Fewer People Think Religion is Important. What can Believers Do?



The view that religion is "important" dropped from the 60% range to under 30% in recent decades among democrats. Among Republicans, it dropped buy only about 20%. The religious right is wringing its hands over this drop. It claims false doctrine has taken the place of the real stuff. Instead of whining, the religious right should be figuring out why this is happening and trying to reverse the downward trajectory. Instead, it is watching its numbers fall and complaining.

I've been watching commentary of the national convention of Missouri Synod Lutherans. One set of younger preachers has been telling the rest of the denomination on videos that the million-member drop is continuing because its churches are often in rural areas that are emptying and the average ago of member is rising increasing deaths. They believe the decline might slow if the requirements for preachers were made less expensive with on-line degrees so and more preachers could be licensed who in turn could start new churches in growing areas. Mostly, this new idea is going nowhere because its university officials want students on campus, not becoming certified on-line, and existing preachers feel they paid big bucks so why allow newbies a better deal. 

Throughout the conservative wing of the faith there is resistance to women, gays and critical thinking applied to the Bible. That the Bible might be merely one more of many written products of ancient times and that it might reflect the myths, prejudices and superstitions of its day is unacceptable. Young people today gravitate easily to questioning the motives of authors and cultural settings of all literature, including the Bible. They grew up amid more advertising and propaganda than any other generation and have game faces on when they see it.

What can believers do to stem the tide? Admit the weaknesses. Point out that some people are helped by believing in invisible beings. Admit this is not everyone's need. 


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