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The U.S. Is Retreating from Religion
Scientific American ^ | October 20, 2017 | Allen Downey

Posted on 10/20/2017 12:58:21 PM PDT by detective

Since 1990, the fraction of Americans with no religious affiliation has nearly tripled, from about 8 percent to 22 percent. Over the next 20 years, this trend will accelerate: by 2020, there will be more of these "Nones" than Catholics, and by 2035, they will outnumber Protestants.

The following figure shows changes since 1972 and these predictions, based on data from the General Social Survey (GSS):

(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.scientificamerican.com ...


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; Mainline Protestant; Skeptics/Seekers
KEYWORDS: america; religion
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Survey shows the rapid increase in Americans who say they have no religion. The increase is particularly high among young people.
1 posted on 10/20/2017 12:58:22 PM PDT by detective
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To: detective

And yet they all know God exists.


2 posted on 10/20/2017 12:58:57 PM PDT by reasonisfaith ("...because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." (2 Thessalonians))
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To: detective

The problem isn’t so much that Americans don’t want religion or God. The problem is that the churches have become godless.

True of mine.


3 posted on 10/20/2017 12:59:40 PM PDT by Skywise
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To: detective

Just following Europe.


4 posted on 10/20/2017 1:01:09 PM PDT by C19fan
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To: detective

This article has been written multiple times a year, every year, for decades. Always citing “surveys” of “young people.”


5 posted on 10/20/2017 1:01:46 PM PDT by Trump20162020
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To: detective

I believe there is a difference between asking someone what there religion is as opposed to asking them if they believe in the existence of God. So this poll could probably be a bit deceptive.


6 posted on 10/20/2017 1:03:28 PM PDT by DennisR (Look around - God gives countless, indisputable clues that He does, indeed, exist.)
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To: DennisR

“their”


7 posted on 10/20/2017 1:04:07 PM PDT by DennisR (Look around - God gives countless, indisputable clues that He does, indeed, exist.)
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To: detective

Scientific American should have ended the article with “Mission accomplished!”


8 posted on 10/20/2017 1:04:14 PM PDT by Dogbert41 (Jerusalem is the city of The Great King!)
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To: Skywise
The church was a gathering place 200 years ago and up until about 50 years ago. Then it insisted on extreme changes and redistributing their money pool....and they failed. The hierarchy took religion out of the church by playing with tradition.
9 posted on 10/20/2017 1:05:16 PM PDT by Sacajaweau
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To: reasonisfaith

They are still without excuse.


10 posted on 10/20/2017 1:05:18 PM PDT by ealgeone
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To: Sacajaweau

I’d attribute it to not preaching the Word.


11 posted on 10/20/2017 1:06:22 PM PDT by ealgeone
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To: reasonisfaith

>>And yet they all know God exists.

No they don’t. The end of cultural Christianity does not mean that the faithful are less. It just means that the church folk who joined because it was expected of them by society don’t feel that they have to live a lie anymore. The invisible church never changed.


12 posted on 10/20/2017 1:07:54 PM PDT by Bryanw92 (Asking a pro athlete for political advice is like asking a cavalry horse for tactical advice.)
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To: detective
What was our expectation? That there wouldn't be a falling away in the United States, and it would remain as a steady beacon of light for the gospel?

Prophesy is being fulfilled. The Amen cannot lie.

13 posted on 10/20/2017 1:08:08 PM PDT by Salvavida (The Missouri citizen's militia sends its regards.)
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To: detective

Of course they have religion. Environmentalism, transhumanism, spiritualism, leftism, pick one from Column A....


14 posted on 10/20/2017 1:18:41 PM PDT by Pelham (Liberate California. Deport Mexico Now)
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To: C19fan

Enlightenment’s fault.


15 posted on 10/20/2017 1:20:31 PM PDT by sparklite2 (I'm less interested in the rights I have than the liberties I can take.)
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To: reasonisfaith

Clearly, all will be Torah-believing followers of G-d and His commandments.

Welcome to the team, y’all!


16 posted on 10/20/2017 1:22:03 PM PDT by Phinneous (Moshiach Now!)
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To: reasonisfaith

It’s was all explained here a long time ago...

Romans 1:20-32
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man — and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
NKJV


17 posted on 10/20/2017 1:27:23 PM PDT by theoldmarine (Revival, America's only real hope!)
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To: detective

The new religion is atheistic materialism.


18 posted on 10/20/2017 1:27:36 PM PDT by I want the USA back (The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it. Orwell.)
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To: Dogbert41

I was thinking along the same lines. Science magazine says religion is dying. Dog bites man.

Now, do a story on how colleges and universities have rejected or at least diminished empiricism and the scientific method. Despite massive public funding, science has just as tenuous a hold on the American mind.

Neither faith nor reason holds the heights in the culture these days. They’ve beaten each other bloody. Consequently, Frederica Wilson has walked through the front door, made herself a sandwich, taken a dump without flushing and decided she’ll stay awhile.


19 posted on 10/20/2017 1:28:52 PM PDT by ameribbean expat (Veritas Vincit)
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To: detective
Over the next 20 years, this trend will accelerate: by 2020, there will be more of these "Nones" than Catholics, and by 2035, they will outnumber Protestants.

No tree grows so high as to touch the sky. It is just as likely, perhaps more likely given the historical precedents, that there will be a return to religion in general and Christ in particular over the next generation, something akin to a Third Great Awakening. The liberal denominations will either change or die, and the Christologically sound denominations will either join or become irrelevant, but God will not be marginalized in the nation that declares its trust in Him, even if it is just a phrase to most people.

20 posted on 10/20/2017 1:29:42 PM PDT by chajin ("There is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12)
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