Let's analyze the BIG question--is the value of religion declining within the United States of America?
As the increase of distractions continue to increase for the average citizen--technology, relationships, work, money, education, family, health, stress, and demanding social lives-- is religion becoming less influential and practiced?
According to a recent poll conducted, "77% of Americans say religion is losing its influence. Since 1957, when the question was first asked, Americans' perception of religion's power has never been lower....75% of Americans said the country would be better off if it were more religious" (CNN).
Let's back up--
"The majority of Americans (73–76%) identify themselves as Christians and about 15–20% have no religious affiliation. According to the American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) (2008) 76% of the American adult population identified themselves as Christians, with 25% identifying themselves as Catholics, and 51% identifying themselves as Christians spanning some 30 religious groupings . The same survey says that other religions (including, for example, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism) collectively make up about 4% of the adult population, another 15% of the adult population claim no religious affiliation, and 5.2% said they did not know, or they refused to reply. According to a 2012 survey by the Pew forum, 36 percent of Americans state that they attend services nearly every week or more" (Wikipedia).
Ah-ha! America is known as one of the top nations worldwide for religious freedom. According to the first amendment of the United State Constitution, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." America has drawn people worldwide, giving the people the freedom to practice any religion without any governmental control--thus, known as separation of church and state. However, that itself is a whole new argument...
But! There is a but--
"Despite a high level of religious adherence, only 9% of Americans in a 2008 poll said religion was the most important thing in their life, compared with 45% who said family was paramount in their life and 17% who said money and career was paramount" (Wikipedia).
So let me ask YOU for a few questions--
First, do you practice religion?
Second, do you believe that religious practice and influence is increasing or declining within the nation, or even worldwide?
Third, do you believe that the country would be better off if religion was more practiced or less practiced?
Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Feel free to leave comments and continue to follow my blog as we uncover more religious arguments and debates. And of course, thank you for taking the time to read my posts.
Yours Truly,
Ashlyn Meyer
Take a peek at some of these videos:
References:
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/05/29/poll-america-losing-its-religion/?iref=allsearch
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_the_United_States
Based off of:
http://ehis.ebscohost.com.ez2.maricopa.edu/ehost/detail?vid=12&sid=57a1b3ef-5169-40a6-bcbf-5d7b6719d08e%40sessionmgr104&hid=106&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=79893568
By: Glendon, Mary Ann. Emory Law Journal. 2012 Special Issue, Vol. 61, p971-990. 20p.
Hey there! First off the concept of your post is something I've been seeing debated more and more, and because of this I would say that the practice of religion and the belief in religion is declining in America. I personally don't follow any religion and that was a choice made based upon the many religious backgrounds I grew up in. I feel like many Americans can relate to this because we live in a giant melting pot. We are surrounded by so much culture and diversity that it is inevitable to dodge religious views that do not coincide with your own. This gives Americans choice, knowledge and opportunity and, at least in my case, is causing me to stray away from religion altogether.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to the question of whether or not the practice of religion would benefit America, call for a subjective response. Also the question was very vague. In what way can a country benefit from the exercise of religion? Would it help crime rates, our decision making as a country, the economy, how exactly are you guiding this question?
Hi Ashlyn!! I grew up a practicing Catholic. My parents sent me private Catholic elementary school and a private all girl high school. As I grew older I moved from Pentecostal to Seventh Day Adventist. I have come to the conclusion that there are good people and bad people everywhere. There exist hypocritical people and sincere people in every church I have gone to. I think that is why people have become so disillusioned with religion and prefer to not even deal with it. I definitely have seen a decline in the practice if religion. It is usually the individual interest a person wants to invest in their spiritual growth. I work in a school and more times then not the families that come in from a faith based background have the better behaved children. Coincidence?? I think not!
ReplyDeleteHello Ashlyn,
ReplyDeleteI grew up Christian and still practice the Christian religion. What I have learned over the years is that God is love and love is above all. So with that said all people and their own believe is respected out of love and we are not to judge one another.
As for the s Constitution and it saying that no law shall be based upon religious believes, but yet God is all inside of our laws as well as our court rooms.
For many years religion had a big impact on how laws were made. The Christian religion was modified several times to build of different communities; Especially the Roman Empire when they dominated over the Jews.
I believe that God will have his way to reach every one of every religion. Rather you believe in Christianity, Muslim, or if you are a Buddhist, you will find a way to connect with God the most high in one way or another. I also don’t believe that we should create the laws of the land based off of religion because it takes away many peoples freedoms.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI really like the use of multimedia in your blog. It is hard to say if religious practice is increasing or decreasing because it depends on who you surround yourself with. If your social group revolves around those that share your religious beliefs and practice with you or at the same building as you, then your first response might be to quickly state that religion is strong and increasing. But if you do not practice religion and no one in your social group does then you might feel right in saying that less and less people are practicing religion. Deciding is the country would be better off with more or less religion is difficult to answer because everyone has different goals in life and if those goals for themselves and for those around them line up with their religion, then more religion is better. But I think that that is not always the case.
ReplyDeleteI actually was baptized Catholic and attended Catholic school, but that's as far as it goes. I believe in God, but I feel that when you start putting a label on things, it gets out of hand. We are all separated by a few versus here and there when they all basically have the same objective or message. I know religion is definitely decreasing at although I don't attend church, I feel it was needed especially as a part of my childhood.People aren't going like they used to. They don't follow the word and teach their children like they used to. It just seems like it's about money now.
ReplyDelete