The On-Going Dearth of American Religion

 

The recent USA Today story on Americans and religion, reported in all the major media outlets and based on the American Religious Identification Survey 2008, highlights the growing trend among Americans to forsake mainline churches and in some cases turn from established religion altogether (March 3, 2009). The results may come as a shock to a nation that has always considered itself “religious” compared to the secularization of Europe, notably those nations like Sweden and Denmark where people are happy and content but rarely attend church (Phil Zuckerman, Society Without God, NYU Press, 2008).

 

Why Americans May Be Turning From Established Religion

 

Throughout the 19^th century and into the 20^th century, Americans were predominantly of Protestant background, identifying with denominations that stressed Bible literacy. Americans read their Bibles and religion was a daily part of the nation’s schools. Although one cannot blame the current trend on taking prayer out of schools, the fact is that as America emerged as a global superpower, the emphasis internally on religious education waned.

 

Americans today have difficulty reading speeches and books written in previous centuries that contain Biblical allusions. Additionally, it is out of fashion to make analogies to Old or New Testament stories and parables; most listeners simply cannot “get” the connections. For many college students today, the dearth in understanding American History is eclipsed by an almost total ignorance of the Bible.

 

Additionally, 20^th century immigration patterns enabled many non-Christian immigrants to settle in America. Multiculturalism and social diversity introduced new religious faith traditions. Muslims today comprise 5-7 million adherents in the United States, depending upon which count is accepted. All of these changes are good for America but they also help to explain why Christianity is losing ground.

 

Politics and Social Activism Replaces Bible-Based Teaching

 

Ever since the so-called “religious right” leaders like Jerry Falwell and later men like Ralph Reed promoted the “moral majority” and faith based initiatives, identified with conservative Republican politics, fundamentalist churches and entire old-line Protestant denominations partially redefined their roles, supporting a movement that promised to stop gay initiatives, abortion, and other practices deemed sinful by the religionists.

 

The Roman Catholic Church followed suit, albeit late, appointing priests to lobby not only the Federal government but state legislatures. For Catholic bishops, the chief issue has always been abortion. The American Bishop’s Conference November 2008 letter to President-elect Obama demonstrated their solidarity in promoting a pro-life position, threatened by the potential of a liberal administration’s forcing all health care providers to offer abortions and contraceptives.

 

Despite the official church views, however, many Catholic legislators support abortion rights. Adding the fallout of the abuse scandal and the church’s turn to a more conservative orthodoxy focused on Canon Law, individual bishops are exercising near medieval powers in reigning in any perceived “liberal” detractors. The firing of Ruth Kolpack by Bishop Morlino in Wisconsin in early March 2009 illustrates the move from social justice to arbitrary rule ( Mike Sweitzer-Beckman, National Catholic Reporter, March 17, 2009).

 

The Disillusion of the Faithful

 

Whether an emphasis on political issues or an effort to emasculate the gains of the Vatican II Church Council, mainline American churches have placed themselves into positions whereby they are not ready to address the everyday concerns of Americans who may be facing unemployment and impoverishment. Abbreviated sermons that would cause Charles Finney and Billy Sunday to shudder frequently omit any scriptural exegesis and leave church-goers with a sense of emptiness.

 

These are some of the reasons Americans are less religious. Liturgies are non-relevant; sermons and homilies tend to be psycho-babble or extended please for donations, and the study of the Bible has dwindled. Americans are too busy – or too tired, to attend Sunday School or Bible studies. Until the Christian churches regain their focus, the trend may continue, as it has in Europe.

Published 3/21/09 M.Streich, Suite101 copyright