Decline in Religious Beliefs?

An interesting observation is when our kids were young we sent them to Religious Education class on Saturday mornings and took them to church on Sunday. We thought we were being good examples and they were getting some worthwhile values. I think they did.

We don't go to church but once a year now, I wonder if my kids will go to church when they have kids.

I am feeling both at the same time. There is a rise in people's desire for connection and spirituality.

I feel that there is a huge split happening. Churches are on a rise. Look at IHOP - international house of prayer. It is one of the fastest growing churches in the world. Look at all the megachurches popping up all over the world.

At the same time there is a revival of "alternative" groups popping up. Spirituality is on a rise. People are looking for their answers where ever they can get them.

As we move more and more into a "depression", even-though the news still calls it a recession (that is if they even speak about it), people will be reaching out more and more to find solutions to their earthly issues like jobs, meaning and money.

As this war continues to rage on in the middle east - unchecked and without real purpose, people will need to heal their guilt and shame around allowing this to go on.

there is a lot happening in the world that is driving people to seek out spiritual answers and they will go to where they are familiar or get away from what they "do not like".

With the new movies coming out, I can see a lot of people looking into jediism for their answers. I just wonder if the existing jedi community is ready for that deluge of interest that is coming.

There is a rise in people's desire for connection and spirituality.

but are they turning to religion for it?

Spirituality is on a rise. People are looking for their answers where ever they can get them.

or are they getting it from movies?

Peolple desire and are looking. I agree.

In my opinion it's probably all about humanities relationship with knowledge. When it was insufficient to explain natural phenomena we had belief-heavy religion, as knowledge grew we had a blending which emerged as mysticism and magick and conflicted (along with other beliefs) with established religions. Then finally knowledge exceeded obvious and relatible phenomena, to begin to answer the bigger questions. Established society fought it out of pride and habit, but more and more it (science) become entrenched as the most practical way to understand the world. I think now religion is free from those societal responsibilities (to have the answers) to focus on where it has the most relevance.... that psychology frontier of individual experience of ones spirit, and in that regard science can actually begin to help. It 'should' be the dawning of a golden age of religion, but one not in competition with science, instead one benefiting from it. Then again it depends on how one defines religion.... I don't use the term to mean the established big churches, but rather any organized spirituality - the fullest state being dedicated spiritual path and supporting community of individuals on the same or similar paths.

NB: I use 'path' to mean the trail behind you and its relevance to your 'light' in the distance, not to follow someone elses trail like a troglodyte beating a worn track of dissolving relevance :silly:

Here are a few polls to peruse (with regard to the USA):

http://www.gallup.com/poll/1690/religion.aspx

http://religions.pewforum.org/reports

http://www.harrisinteractive.com/NewsRoom/HarrisPolls/tabid/447/ctl/ReadCustom%20Default/mid/1508/ArticleId/1353/Default.aspx

Well that supports my thoughts.