Why do Americans change their faith?
Americans are changing their religious affiliations at unprecedented rates, but Catholics are much more likely to cite concerns about their religion as a reason for leaving than are Protestants, who more often cite changing life circumstances.
The churn within American religion -- about half of American adults have changed their faith affiliation at some point -- was one of the key findings of a major study released last year by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life; today, the Pew Forum is releasing a new study that attempts to explore the reasons why Americans change denominations or religions, or, increasingly, drop out of institutional religion altogether.
Among the most striking findings are that most people who change their religious affiliation leave the denomination in which they were raised by age 24, and many change religious affiliation more than once. And the study found that the growing population of unaffiliated Americans are more disenchanted with institutionalized religion than with the idea of God.
But the differences between Catholics and Protestants are also significant, suggesting that Catholics who become alienated from their church often leave, whereas Protestants have the option of simply switching denominations.
"Protestants show a lot of interdenominational mobility, in part because there are a lot of Protestant groups,'' said John C. Green, a political science professor at the University of Akron. "Among Catholics, there is much less scope for mobility within the denomination, and a larger number ended up leaving.''
The study finds that about half of former Catholics cite religious and moral beliefs as the reason they left the Catholic church. About four in 10 former Protestants who became unaffiliated offer a similar explanation, but among Protestants who simply switch denominations, the main reasons are concerns about particular religious institutions, and life cycle changes such as marriage.
Pew last year released the eyepopping estimate that one in ten Americans is now a former Catholic -- about half of the former Catholics are now Protestants, and about half are now unaffiliated. But the new study suggests that the sexual abuse crisis played at most a minor role in the decision of Catholics to leave -- only two percent of former Catholics who are now unaffiliated volunteered the abuse scandal as the main reason they are no longer Catholic; when prompted by an interviewer, 27 percent said concern about the abuse scandal was a factor in their departure. Former Catholics who are now unaffiliated often said they left because of disagreements with the Catholic church over homosexuality, abortion, birth control, or gender; former Catholics who are now evangelical often say they stopped believing Catholic teachings and are concerned with the Catholic church's teachings about the Bible, while former Catholics who are now mainline Protestants most often say they changed because of marrying a non-Catholic or because they didn't like their priest.
"The sex abuse crisis is nowhere near being among the most important factors explaining why people have left the church,'' said Mark M. Gray, director of the Catholic Poll at Georgetown's Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. Gray noted that many Catholics who became Protestants cited not one of the culture war issues, but teachings about the Bible.
"Clearly, there's a need to try to connect with youth, because a big portion of the people you're losing are teenagers and in their early 20s, and there's a need to reach out to them in terms of spiritual needs not being met,'' Gray said.
Susan Spilecki, a 41-year-old English teacher from Brighton who was a lifelong and active Catholic until entering the Episcopal church last year, didn't even mention the sexual abuse crisis when describing her transition.
"For my first 20 years, it wouldn't even have occurred to me, no matter how bad it was, that I could change -- being Catholic was just what you were,'' she said. But then, she said, she encountered other Christians in college, she had growing concerns about the church's teachings on contraception, homosexuality, and the ordination of women, she grew tired of explaining why she remained in the Catholic church, and her parish, in Boston's Symphony neighborhood, was closed by the archdiocese. Finally, she decided she wanted to study theology, and concluded that, "as a female, and therefore unordainable, Roman Catholic, who also disagreed with a lot of teachings,'' it was time for a change.
In the Episcopal churches where she worships -- the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston and All Saints Parish in Brookline, "I've met more disenfranchised Catholics, and Unitarians who discovered Jesus, then cradle Episcopalians."
Despite the departures of Catholics from the faith, the overall Catholic population in the U.S. has remained stable because of immigration.
"Long-term, what this means is that the face of the Catholic Church is going to change dramatically over time,'' Green said. "There is likely to be continued erosion by Catholics of European background, and the church is going to be increasingly populated by Hispanics and Asians who are immigrating to the US.''
Among Protestants denomination switching is quite common, and is often triggered by marriage or by a family's move from one community to another.
"A lot of the switching is intra-Protestant switching, and I think at this point that's not even switching -- hardly anyone knows the difference between a Lutheran and an Episcopalian, or even a Methodist and a Baptist,'' said Stephen Prothero, a professor of religion at Boston University. "Lutherans hardly know anything about Luther, and Methodists hardly know anything about Wesley, and they don't care. We live in a postdenominational time.''
Kyle Thureen, a 26-year-old software engineer from Burlington, was raised in a Lutheran church in Minnesota and now attends the evangelical Grace Chapel in Lexington.
"The name on the front of the church is less important than what does the church believe, and how do they live that out,'' Thureen said. "The bottom line is, I would describe myself as a Christian.''
And Susan Stewart, a 44-year-old church worker in Arlington, had been affiliated throughout her life with American Baptist Churches congregations, but then joined a United Methodist church because it had better programming for children. Her husband was raised in the Catholic church.
