Erica Dinse

Kyle King

Rhetoric and Civic Life

4 November 2016

The Rejection of Organized Religion

In the past, presidential candidates in the United States, no matter their ideological

differences, seemed to all have one thing in common- a profession of religious beliefs. Of all

elected presidents in the history of the United States, only two of 43 have not had religious

affiliations, while the rest belonged to some denomination of Christianity (Masci). America is,

after all, one Nation under God, and how could a potential president be entrusted with the

responsibility to lead the country if their faith is not at the forefront of all they do? Recently,

however, there has been less pressure on political figures to be religiously devoted. President

Barrack Obama and his family were members of a church in their hometown of Chicago, but

once moving to Washington D.C., his family never became regular members of any religious

institution. In the more recent past, presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, while Jewish, openly

admitted to not being involved in organized religion (Popularity). Despite this, he performed

surprisingly well, gaining widespread support across the Democratic party. The huge number of

US citizens who were in favor of Sanders and the few that were bothered by the Obamas

absence from a religious community are indicative of the shift in how Americans view religion.

To many, it is not a central part of their lives as it once was. In fact, from 2007 to 2014, the

percent of religiously affiliated adults in the US decreased by 6.6% (Cooperman), leaving a

population of over 50 million unaffiliated adults, or nones as they are known. This number
only continues to grow, as it has since it was first tracked in the 1940s. Reasons may be

different for each person, but there are some common trends that can be observed as reasons for

why so many are separating themselves from religion. These include changing beliefs, faults

found with religious institutions, and the changing social dynamics of modernized society.

In 2014, the Pew Research Center conducted a Religious Landscape Study (7) that

surveyed over 35,000 individuals across the entire United States about their religious affiliations

and related areas of their lives. Researchers found that less people were indeed religiously

affiliated, yet were not necessarily less spiritual (Cooperman). While large numbers of people

no longer attend religious services, and less say they believe in God, this statistic did not decline

as much as would be expected based on church attendance. In 2007, 92 percent of the United

States adult population expressed a belief in God, and seven years later, in 2014, this number had

decreased only by three precent. Additionally, Pew researchers observed that although the

nones are becoming less involved in religious practices (praying, attending services, etc.), the

religiously affiliated are becoming even more religiously observant, and the share of people

who regularly feel spiritual peace is increasing (Cooperman). These trends suggest that more

individuals are distancing themselves from organized religion, rather then becoming less

religious.

Each year, Gallup surveys a sample of adults in the United States about their religious

preferences (Religion). Surprisingly, most religious groups have not exhibited significant

downward trends, with the exception of one- Protestants. In 1948, when Gallup first began

polling on this subject, 69 percent of respondents identified as Protestant, and this number

continued to drop until it reached an all time low in 2015- 38 percent. The second largest
religious group is Catholics, which peaked at 29 percent in 1978, but lowered to 23 percent by

2015. This is nowhere near the 31 percent drop in Protestant affiliation, so much of my research

focused in on reasons why people leave the Christian church, specifically those in the Protestant

faith.

It would make sense that many individuals who are raised in non-religious homes would

continue to dismiss organized religion in their adult lives, but this demographic only makes up

22 percent of religious nones (Lipka). Surprisingly, the remaining 78 percent were raised as

members of a religion, with half of them pointing to a lack of belief as a reason they left their

faith group. As research and technology advances, more and more questions about the universe,

as well as phenomena initially credited as supernatural occurrences, are now being explained

through science. One of the biggest examples of this is the ongoing Creation versus Evolution

debate. There still exists a wide scope of beliefs on this issue, but many people are accepting the

scientific evidence for an Earth that is billions of years old in favor of accounts given in the

Bible- that the Earth was created in six days. A culmination of scientific evidence, such as that

surrounding the beginnings of our planet, often leads individuals to change their beliefs. This can

also cause those who might be curious about religion to hold back from embracing some

religious affiliation. Jenna Snyder is a freshman in college studying Biochemistry, and when

asked about her personal belief system, she says, I want to believe in [God], but I dont know if

I can fully do that. Cause to me it just seems like a foreign thing, that theres this person who

exists, because I very heavily believe in science (Snyder). Jenna did not grow up with parents

who were religious, nor does she consider herself religiously affiliated now, but she remembers

attending Sunday School with her extended family and a Christian camp in the summers when
she grew up. She was exposed to the Christian faith and says she is open to learning more about

different religions, but notes that she looks to science to explain much of the world today, citing

the theory of creation as an example. For others, the reasons are more personal. Some may

witness or experience a traumatic event, such as an abusive relationship or the loss of a loved

one, and doubt the existence of a loving God who would allow such things to happen. Others

may have questions that are never answered. I recently spoke with Matthew Doering, a staff

member at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in State College, Pennsylvania. Matthew has been

involved in organized religion his whole life, and he recalls a friend of his who left the church

they grew up in.

Theres a buddy of mine that I grew up going to church withwe were confirmed

togetherand on and off through high school he'd come [to church], but, there

were just different things that he had issues with. He had questions, and he

wanted to be able to dig deeper into what God says about them, and what the

Bible says about them, and that personal aspect of really someone taking the time

to sit down with him and delve into that was not met. So now he is a proclaimed

atheist (Doering).

There are many who, like this friend, had needs or expectations for the church that were not met,

and have since distanced themselves from organized religion, or rejected religious beliefs

altogether.

Hopes for answered questions are not the only expectations religious institutions are held

to. A solid church community was a staple in many families lives in the past, and while

community is still a need, many are looking to other places to find it. Whether this is in the
workplace, at the gym, or even online, there are now more outlets for individuals and families to

invest themselves in. Why though, have they been pulling away from church as a community?

