"Spiritual but Not Religious" is Not Spiritual or Religious

For so many years since the decline of religion started there have been press stories saying that people left religion remain "spiritual." The religious press glops onto this and says, "See, the public really has not changed at all. It is just as religious as ever. Those who are confused will return to the church soon."

Church data tell us the decline has continued regardless of prayers for "revival" or false hopes the public would return. Now, a survey finds those who call themselves "nones" and who may refer to being "spiritual" really have little use for religion. They have lost interest in both organized religion as in churches and any other private religious views. They have simply walked away, seemingly never to return.

The favorite word the Christian right uses to describe nones is "confused." If you as anyone at the circle of atheists I attend you will not find a single person who considers herself confused. It is, instead, conservative Christians who are confused are the reality of what is happening in the U.S. This reality is a slow but steady death of the faith. When the very last Christian dies, the god(s) she worshipped will also die.

The link uses a question about "how important" is religion in one's life and in one's thinking. To those who no longer identify with Christianity religion is not important at all. It seems religion is both out of sight and out of mind to this growing demographic.