"We looked around at a bunch of places, and Calvary United Methodist is within walking distance of our house, it was a neighborhood congregation, and there were a reasonable number of children when we started going there,'' she said. "Neither one of us had any experience with a United Methodist congregation, but originally the denomination did not particularly matter to us. In some ways, we were starting fresh together.''
The study also explores the growing ranks of the unaffiliated -- about 16 percent of American adults, according to Pew. The study finds many of the unaffiliated cite objections to religious people or religious institutions as the reason for leaving organized religion; few cited unbelief. And about one third of the unaffiliated say they are still open to finding the right religion.
"In American Christianity, you see a lot of talk about how vibrant it is, and how people are moving in, but there's also a huge open back door that they must be leaving out of,'' said D. Michael Lindsay, an assistant professor of sociology at Rice University. "It's not so much that science disproves religion, so people abandon their faith, it's more like a gradual drifting away, and a number of unaffiliated folks end up coming back and getting involved.''
In addition to the Globe graphics above, here is a cool flash graphic from Pew.
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because its all made up any way
I changed my faith because Jesus Christ is absolutely the best thing that has ever happened to planet earth. Ha!
It's all in Him. It's all in Him. The fullness of the Godhead, it's all in Him. It's all in Him. It's all in Him. Isaiah 9:6 The mighty God is Jesus and it's all in Him.
I did not leave my religion, my religion left me....I still have my faith.
Protestants often have inter-communion agreements, and as a result, it's more "changing flavors" not "changing religions." Typically the differences between Lutherans, Presbyterians, Episcopalians etc. are so minute that the average parishioner couldn't explain the difference beyond administrative terms. When we left the Episcopal Church for the Lutheran Church it was because the Lutheran Church was close to our new house. The nearest Episcopal Church didn't have a good childrens ministry. We wanted something for our kids. But of the people I see jumping parishes every couple years - I would love to see a correlation study between denominational loyalty and divorce rates. We have a culture that encourages people to seek their own happiness first, and if they don't get what they want, they move on to the next person/group...
The bible isn't the word of God, it's the word of men with an agenda -- to stamp out any worship of a female or nature deity and replace it with the worship of a male god. I left the Catholic church after more than 55 years as a practicing Catholic, and gradually moved to a Pagan viewpoint, and I've never been sorry.
To call Jesus the Prince of Peace is ridiculous. How many millions of people have been slaughtered in the name of Jesus. How many wars have been ended by Jesus. Peace has to come from within each of us.
In the table Common Reasons for leaving Childhood Faith, notice there is not a question about Raised Protestant, now Catholic? Do I detect an anti-Catholic bias?
There are "many ways to lead to Rome." People have just had to choose their appropriate and best way for their belief. However, hopefully, people don't loose hope in Jesus. He is God of gods or Lord of lords. Best wishes.
When it comes down to it "God's house" is in your heart. You don't need to go to "a buliding " to worship him. I'm Protestant, and grew up in this religion. They are much more easy going and basically have many of the same beliefs as the catholic religion but we don't live by the pope's rules and not going to church isn't treated like a crime! You are free to make your own choices but they do encourage you to raise your children with some form of religion in their life. Its a very easy going religion that treats you like a human being and doesn't threaten going to hell if you don't do as they say.................
This (and most of these faith articles) is controversial by nature of the content, so I expect there will be lots of trolls posting. I am *very* surprised / skeptical that fewer than 10% of Catholics adults have left the herd. I would have thought this to be in the solid double-digits for sure (after the issues in the last 10+ years).
It is quite obvious that if there is a higher power, it has absolutely no influence in our daily lives beyond the accrued "interest" that entity has built up over the years as the focal point of some religion... Be it population control in catholocism or genocide in jihadist islam religion has always been and will always be a way for people to try and consolodate power and exert influence over their fellow man. While completly applicable hundreds of years ago, religion serves no place in society today.
Do unto others.............. and we'll be just fine.
This article possibly misses a very important and simple factor in the differing behaviors between Catholics and Protestants in changing affiliation.
The Roman Catholic catechism basically says, "It's my way or the highway." In other words, Catholicism preaches that you must be Catholic or your soul is in grave danger of damnation. On the contrary, I've never heard a Methodist say that one must be Methodist and all other Christians are in danger of going to hell.
It's possible that Catholics can no longer reconcile their conscience with the teachings of the church simply drop out of the game entirely-- they can picture not going to church at all, but can't fathom going to a Protestant church. On the other hand, Protestants may switch between denominations and it's really not a big deal.
In any case, why should it concern us that people switch churches? Most are simply born into a particular church accidentally and arbitrarily. Finding one's own church based on one's own experience and beliefs seems like a very grown-up and spiritual thing to do. Doesn't bother me one bit.