Matthew Doering thinks that this is largely due to changes in societal values, pointing to a more

individual-centered outlook on life- an I need to know this/have this now mentality. Because

organized religion is not always about catering to the individual, Matthew describes, people

are doubting what organized religion can do (Doering). In a world that values convenience,

efficiency, and instant gratification, we appreciate our work that brings money, but the Bible

teaches us to give away our belongings. We enjoy our movies, family time, and daily exercise

habits, but involvement in organized religion means that we have to pause our busy schedules

once a week to attend services. A Gallup poll conducted in 2007 found that 21 percent of adults

who dont attend church just dont get around to it or dont have time (Just why). Even if

some of these individuals do profess religious beliefs, they may just prefer to practice them on

their own.

Similarly, others may be more opposed to facets of organized religion than the actual

beliefs a certain religion embraces. Most notably, they may choose to distance themselves

because of faults they find in a church or other religious organization. One of the biggest

examples of this is the sexual abuse scandal within the Catholic Church that came to light in

recent years, and although affiliation with the Catholic denomination has seem some decline in

the past two decades or so, it has not been very substantial (Religion). Regardless, when the

public was made aware that Catholic officials had worked to cover up instances of sexual abuse

of minors by priests or higher-ups, the Church lost credibility in the eyes of some. Some who lost

faith in religious leaders, but not their beliefs, decided they did not need organized religion or a
religious community to hold to their belief system. Others dislike the hierarchal nature of some

churches, or the fact that they are run like a business (Lipka). Some just see churchgoers or

organized religion as a whole as judgmental, pushing their beliefs on non-believers or ignoring

their own faults to point out flaws in others. In the same way, churches that hold to more

traditional beliefs regarding controversial topics may be seen as behind the times. The subject

of homosexuality and whether it should be accepted by religious institutions is a big area of

debate for many. When I spoke with Jenna, she mentioned that she views some parts of the Bible

as old fashioned like when people say gays cant be married (Snyder). She is one of many

who share similar ideas about the Bible as a social commentary, especially common among

young adults.

The Religious Landscape Survey carried out by Pew Research actually reveals that

younger Americans display far lower levels of attachment to organized religion than their

parents and grandparents generations did when they were the same age, and when comparing

each generation today, religious beliefs, behaviors, and its importance decreases as individuals

get younger (Cooperman). This is most evident among Millennials, or those born in the 1980s

and 90s. I had the opportunity to speak with Rebecca Kennedy, a campus ministry intern with

the Coalition for Christian Outreach working specifically with students from the Pennsylvania

State University. A Millennial herself, Rebecca asserts that young people tend to see religion as

something that theyll be a part of when theyre older (Kennedy), and research has shown this

to be true for many young adults (Cooperman). Rebecca continues to suggest that they may see

Christianity as having some some good morals that they'd want their kids to grow up learning,

but this doesnt guarantee that religion is currently of much importance in their lives. Jenna
echoes this thought, agreeing that the Bible has many teaching moments, even though she

doesnt agree with everything (Snyder). Millennials are also growing up in a United States that is

more ethnically, culturally, and religiously diverse than it was before. Their increased exposure

to diversity may allow for them to be more open to learning about and exploring religions other

than their own. This may effect the number of Millennials that return back to their faith, as do a

portion of other generations.

Regardless of if an individual decides to return to their initial religious affiliation, reasons

religious nones have for shedding their affiliation can include a lack of belief, a poor view of

religious institutions, or opposing worldviews. Whatever the reason, its clear that religion can

influence and be influenced by a wide variety of factors in an individuals life. A better

comprehension of these reasons can lead to more understanding and respect between conflicting

viewpoints.
 Works Cited

Cooperman, A. (Ed.). (2015, November 3). U.S. Public Becoming Less Religious. Retrieved
October 17, 2016, from http://www.pewforum.org/2015/11/03/u-s-public-becoming-less-
religious/

Doering, M. (2016, October 28). Organized Religion [Personal interview].

Ingraham, C. (2016, July 14). The non-religious are now the countrys largest religious voting
bloc. Retrieved October 21, 2016, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/
2016/07/14/the-non-religious-are-now-the-countrys-largest-religious-voting-bloc/

Just why do Americans attend church? (2007). Retrieved October 20, 2016, from http://
www.gallup.com/poll/27124/Just-Why-Americans-Attend-Church.aspx

Kennedy, R. (2016, October 26). Personal Value of Organized Religion [Personal interview].

Lipka, M. (2016). Why Americas nones left religion behind. Retrieved October 14, 2016, from
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/08/24/why-americas-nones-left-religion-behind/

Masci, D. (2016). Almost all U.S. presidents have been Christians. Retrieved October 25, 2016,
from http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/02/12/almost-all-u-s-presidents-have-been-
christians/

The popularity of Bernie Sanders speaks volumes about Americans rejection of organized
religion. (n.d.). Retrieved November 25, 2016, from http://www.salon.com/2016/01/28/
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Religion. (2016). Retrieved October 18, 2016, from http://www.gallup.com/poll/1690/

Religion.aspx

Snyder, J. (2016, November 01). Views on Religion [Personal interview].

U.S. Satisfaction With Religion Settling at Lower Levels. (2015). Retrieved November 01, 2016,
from http://www.gallup.com/poll/181532/satisfaction-religion-settling-lower-levels.aspx

Wormald, B. (2015). Religious Landscape Study. Retrieved October 18, 2016, from http://
www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/