polling design...but are quite proactive/active in their faith unlike the church attender 'zombies' they replace.
Indeed, overall American faith is not weakening. Its strengthening.
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