We created gods, then we created institutions called religions. Specialized knowledge = special status = hegemony. Religion is about power.
It's sort of like the cell phone industry. Someone came up with a cool little gizmo, then the marketing folks turned that gizmo into a "need." Now we "need" cell phones. Funny, we got by just fine without them before. Why are they a "need" now? We even have a government program to provide free cell phones to WIC recipients. Free phones for the poor! Blessed are the WIC recipients, for they shall inherit free handsets with airtime!
I hope I live to see that day when we become an enlightened culture, free from religion.
Just read today's Globe article and letter from Mary Ann Glendon about declining a Notre Dame honor because they invited Obama to give the commencement address, and you will have one more reason why the Catholic Establishment is saying to followers: "There's the door, don't let it hit you in the butt on your way out. We don't need you." More hypocrisy, false piety, self-righteousness, must I go on? Such a frustrating enterprise, the Catholic Church. Will they ever get it??? (from a 20-year veteran of weekly Mass, CCD classes, etc.)
How come you don't have the number of protestants who have become Catholic,
surely your not going to tell me that protestants aren't joining the Catholic Church.
I myself can tell you of about a dozen who have become Catholic through good analyzing the Biblical readings, the historical aspects of the Christian religion, and other related facts and subjects. If you read the reasons some of these "catholics" who have left the Church, give, thank God they left. The Bible does say that many would leave the way of the truth because the never really belonged to the Mother Church, or else they would have stayed..
I love it. The first comment is to the point and insightful and the next guy just repeats nonsense for 6 lines. This sums up religion for me.
People change their faith (Catholics, anyway, out of the Church) because it does not meet their self-centered "needs". They look at the Church as though She is to serve them, rather than the other way around. They hate authority, and their pride does them in... the result? Bitterness and hatred (right ontheleft?), and an obsession with attacking Her. The transients have no ability to separate the message from the messenger, and use Her to try to reconcile their inner conflict... which unfortunately leads to despair.
Mother Mary, pray for us.
I left the Catholic Church because I found the teachings of the Flying Spaghetti monster much easier to digest.
Jesus ended the war in my soul. I just keep restarting it again lol...
I think the editors need to work on their fact checking skills; the headline is highly misleading. Apparently, they think that 100% of Americans were either born Catholic or Protestant. This isn't a study of why Americans change churches, it is a study of why Christians change churches. It would be interesting to see if Muslims and Jews are changing faiths in the same proportions
"Former Catholics who are now unaffiliated often said they left because of disagreements with the Catholic church over homosexuality, abortion, birth control, or gender; "
That statement within this article pretty much summed it up for me...as well as Tom's statement that he didn't leave his religion in as much as his religion it left him. I'm 46 presently and my break with the catholic church came roughly 6-7 years ago - until that point I was a regular at weekly mass and even went to recite the Rosary occasionally during the week day mornings after working a night-shift. The church didn't support my sexuality, my spouse, or even my concerns of churches closing because women could not be ordained and there were/are not enough priests to run from church to church on the weekends. I was a supporter of a church/religion despite the fact I was abused by a sexual predator priest when I was sixteen years old. The clergy abuse scandal was the last straw for me. These guys were abusing kid’s left-and-right then getting up on the pulpit week after week preaching "abstinence" amongst other hypocritical statements.
I recall the current pope supporting the current catholic church exclusions as he took over. In a statement he released, the pope believed that a smaller/devoted catholic denomination would be the chosen option rather than changing the church teachings to meet the growing/diverse needs of its followers. This follower has found a new direction - happily!
Ridiculous statements like this
http://www.notredamescandal.com/
That's why people don't want to be Catholic, because the church is more obsessed with covering up its child molesting and saying condoms cause Aids in Africa than dealing with reality.
Although everyone has the right to make up their own mind, I believe there is ample evidence that the Bible is the Word of God. The God of the Bible is far greater than Martha's limited view. For example, Isaiah 66:13 portrays God as a mother - "As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you." It is an important right for anyone to have the right to change their beliefs, religion, or worldview even though we might feel the decision was not the best choice. This is part of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In the past many western countries were just as intolerant on this as some Muslim countries are today. I believe this is one of the major issues that needs to see major change in Muslim countries today.
The essence of Christianity is not religion but relationship. The decisions I make are based on a loving relationship with God and others. It is much deeper than adherence to some ethical code. Regarding the posting by Martha who said it is ridiculous to call Jesus the Prince of Peace, it is interesting to note that for hundreds of years after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the followers of Christ did not participate in serve in any armies or participate in war. And if you study Jesus' teachings, you find that he truly said "Blessed are the peacemakers." Millions have been slaughtered in all kinds of names (Jesus, Alla, Stalin, Hitler, Niche,) Many will kill to preserve their sense of being "right", but Jesus was "right" and did not hate His enemies, but loved them. He even prayed for those crucifying Him.
