Close to half of all Baby Boomers have dumped their affiliations with organized religion.
I find this quite interesting since I’ve long held the belief that spiritual growth is essential to a healthy and whole life.
I should add that I don’t personally believe that organized religion has to be a part of spiritual growth. Indeed, religious dogma may well impede spiritual growth in a lot of individuals.
Here’s the research I stumbled on this morning revealing this interesting baby boomer trend:
Study: Generation X more loyal to religion
Baby Boomers are 40 to 50 percent more likely to ‘disaffiliate’ from their faith
Generation X, the set of Americans who came of age in the late 1980s and early 1990s, is often branded as a rules-rejecting, authority-questioning group.
But when it comes to religion, new research has revealed that Gen-Xers are surprisingly loyal to their faith – a finding that also suggests the rising non-religious tide in the United States may be leveling off.
In a study published in the latest edition of The Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, University of Nebraska-Lincoln sociologist Philip Schwadel showed that Gen-Xers are, in comparison with their Baby Boomer predecessors, far more likely to adhere to their religion. In fact, Boomers are 40 to 50 percent more likely than Gen-Xers to “disaffiliate” from their faith.
As Generation X continues to grow older, this loyalty may translate into a more stable nation in terms of its religiosity, he said.
Schwadel examined General Social Survey responses from more than 37,000 Americans from 1973 to 2006. Using age, period and cohort models, the research zoomed in on two aspects of U.S. religious behavior through the decades:
- Non-affiliation, which is the total percentage of Americans not involved with any particular religion; and
- Disaffiliation, which measures those who had a religious affiliation while they were adolescents but then had no affiliation at the time they were surveyed.
“The proportion of Americans with no religious affiliation doubled in the 1990s and has continued to rise in the 21st century,” Schwadel said. “With the decline in religious disaffiliation among post-Boomer cohorts, it is possible that this growth in non-affiliation may soon level off.”
Though Generation X’s religious adherents are relatively durable, the generation as a whole is still more likely than previous ones to be raised with no religious preference, according to the research. Religious non-affiliation in the United States grew from between 6 percent and 8 percent in the 1970s and 1980s to nearly 16 percent by 2006.
Like previous researchers, Schwadel attributes this to the so-called “1960s effect” — Americans who were children and young adults in the 1960s were disproportionately likely to disaffiliate with religion compared with previous generations. Consequently, many Boomers raised their Gen-X children in a non-religious environment.
Schwadel’s research, however, shows that Gen-Xers are behaving differently than their parents. Although Gen-Xers are relatively likely to be raised with no religious affiliation, those who are raised with a religious affiliation are considerably less likely than their parents to separate from religion.
So why are religious members of Gen-X so much less likely to leave religion? For one, Schwadel said, the American religious scene is more dynamic and textured than it was when Baby Boomers were coming of age in the ’60s and ’70s, which has left the younger generation more choices. If they aren’t happy with a particular religion, they can more easily find a substitute instead of falling away entirely.
“Social scientists have noted that what we call the ‘religious marketplace’ has greatly expanded in recent decades,” Schwadel said. “Historically, it was thought that this religious pluralism was detrimental to the vitality of American religion. While many still hold this view, others suggest that more choices lead to greater religious affiliation and commitment.”
The long-term impact of the decline in disaffiliation among post-Boomers remains to be seen, he said.
“While this trend is good news for those who worry about declining religious adherence, the Boomers’ enmity toward organized religion is still evident in the relatively large proportion of their children and grandchildren who are raised with no religious affiliation,” Schwadel said.
Pretty interesting, eh?
I mean, seriously, organized religion — especially the crazy fundamentalists found in most religious sects and denominations — have done more to support war and hatred than Genghis Khan on one of his worst days.
Perhaps it’s a good thing that many people are dropping their previous religious affiliations?
Organized religion is nothing more than mind control, based on fear but disguised as love and compassion. My in-laws are fundamental Baptist. We were at their home this weekend, and I saw two notes posted in their kitchen and bathroom reminding them that God knows their thoughts. How sad that their lives are lived in this environment of fear, guilt, and control. And they’ve deluded themselves into believing this is a good thing.
You do not need anyone else to develop a spiritual relationship with your god/creator/deity/whatever. Build that relationship by yourself, and take that tithe and do something more constructive with it than support a church. You don’t need an intercessor or a group to tell you how to live your life, spend your money, or raise your children.
We belong to a Unitarian Universalist church, which is non-dogma based and liberal. http://www.uua.org
I do feel that having a church community adds a lot to my family’s lives. We have the opportunity to grow spiritually, stay connected, and do good.
I am a Born-again Christian who is 55 yrs old. I think it is essential to have a personal relationship with the creator and Savior of our universe! That is why he created us! He is our Father if we our His own. We need to accept Him as our Savior because He died for us on the cross, so we don’t have to die spiritually. He is the sacrificial Lamb. It is essential to be well-rounded spiritually, physically and mentally.
By the way, Melody, tithing is something we do to show God that we trust Him to provide for us. It is not only supporting the church, but it is a part of growing as a Christian and a command for Christians who want to be blessed!
