WHY RELIGION IS IN TROUBLE

Second in a Series of Five Articles

"What do you think of when you hear the word 'Christian?'" I've been peddling that question around recently to people of all ages. I've asked it among those who have been fortunate enough to be better educated, and among those whose academic background is more limited. From all the various groups I get similar answers. “Christian means narrow, anti- gay, anti-women's rights, politically conservative and probably inclined to support the tea-party."

"Do you go to church?" was the next question. While the people I asked were probably more faithful to their churches than typical Americans, even among them I was startled by the number who admit they rarely darken the door. Even in my intentional community composed of former religious professionals, significant numbers find other things to do Sunday mornings.

Among young adults and college age people, there is a substantial body of former church advocates, and those who were raised in some church oriented family, who somewhere along the line have abandoned that commitment.  In a letter from a pillar of a congregation I know well, came the statement that he still loves the church community, and works hard in it, but has given up on all that doctrinal stuff—God talk—which he no longer believes, if he ever did. And now he takes a dim view of the narrowness he finds among religious people who say they are "Bible believing Christians."

What is increasingly true in the US, is ubiquitous in most of the formerly strong Christian nations. Throughout Europe churches are almost empty. This Week magazine cites a former Irish Catholic priest who has long since left his calling. Here is how he puts it. "How can they (the Catholic hierarchy) deny men who are serving you the comfort of marriage and children? How can they deny sending condoms to Africa? How can they deny women becoming priests?"

While in the United Stares there is still a solid collection of robust liberal congregations, all denominational statistics say the same thing—the indices are dramatically down. Churches are closing, money is harder to raise, and the level of commitment is continually shrinking. Even among evangelicals, the church growth boom has leveled out, and many of the largest congregations have seen a steady decline in participation. Some have already disbanded or sold their impressive buildings. The Crystal Cathedral in Southern California is a case in point.

If all the above sounds like bad news for religion, it just may be a harbinger of very good news. Phyllis Tickle, one of the world’s most articulate theologians, says that the every 500 years the church must have a huge garage sale in which it cleans out its useless relics. Perhaps what is happening is a clearing of the ecclesial closets prior to the dawning of a fresh religious sensitivity. The precursor of a new reformation may already be apparent to those who look around. But that is a topic for a subsequent column.

Among substantial numbers of both former or never were Christians, "I’m spiritual, but not religious" is the way it often gets put. Religious institutions and doctrines are no longer of interest. Among them there is little concern for such things as defining God or even finding arguments for God’s existence, debating religious truth, or even discussing why one religion is better than any of the others. The virgin birth, miracles, what it means to be saved by Jesus’ blood, or the meaning of the creeds hold no interest. What is more, these "nons" don't want anything to do with churches they believe are anti-gay, narrow, and hold that women’s role is to serve men. Somehow they now assume all churches are fixated on these matters.

Part of the difficulty lies in the common identification by the media of "Christian" with "conservative."  Liberal religion has allowed the word to be given away to the extent that progressive Christians run from even claiming the designation. "I’m not one of those!"

Next week I want to look at what is means when somebody says, "I'm spiritual, but not religious."

Charles Bayer

candwbayer@verizon.net