Jesus is truly the peace-initiator - peace with God and peace with others. Humanities perpetual failures, even by those who identify themselves with Jesus, does not alter the truth He was and the truth He taught.
Changing one's faith should be based upon realized truth. I grew up a catholic and was informed about a Jesus that cares for the world, rich, poor, hispanic, asian, black or white.
I became a apostolice pentecostal when I had the privelage to touch, feel, and experience the Jesus that I learned about in in CCD. I recieved the Acts 2:38 experience of the Holy Ghost that our brother Peter talked about. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is a realized truth!
Darreyl Bugg
You seem to be confusing changing denomination affliliation with "changing faith".
A change in faith would be from Christian to Jewish or from Islam to Christian. Going from American Baptist to United Metodist is just changing pews. It is the American way and has been for centuries. Why else are there so many denominations?
Some good points in previous posts, most are obviously still working through issues. I hope that no displaced anger come through what I have to say.
Born and raised Catholic, one of the few Catholics you would ever meet that have read the Bible cover to cover. Depending on the audience I still rely heavily on Biblical references to make salient points and give people a common ground for understanding.
According to the church I have a vice, I ask questions. To compound matters I have a near photographic memory, a high genius IQ, and am old enough to have a historical perspective. This is a difficult combination if you want to remain Catholic.
I remember the church going off on a tangent about the Transcendental Meditation people, saying we are all inherently corrupt so the answers must come from outside of ourselves. A few years later the church started teaching the Centering Prayer.
The church has been saying we are the center of the world and the most superior being south of heaven. Yet their Vatican funded telescopes in Arizona are looking for extraterrestrial life at the behest of NASA. As of May 2008 the Vatican says it is (now) not a sin to believe in aliens.
You see where I'm going with this, the church has horded knowledge and punished those that knew better all through history. These things mentioned are just the obvious surface issues. I could probably write for the rest of the afternoon about things that the church has covered up over the centuries and the punishments doled out to the geniuses of each era.
So my prospective isn't like others, my concerns are centered around hidden truths and not some particular scorn for religion. In fact I have studied about other religions and Kabbalah in particular. I believe in God and that Jesus lived, he may not have been who he was made out to be in the Bible, remember the original followers believed in reincarnation for over three hundred years and didn't settle the dispute about Jesus' divinity for over five hundred years.
If I had to classify myself now, some would call this regression, I call it going back to the source, but I see my self a an adept Shaman.
Sorry Mom, I never intended to disappoint you in this way, you did good.
Organized religion is a joke. It was created as a CULT to give power to certain individuals and for them to retain it while providing their non-thinking followers a support group of like mindless ditto-heads. Nothing more. If you want to believe in GOD as I do, talk to the divine one directly.
Faith is believing what you know ain't so.
-Mark Twain
I have left the Catholic church myself; I was naive in my upbringing, thinking that this was the only way, and I just followed along unquestioningly. When I went to college and encountered different viewpoints at first I defended the Catholic teachings but then I started questioning them myself. It just seems too unrealistic, that Jesus lived and died to open the gates of heaven? Why wouldn't they be open in the first place? God wants us to pray to him, honoring his glory? I would think that God has heard enough "Our Fathers" to satisfy this need, does he really need to hear it from me every Sunday in order for me to go to heaven? Seems petty to me. I guess science and logic have helped to steer me from my childhood beliefs, I'm sorry to say.
My "faith" changed once I realized that god is nothing more than dog spelled backwards!
I left the Catholic church when the scandals came out. I know 2 people that wanted to be a priest and got out because of all the stuff that they saw.
Wow Roc. Great point. Lets spell words backward and live our life that way.
As a lifelong mainline protestant who became Catholic a year ago I find this article misleading to say the least. Statistics show that 10% of Protestants are ex Catholics and 7% of Catholics are ex Protestants so the shifting is both ways. An interesting statistic is that a large population (approx 1000) of Protestant clergy have left their respective positions in as pastors or teaching over the last 10 years to become Catholic. These people have advanced theological degrees and risk losing employment, friends and coworkers to become Catholic. Why would a highly educated person do this unless they have discovered something wonderful in the historical objective true in the Catholic faith? My personal experience is that lay Catholics that leave the church have never been properly Catechized or fall victim to our secular society with its subjective ‘me first’ philosophy.
150,000 people just joined the Catholic Church this past Easter. So in spike of what this article may portray, the church is actually growing in this hostile society
Praise God.
Jesus lived his life helping those in need and trying to bring about peace. MANY other people in history have done the same. Some we hear about, but the vast majority we do not. It is a tendency in our culture to pick specific individuals to look towards, good and bad, rather than the type itself. Jesus shares the same type of pedestal as Lindsey Lohan. There are many train wreck young girls in the world, but the culture uses her as an example.