Being raised in the Mormon faith has greatly enriched my life and has given me a lot of stability. I had my years of “finding my own way”, which I think was important. But it’s better to give children a foundation to start from instead of letting them aimlessly start from nothing. Now that I have a family of my own, I want my children to also have this foundation as it has really helped me in my life.
I’m 52, and I agree with Sharon – it is very essential to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I think it’s sad that most people have a very distorted view of what Christianity is and isn’t. The only way to fully understand Christianity is to do 2 things:
1) Ask God to show Himself to you,
2) Get a Bible and read it (I recommend starting with the Gospel of John). The Bible is His revelation of Himself to us – His people.
Trying to understand what Christianity is by looking in from the outside is like a person who has never gone swimming trying to understand what swimming means by watching a screen-saver with fish swimming around on the screen. To really understand swimming, you’ve got to find some water – preferably a pool full of friends – and get into it!
I was raised in the Mormon faith and believe this has greatly enriched my life and made me the person I am today. Knowing and understanding who one is and what the purpose of life is can give one a lot of peace and stability in a world of chaos and confusion. I’m very grateful for my faith and raise my children in this faith as well. Yes, there are weird religions and cults, but one can always “know by their fruits” as Matthew said in the New Testament. I too, like Sharon, know that Jesus is my Savior and I’m proud to be a Christian.
Not many people will make it to heaven. This world…the media….keeping up with the Jones will not get you to heaven. The devil is hard at work. I live for God, not for the world that is working so hard to take every ones mind and soul away from God. It’s very simple. Positive is of God, negative is of the devil. The devil is very deceiving….be careful and pray for the right answer.
Your question was, Is it necessary to be religious to live a full,
healthy life?
Absolutely not.
But it is necessary to know the living Jesus Christ who was incarnated, lived a perfect human life, was crucified and put on a cross to pay for our sins, was dead 3 days and rose again. Not only that but he ascended to the Father God, then became a Life Giving Spirit to come and live in us today — to be our strength, our song, our wisdom — everything we need.
I’m so glad I have a body, soul and spirit, and He as the Life Giving Spirit comes into my spirit and give me the real life.
I found a great study Bible they are giving away free where anyone can learn about this wonderful person. Go to http://www.biblesforamerica.org for your free copy today. Read John or Matthew or Romans — they are all exceptional — when you touch your spirit with it!
I am the third generation of Adventists, and I have a healthy outlook on the Creator.
Even though I don’t go to church as often as I would like I believe that going to church DOES NOT make you a Christian as much as going to a garage doesn’t make you a mechanic!
On a serious note I don’t like being in church where some people seem to compare clothes with others. That is not the fellowship I want in my life.
I can see a lot of people, who claim they no longer believe in God, are in a turmoil. They question everything and anyone. Having God in my life makes me secure with my life even though my husband and I are still looking for jobs. I am happier now with God by my side than when I was without Him for a long time.
All I can say is that I will continue walking with my Father and pray for His guidance.
If you need a religious figure to guide you through life, look into yourself. Man invented the concept of God (or gods), personal morality, right and wrong, etc. etc. We carry that with us, and most have an intuitive sense, according to our culture, what goes and what doesn’t. Don’t be controlled by a religious figure with a nice car and spiffy hair-do (paid for by your i donations) who threatens you with damnation if you don’t accept a certain dogma. Religion can be sick; spirituality can be healing. Know the difference – think for yourself, and act accordingly.
Madeleine, great point:
Religion can be sick; spiruality can be healing. Know the difference – think for yourself, and act accordingly.
Amen!
Chet
Beautiful, Madeleine!
What war has ever been non-religious based? And if you so love religion, wouldn’t you think you’d be a supporter of peace? I only see most religions as promoters of comparison (which undermines creative individuality), war (hey, what’s a bit of killing here and there when it’s in the name of religion?), and disintegration of harmony in a world sadly in need of it.
However, spirituality embraces love and respect for all living beings, including one’s self, and certainly does not exclude God or whatever name one wishes to use to refer to a higher being that can help us conduct our lives in a fulfilling and positive manner if we only sit still long enough to listen to the messages being offered. The further away I get from religion, the closer I become to God.
Religion is an institution of man, and only our perception of God. Regardless of what you choose to call God (or if you choose not to call it at all), it doesn’t change what God is. And what is that? Who knows, really. My favorite story as relates to religion is of the three blind men and the elephant: Three blind men traveling together came upon an elephant. Never having experienced such a thing, they agreed to each feel the object and discuss their experience. One insisted that the object was long and curling, like a snake. The second insisted that it was thick and round like a tree trunk. The third argued that it was broad and tall like a house. They proceeded to argue and fight until they were all very angry and disgusted with each other, and still had no idea what the object was. Arguing about religion is like that. Each person experiences divinity from his or her own perspective. That does not mean any one perspective is wrong, or that any one perspective has all the information. It is over believing that 1) our point of view is the only correct one and 2) we are required to convince others that ours is the only correct viepoint and theirs is incorrect, that wars are fought in the name of religion. War is, by the way, counterintuitive to most religions, and is also an institution of man.
