Religiosity in America - the upcoming collapse

[ChairmanAgnostic]

All I can say is about time.

Professor David Voas (UCL Institute of Education) said: “These declines aren’t happening fast, but the signs are now unmistakable. It has become clear that American religiosity has been declining for decades, and the decline is driven by the same dynamic of generational change that has driven religious decline across the developed world.”

The study examined US data from the General Social Survey (GSS), which is conducted every two years, and compared it with similarly broad data from Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The results show that people have slowly become less religious over time.

According to the study, 68% Americans aged 65 and over said they had no doubt God existed compared to 45% of young adults, aged 18-30. 41% of people 70 and older said they attend church services at least once a month, compared to 18% of people 60 and below.

- See more at: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0316/100316-American-devotion-to-religion-is-waning#sthash.knlCcsy8.dpuf

This was posted in the American Journal of Sociology. It matches my personal observations, and confirms that the empty church parking lots in my nape of the forest are no pigment of my imagination. Color me content.

Megachurch construction, loosely defined as having more than 2000 seats, has collapsed since 2010, when only the bible belt saw any major new construction. Since then? bupkus. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tim-suttle/the-failure-of-the-megachurch_b_954482.html

That's not all. Mega churches are going BK. Considering that they pay no tax, you really have to wonder where all that money went.

It also seems that society is taking an ever more dim view of the more radical aspects of religiousity, especially the ultra-conservative cults that seem so popular in the Deep South, and parts of the West. When religious parents are charged with neglect because they refused to seem medical care for a sick infant, instead, relying on prayer and herbs, I view that as a very healthy sign. Faith healing, exorcisms, speaking in tongues - sadly, some of these folks actually vote.

[cleanhippie]

1. This is a good thing. A very good thing!

The less people look to religion for support and guidance, the better off we will all be.

[StandingInLeftField]

2. Just thinking about this on the way in to work

after listening to some Cliven Bundy supporters (two of them Nevada legislators) on Not Progressive....REALLY! radio this morning. They went on and on about how dog was on Bundy's side, yada yada. Living in South Cackelacky means that I'm stewed in religion 24/7, and as far as I've been able to discern, no tangible benefits have accrued - other than to line the pockets of said dog's salespeople.

EDITED TO ADD: I'm not singling out Xstianity, as I feel this way about all of the theistic religions, even Buddhism when a culture introduces god-like entities, and I consider myself Buddhist.

[MH1]

3. But then there's this.

Unique LDS temple, high-rise apartment project excites Mormons, others in Philadelphia

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865638165/Unique-LDS-temple-high-rise-apartment-project-excites-Mormons-others-in-Philadelphia.html?pg=all

"Excited" is not the word I'd choose to describe my feelings about it, but oh well. I'm not aware that anyone asked me.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

4. Excited? I wonder whether they will have a magic undie outlet store there.

[malaise]

5. Where the money went?

Private jets, summer homes in upscale destinations, properties all over, fancy cars, and the good life.
The best of them take off to a beach destination at Christmas and send the idiots a DVD for their holiday service.

Don't yah love absolute bullshit.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

6. yeah. About as pleasant as being a person of color in trumpenstein meeting.

[malaise]

7. Perfect

[ChairmanAgnostic]

8. Sad what our country is coming to on other issues.

But I do thank Trump for one thing. His racism and sexism is so loud, so awful, that he acts like a roach motel for the haters in this country. They are coming out in the open, and making utter fools of themselves. In Public. For all to see. And recall.

He unwittingly is probably helping society in the long run by ripping off the scab or tarp that hid those inglorious basturds for most of my life.

Years ago, when I lived and toiled in central Illinois, (a place where the only culture that could be found was in a yogurt plant) I made friends with a nearby neighbor. He was an assistant coach for one of the colleges. We'd get together pretty often and became best friends. Then I learned that folks at work who found out began calling me a "nigger lover." They soon did it to my face. It angered me something fierce.

So the next time we met, I told him what I was hearing at work, and I asked, "So, Jim, is it true that are you black?"
He and his girlfriend started laughing so hard that both ended up having tears rolling down our face. He was 6'4" 250lb, (former linebacker) and was dating a 5'1" blond blue-eyed gem. Seeing them walk together was a sight. From personal experience, I also saw that he was also repeatedly stopped by local cops, assuming that a large black guy driving around with a small white woman - has to involve a crime.
Bastards.

[malaise]

9. Yep it's everywhere

because it's institutional and perpetuated through most of the critical agents of socialization from the cradle to the grave.

I'm watching but not listening to Brokaw fawning over his relationship with Reagan (a total and compelte hack) and Diane effin' Sawyers. ...Liberal media my ass - they promoted Reagan and his destructive revolution as they are today promoting Drumpf.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

16. And now they promote Hillary.

[jwirr]

10. I have been saying that the ultra right churches have been

destroying the church since they got into politics in the 80s. Hate and fear is not the message of the church and can only hurt those who preach it. This collapse will come but there will be smaller churches that have continued the message of love and compassion that will survive in individual communities. They are the type that stood with Dr. King and against the war. But they did not make it the main message of the church. They are also the churches who have had the good sense to accept the rights movements of LBGT and women.

I just happen to belong to a church like the last.

[whatthehey]

11. Much like religious claims, I'll believe them when I get evidence

There have been claims of "this new generation will diminish religion!" my entire life, and I have a few gray hairs. Yet religious influence in politics, social norms and popular culture continues to strengthen not weaken.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

12. Same with the tea party

And there probably is some overlay in the Venn Diagrams. They only have a small percent of the general population, yet they repeatedly hold our nation by its throat on critically important issues.

If anything. I suspect that under W, religiosity had a rebound, and grabbed more control. Luckily, those days have long passed. The long term fade exists, and is growing.

My suburb has 17 churches, two bars. Let's just say their priorities are skewed. It used to be 19, but one went BK and the other relocated to what they hoped were greener pastures.

Even on Sunday's, when I walk puppy, the parking lots are ever more empty.

[Bonx]

13. I'm praying the OP is correct

[ChairmanAgnostic]

15. Amen.

[Wounded Bear]

14. I think the best indicator...

is how hard the Christian Right, American Talibangelist forces have been fighting recently to kill abortion rights and "outlaw discrimination" against Christian so-called values. They have been sensing their support falling away and are trying like hell to get their safety nets enshrined into law before the collapse.

Good riddance to their political influence. I couldn't give a shit less about their religions, but damn I am sick to death of their pushing their agenda on the rest of us at the expense of rational, science based solutions to our problems.