I do not think that Jesus led his life in a bad way at all. I do not think we are silly to look to him as an example for leading a good life. Even the old testement, pre-Jesus, is not exactly a bad set of guidelines for a decent life. While I disagree with many of the specific points, the spirit of the writings make sense.
All that said, I am technically an atheist. I do not think there is any sort of God. Thus, Jesus cannot be God's child. Sorry. I just don't believe it. My catholic upbringing did not hurt me. It taught me history and helped me see how important it is to help others. I am not anti-bible, or anti-catholic, or anti-anything. I send my children to a christian preschool. But I do so not because I believe in God, but because I believe that the bible is a decent guide to life.
Tax exempt cults... You want more tax revenue? Tax the churches.
Slanted article .. researcher must have missed the double sessions in Boston for the Rite of Election, signifying new members' commitment to become Catholic.
"They hate authority, and their pride does them in... the result? Bitterness and hatred (right ontheleft?), and an obsession with attacking Her."
Posted by KJR April 27, 09 01:28 PM
Yeah, KJR, the bitterness and hatred emanating from the "devout" - those such as yourself - is a decided problem with your religion. It's interesting that you project those feelings onto others, in much the same way as one might in early grade school. You have proudly admitted having no perspective that is not the Vatican's - again, in much the same way as one might in early grade school. You grovel at the feet of so-called "authority", and your subsequent sanctimonious arrogance does you in, or at last your ability to think rationally on so many issues.
Jesus is Lord and the only way to heaven. He said it not me! I found out because I wanted to KNOW if there was(is)anything after this life and a Harvard business school graduate shared is faith in Christ with me. Yes, it is right that it is a RELATIONSHIP and not RELIGION. Jesus also said that the way to him is a narrow way and only a few find it! It is offered freely to all but only a few will respond unfortunately.
The gospel according to marc: You said it!
First, you have to buy into the notion that there is a "Son of God". I think that, in itself, excludes a lot of former Christians. Then, you have to recognize that a certain number of non-believers aren't too happy about Jesus being hijacked posthumously as the face of Christianity. He lived and died a Jew. He would not have wanted this "in his name" drivel. The human hand here allows for exceptional distrust and independant thinking. How the words in the Bible are used in a Machiavellian way to exclude people from the club is too much for the non-sheep in the flock. Spirituality has replaced blind faith.
I was brought up as a Catholic. Went to Catholic schools from Kindergarten through high school.
That was many years ago. I was taught the God is all-loving, meaning that he loves all of us. But living my life has changed my point of view. If there is a God, I don't believe that he loves all of us. Millions of people throughout history have been killed in the most cruel ways in the name of God. I take far better car of my cat than God take cares of "his people". If there is an all-powerful God, why does he torture his followers and non followers? Right this second thousands and thousands of people are starving to death. Where is God? This has been going on for thousands of years. Look at all the conflict today. The Taliban are killing people in his name.
All god has to do is show up to the world and he could set things right. But he is nowhere to be found. People here may have something that they attribute to the love of God. But what about the kids that are being sexually abused and killed all over the world.
If there is a God, he is not a loving being. Torturing people is not my idea of love.
It always seemed to me when speaking to the "unaffiliated" who now find themselves "far too intelligent" for any religious dicipline that they left the Church because it was the easiest thing to do. No one likes to be told that they are doing things that are wrong so instead of trying to become a better person according to their religion they just give it up. I was the same way then I realized that those who have faith (any faith) and understands what that truly means to them and to others, not only have an inner discipline that helps them in all facets of life as well as having the hope that faith brings when life becomes difficult.
Unfortunately, I still don't have faith, however, I also do not have the outright hatred and vitriol towards those who believe that quite often resides in the "truly enlightened" who seem to have it all figured out.
The anti-religious have a zeal and a hatred not seen since the early days of the Ku Klux Klan.
I think that the Globe, if it wants to stick around for another 20 days or 20 months, should spend more time and effort in figuring out why people leave its flock of true believers, instead of the Catholic Church. For every Globe reader, there are more than 2,000 Catholics. The Catholic Church, for all of its well-documented faults and failings, continues to grow by millions of people per year, while the Globe's readership continues to shrink by double-digits - and at a much faster rate than newspapers in general.
Organized Religon = The reason behind the majority of violence in this world. It's nothing more than a fairly tale.
“If you have abandoned one faith, do not abandon all faith. There is always an alternative to the faith we lose. Or is it the same faith under another mask?”
Graham Greene
Another classic example of how we create God, and are more than willing to shop around until we find a religion that matches our personal vision of what God should be.
"The anti-religious have a zeal and a hatred not seen since the early days of the Ku Klux Klan." from RugBurn post.
Wow, what a fair and rationale piece of analysis. Let me try it now. Ahem...
The pro-religous have a sense of duty not seen since the apex of the Nazi regime.
Incredible. This is a fun and productive way to increase meaningful dialogue.