Speaking as a Gen-Xer who was raised in one religion, and later, through much study and soul-searching, realized that what I had been raised with was not what resonated with my own soul, it is my personal observation that yes, we were, in general, raised with a more open idea of religion. Although it took me many years to become “affiliated” with any one set of beliefs, I was open to studying all of them, and to taking each on its own merits according to what felt right to me. When I did finally discover something that resonated deeply, I took a slow approach, and studied much before deciding that I could definitively say that I truly embraced those beliefs. I am now, however, deeply committed to my beliefs, although I respect those of others, and don’t feel the need to change anyone else’s beliefs. The path of spirituality, regardless of what religion one finds it in, is a personal thing, and should not be muddled by the opinions of others unless one seeks them out in the process of learning. No one should force one’s own opinion on another. Abstinence from proselytizing would save us many wars, in my humble opinion.
I agree with Melody. People need to learn to take full responsibility for their own actions instead of looking outside themselves to a “god” they cannot even prove exists. Anyone can write a book and call it “holy” or “god’s word” – and if the ones in power threaten enough people’s lives to force them to believe it to be real, of course they’ll say they believe, and they’ll convince themselves that it’s true – because their lives and well being have been threatened with death or some other horrific action.
Sin? No! We call it living life to the fullest as long as you harm none.
The people who believe all that religious garbage are weak-minded,
guilt-stricken, and feel they have to HIDE – they are always hiding, be it under the blood, YUK! or under a rock or shadow thereof.
I was raised in the Christian faith, and somehow things did not add up to logic. Example – How could a “loving god” be so mean as to throw you into a lake of fire that burns forever… (Ha ha – Nothing burns forever).
Any father today who would allow his own child to be murdered in front of him and did nothing to stop it, would be charged with some sort of Crime – supporting abuse and even being a participant of the crime. The Law is not too pleased with that sort of thing.
This is proof of human violence and an excuse to continue the violence.
Man’s inhumanity towards humanity. The “holy” bible and “god” have been at the root of more wars, killings, sufferings, and child-sacrificing – just to mention a few, than anything else on the planet. The bible is filled with such bloody stories and is filled with lies, & false and empty promises.
Ghosts do NOT make babies – Mortal man does that all too well.
I was raised a christian – Today I am proud to say I found my way out of that dark, cruel, uncertain and religious jungle – Today I stand a Proud and Gentle Satanist. The TRUTH set me free, because Doubt unlocked the door, and I felt the chains of that religious prison, fall to the ground, and the sound was like a Roar of great freedom.
Hail Satan – Psst … I don’t even believe in satan.
EVERYONE will make it to “Heaven” but not everyone will have the option to stay there. Only those who accepted Jesus as “the way” will have the option. Those who have not completed their spiritual path or have not accepted the grace given through Jesus must return. It is like the law of physics, action and reaction. You sin you pay and maybe not in this life but the next. Your actions DO count. Your deeds must be balanced or are balanced by what happens to you. Accept the offer of Jesus or see you again in a few years. Me, I don’t want to not have the option on this earth, especially in another fifty years.
Religion has too much rigamarole, too much hype, and the resulting sadness. How could anyone subscribe to such madness? There is only YOU, you are the keeper of your thoughts, your life force, under only YOUR control. If you allow something else to control your life, how could there be anything else but sadness? There is no other control than your own, living, loving, helping without fear of death, burning, or any other ridiculous non thinking attitude! Get on with it, throw away all that hype you have been fed, and start living your best life, without fear.
I believe in God’s Word, The Holy Bible…
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked… as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
i believe there is a life force, a spirit, a creative principle … whatever you want to call it … and it is within every individual, even the ones who look like it’s missing.
tennyson said … “god is closer than breathing, nearer than hands and feet” … i love that … trusting this something in me …
it’s wherever i am … it’s with me at work, in my car, at the grocery store, … if going to church is right for someone. i’m all for it … live and let live. know yourself and know what’s right for you.
becoming aware of this spirit within us is the exciting journey …
peace and joy to the world … anna
Remember in the movie, A Beautiful Mind…when he was giving his acceptance speech for the Nobel…and he recounted his journey in and out of darkness and madness and finally full circle to sanity? I feel that way with God. I’ve studied religions, movements, spiritual paths…you name it! Finally I’ve come full circle and feel comfortable in believing in God and the fact that this universe isn’t some freak cosmic accident or explosion. What I am not comfortable with is the parameters that man has drawn around God and how He works. There is much more to the spiritual world than we are the myriad of writers who have attempted to explain it…will know until we cross into that world. A very strong and urgent issue becomes this: we have children and while we are flip and flop through life looking to find out what it is that we believe, the kids have not roots or foundation in anything spiritual. This happened in my life. Had I an opportunity to do it over, I wouldn’t subject their growing years to a stroll through what-is-God-and-how-do-we-find-Him sort of journey. Best to have something concrete for them to start with. They are our responsibility! If we use up their lives and ours in search of Truth, then we are selfish. Give them something! Figure it out early.