Young Americans Losing Religion

From Maurine Proctor , Washington, DC:
A recent Harvard Study indicates that "young Americans are dramatically less likely to go to church."

According to ABD News, "'It's a huge change,' says Harvard University professor Robert Putnam, who conducted the research.

"Historically, the percentage of Americans who said they had no religious affiliation (pollsters refer to this group as the ‘nones') has been very small -- hovering between 5 percent and 10 percent. However, Putnam says the percentage of "nones" has now skyrocketed to between 30 percent and 40 percent among younger Americans.

Putnam calls this a ‘stunning development," which will have a profound impact on the social and political life of the nation.

Putnam said of the ‘nones', "They have the same attitidues and values as people who are in church, but they grew up in a period in which being religious meant being politically conservative, especially on social issues," and they see this as rigid and intolerant.

David French responded at National Review Online's Phi Beta Cons Blog, "It is sad that adherence to moral norms that span the entirety of Judeo-Christian history are now seen as nothing but "political conservatism," and it is a distressing sign that politics has become intimately personal when concepts such as heterosexual marital fidelity are seen as inherently ideological and "Republican." Yet this is by no means evidence that the church needs to change its message. The role of the church is to bear witness to the Truth (while always acknowledging our human frailty) not to change the message to fill pews."

I think this is something that we all know. It is interesting to read about it statistically. It is sad that social and moral issues are being equated with and regulated by politics. It is still hard for me to believe that homosexual marriage is even an issue. Speaking of which, the California Supreme Court may be issuing a decision on proposition eight tomorrow. So once again, the will of the people, who let their voices be heard through the election last November, is once again in jeopardy in the hands of a few judges. I don't see how a handful of people can disregard a democratic election where millions of people voted and let there will be known. It just isn't right. So let's hope that the outcome reflects the will of the people.

That's my two cents.