I would love to have the faith to believe that the earth was created in 7 days. But, I have thoughts. And that can really screw up the faith thing... Just ask any catholic priest.
One possible reason for folks leaving the Catholic church is its government. It has a king, princes, lords, etc. In othwer words, it is a feudal system. The people who sit in the pews are the lay people. The lay people have no real say in church government and policy, as can be seen by examples of the many church closings. We in the USA are in a democracy. Many Protestant churches are democratic - congregations vote and have a say on everything from the budget, to policy to who should be the minister.
Something to note.
the name Protestant is what is used to label ANY religion that isnot Catholic.
So all other religions as far as Catholics are concerned, are protestant.
Protestant- tp protest against the Catholic religion.
I don't how anyone who actually studies the bible can be Catholic.
I was Catholic and then Christian, for the last 20 years I have been Pagan.
As far as all religion is concerned, Pagans are going to hell. But you must realize, that Pagans are the only ones that truly treat everyone equily and truly Love life, and believe that we are all connected.
And it hurt none, Do what thou wilt...
In my experience, people leave the Catholic faith and switch to a Protestant Church because they want a more personal relationship with God.
However, reading all of these comments that are anti-Church and anti-God made me sad for all of the people that wrote them. I respect the right to believe whatever you want, but I reserve the right to know that my faith in God is correct. Go ahead and say that Christians are idiots, blinded by religion, and fools. I'd rather be called all of those things, it won't matter at all when I am in Heaven rejoicing with Jesus. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. But I would rather be incorrect in believing, than being wrong in not. Go ahead and be a good person. As someone already said, do unto others...but that won't give you eternal life. It just means you were nice.
Granted, I know that a lot of people reading this will think I'm wasting their time, and a moron, but I could honestly care less. I can't imagine a life where I didn't believe in anything. People will ALWAYS let you down. God never will.
"But the pursuit of truth, when it is profound and genuine, requires also a kind of humility which has some affinity to submission to the will of God. The universe is what it is, not what I choose that it should be. If it is indifferent to human desires, as it seems to be; if human life is a passing episode, hardly noticable in the vastness of cosmic processes; if there is no superhuman purpose, and no hope of ultimate salvation, it is is better to know and acknowledge this truth than to endeavor, in futile self-assertation, to order the universe to be what we find comfortable." ~ Bertrand Russell
What about non-Christians? Do we not count or something?
My husband and I left the Catholic church for a number of reasons: out-dated, medieval theology including the church's positions on birth control, abstinence only, unmarried male priests only. We tried various denominations.
We became Episcopalians where we found not only acceptance but a more tolerant and uplifting church where Christ is clearly present and loving.
I believe these stats.....religion, in general, is fast fading in the United States....I was raised Irish-Catholic and I will die a Catholic; however, since 1960 the social-religious structure is eroding rapidly.
Everyone has some minor disagreements about their denomination, but for someone like me, an Italian-Irish-Hispanic, it's deeply rooted in my culture.
I'm not going to change my faith on a whim, like a few people on here have apparently, or because I disagree on a few doctrinal issues. I happen to disagree with the Church on the War in Iraq, for example. And covering up a sex abuse scandal was an appalling act by a few priests and their superiors. But, the Catholic Church is what I know, and helps me connect with God.
Too many people out there act like they are so great for leaving the Church, and it's actually rather ironic how "holier than thou" they sound when they accuse us Catholics of being the same. I encourage you to practice your faith in the way the best suits you, but I sure hope it's not so you can brag to your friends and on boston.com boards.
And to those who have left the Church for either atheism or just apathy, don't worry, we'll welcome you back in your darkest hour. And to those that have found a different denomination that suits you better, I applaud you. Even the Pagan!
We Americans pride ourselves on being good consumers — and that includes shopping around to find the best deal on religion. If our religion doesn't meet our spiritual needs, or if it places too many demands on our way of life or our common sense, there are plenty of other churches up and down the street that may be a better fit.
We Americans also change our religion because we CAN. In many countries, they simply can't. In recent decades, we have also witnessed sweeping political changes and movements that have enlightened us (civil rights, women's rights, gay rights), and so we expect and require the same progressive thinking in our religion — we don't want a nation OR a church that's stuck in the Dark Ages.
The Vatican, for example, doesn't get that. But we American (former) Catholics have evolved in our beliefs and will never be persuaded to step backward again, no matter how loud the bellowing is from the pulpit. Just as we vote freely for the candidates and policies we want, we choose the religious beliefs we'll accept and reject the rest. And just as the majority of us want to keep the government out of our bedrooms, we'd prefer to keep the Church out of there, too.
(In a sense, we're all really Unitarians, if you think about it.)
Me? I buy whatever is on sale.
Probably cause they watch tv and read the newspaper.
Affiliating with a different Christian denomination is not changing one's faith.
And now the good news: America is the most religiously pluralistic nation in the world.
Now if you will all excuse me, I'm outta here, counting the days until His Holiness The Dalai Lama makes his appearance at Gillette Stadium this Saturday May 2 !
I pray that all who respond here may experience Gods total all encompassing love no matter where you choose to meet him.
It's true that many leave the Catholic chuch because of disagreements with its teachings, but it's also true that many who leave have never encountered the transforming power of Christ's love or understood the basis of the Church's teachings. I meet a fair number of these at the Catholic university where I teach. This points to a massive failure in our efforts to foster spiritual growth in Catholic youth. We can and must do better, but for their sake and not to pack the pews! Many students tell me how ill-equipped they are to meet life's challenges; leaving the Church has often not made them any happier or at peace.
We are the only ones smart enough and whose culture is open-minded enough to throw to the side the garbage forced on us as children.
Wow, I read through all the comments before putting in mine, and I must say that there is a quite a bit of different opinions out there. I personally was raised protestant, switched to catholic to marry my husband in the church ( my parents never baptised me, I was no. 4 and they fell out of church by then) and now I am going to a federated church. My kids love it, I love it and I feel great when I leave the church, I feel fullfilled. My husband was brought up Catholic but he came along to check out the church. He felt the church was great and his comment was "the kids love it here, the message is the same but more low key and I like it. That is what it is all about it works for us. Everyone has the right to believe what they want. I am happy and my family is as well. we are creating a foundation for our kids. My children can choose whatever relio
hey KJR ...
I left the Church because of the hypocrisy. I learned that it was really a self centered money grubbing fraud with little historical validity, and learned I was better off without it.
hey Rugburn...
That zeal and that hatred (of gays and anyone else who doesn't conform to that which the bible teaches) is seen every day in the faithful... Then, the blind devotion to a mythology is considered a good thing, where those who have freed themselves from the bonds of self perpetuating delusion are considered hate filled for pointing out the flaws in blind obedience.
Doug, I agree with you.
To the writer of the article...since when is Faith in the US limited to Christians? Are there no Jews or Muslims (or Buddhists...or Hindis etc.) here? I get that yours is a blog about Catholicism, Evangelicalism and Mainline Protestantism but really, a more ecumenical approach is in order.
I am a Catholic and one of the more disheartening trends that I see, as several other posters have mentioned, is the desire of people to shop around for a church (either within the Catholic religion or outside of it). My town has two Catholic churches and it just seems so superficial to me when people switch between parishes because this one has a more youthful pastor or that one has a less demanding religious education curriculum or one parish is "cooler" or "more fun" than the other. Seriously? If you don't like the vibe, programs, energy at your parish, don't just bail and head for greener pastures, put some effort into making things better. Religion is (or should be) about a relationship with God that shapes your attitudes and actions in such a way that the world is a better place because you are in it. It's not about what makes you feel good and happy...it's about what makes you get outside of your own self-centeredness and into serving the world and those in it who need your gifts.
Brothers study Islam .You will find new world.A world of truth and satisfication guarntee. Dont afraid from media propoganda against islam
"Anthony" says: "In the table Common Reasons for leaving Childhood Faith, notice there is not a question about Raised Protestant, now Catholic? Do I detect an anti-Catholic bias?
No, Anthony -- The answer to your question is just that only an insignificant number of respondents have chosen that path -- When people are raised to believe in their own goodness, & to think & reason for themselves, it's hard to make a backwards "leap of faith..."
I was raised as a Southern Baptist, abandoned my faith in college, and tried Catholicism after I married a Roman Catholic.
We eventually settled on the Episcopal Church because, even though it is Protestant, it still uses the formal liturgy that is very similar to the form of Catholic worship.
I now identify myself as Episcopalian, although my wife still calls herself Catholic.
I agree with the comment on all being Unitarian. For those of you who are looking for something without any dogma, wanting to find your own way, being a member of a congregation that votes for what it wants; can believer on God or not, may or may not be a Christian - check out the Unitarian church.
From a history point of view, I always thought is went doen hill during and after Charlemagne. For the 1st 1,000 years of Christianism, if one lead a good life, one was rewarded. But that didn't work too well if one needed to hold the folks in-line when you are running the Holy Roman Empire. After that, it was sin, guilt, and power of control. Kind-of lost the early focus of doing good being rewarded.
Colbus comment #33 is right on target.
I am a cradle Catholic who went to Mass every Sunday and Holy Day, received all the Sacraments, went to CCD but never knew until twelve years ago I could know Jesus personally. I started going back to Mass but also started to develop a relationship with Jesus through prayer. As my prayer life deepened I started to ask Jesus to provide me with understanding and guide me. I also started to research what the Catholic Church taught and why. I decided not to allow the horrible acts of Men within the Church to keep me from seeking the Truth. The acts of people religious or otherwise do not keep the Catholic Church from being a Holy Institution started by Jesus. It has also become clear to me that most even practicing Catholics are not receiving the entire truth from the Pulpit. I decided to search out a parish where the entire Truth was taught not a watered down version. Through daily prayer, regular Mass attendance and reception of the Sacraments including Confession, trying my best to follow the Commandments and spending most of my spare time serving God and His Church through youth ministry I continue to fall more in Love with Jesus and His Church. As a youth group we also spend time adoring the Jesus during adoration. I have seen many miracles occur when people just sit in front of Jesus and ask Him to heal them and transform them. There are many misunderstandings of the Church and much of that is due to mediocre Priests and of course people not searching out what the Church teachings really are on so called controversial issues. I will paraphrase one of my favorite quotes. "There aren't 100 people who hate the Catholic Church but there are thousands who hate what they perceive the Church to be.
I am a 60 year old male who left the Roman Catholic Church in 2001. Several commenters use phrases like "leaving on a whim." My decision was anything but a whim! I attended mass faithfully my entire adult life. I was a trained and certified master catechist in the Diocese of San Jose, a member and ultimately director of the catechumenate. I took my Catholicism very seriously. But I never agreed with Humanae Vitae, having studied it in undergraduate and gratuate moral theology courses. For me the "deal breaker" was the stubbornness of the leadership about celibacy and women in ministry. I chose the Episcopal Church for the form of worship, and I've been very happy since.
Kai,
You know that the Catholic Church does not hate gays; it hates no one, because its Lord Jesus Christ hates no one. The Church disapproves of homosexual sexual activity, because it disapproves of all extra-marital sex, and gays are not married, no matter what margaret marshall et al. say.
LarryBudd quotes Mark Twain, which absurdly make Twain his god.
Mycroft (brother of Sherlock Holmes) has a 'wicked' inflated view of himself! He wants to make some "salient points." He is one of the few Catholics to read the Bible cover to cover--sez he. (I have 5 times, sez I) He has a "high genius IQ." Guess that doesn't include spelling, when he speaks of "horded [sic] knowledge."
The best comments were Colbus #33, and Joey Geneva.
The article points out that most religion changes are made by the age of 24. To me, this shows that the young 'un is more revoltin' against his/her parents, and to do so revolt against the parents' religion/denomination. There is a real truth to this, unfortunately. I know many devout Catholic parents who unfortunately do not manifest the "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness" etc. of Galatians 5:22, but then are surprised when the kid thinks mom or dad talks the talk, but doesn't walk the walk.
Thank you gaudete, for pointing out my grammatical error. Horded is indeed an intransitive verb. I should like that to read (...) the church has been hording knowledge and punished those that knew better all through history.
Quite careless of me, really.
Your point is well taken gaudete. Furthermore I can appreciate your interests in #33 and in #42 the other persons sited. However could we not construe #33's comments about 'being properly Catechized' as 'being properly brainwashed'? And indeed #42's comments seem to indict the news paper or the 'messenger' for the woes of the church. Consider this, if you will, if it were not for the exercise of freedom of speech in the United States and elsewhere, priests would still be treating little boys like Popsicles, wouldn't they?
gaudete, I really must thank you now for pointing out two more reasons why the Catholic church is responsible for self inflicted wounds. You have added considerable value to this discussion.
Mycroft,
Respectfully I'd have to say your comment about being brainwashed shows you don't know truly what Catholicism actually teaches. First and foremost it requires knowing Jesus personally through daily prayer, regular attendance at Mass and reception of the Sacraments, and service for God. It's about a deep personal relationship with God. You can't brainwash a heart. Leaders of the Church should teach the truth but always leave it up to each individuals free will as to whether they choose to follow.
No true following Catholic is accepting to the many wrongs that have been done by PEOPLE associated with the Church. We know everyone whom had anything to do in action or coverup for abusing children will be judged by God and should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. This doesn't change the fact that the Catholic Church in itself is a Holy institution started by Jesus. Until Jesus returns Humans from all Churches and secular institutions will continue to do evil. Perhaps the most wonderful news is anyone can always enter or come back to the Church just as the prodigal son did. If you are truly repentent and serve any proper penalties if they are justified Jesus will forgive you no matter what you've done. And as 17 year old Katie told me several years ago, "You can't brown nose Jesus."
Peace and Blessings,
proud2bcatholic, I will inform my mother who taught CCD for 25 years, that her indoctrination was not 'good enough' for those whom 'pride themselves to be Catholic'. (pride or too proud, I'll let God judge you as you say)
Of my entire parish I was one of only eight students to graduate from the CCD program. Between you and gaudete, I don't know who is more likely to rush to judgment about someone you don't know. Oh, but I forget you have had the full benefit of the teachings of the Catholic church wherefore you have the right to find my education somewhat lacking...
Thank you also, for setting me straight on my religious facts concerning Catholicism.
Well said Martha # 5.
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