A new study finds that many young Americans are walking away from organized religion—not because they’ve lost belief, but because their values around authenticity, justice, and individual autonomy conflict with the teachings and politics of religious institutions.

Over the past few decades, the number of Americans who identify as religiously unaffiliated—often referred to as “nones”—has grown rapidly. In the 1970s, only about 5% of Americans fell into this category. Today, that number exceeds 25%. Scholars have debated whether this change simply reflects a general decline in belief, or whether it signals something more complex. The research team wanted to explore the deeper forces at play: Why are people leaving institutional religion? What are they replacing it with? And how are their personal values shaping that process?

  • MouldyCat@feddit.ukEnglish
    72·
    24 hours ago

    If your religion leads you to hate, you aren’t worshiping God, you’re worshiping the Devil.

    And this is how wars between religions start…

    Maybe try to move away from that God/Devil thing. It’s a foolish, naive, human-centered worldview.

    • bpalmerau@aussie.zone
      English
      10·
      23 hours ago

      Ok, we can restate it. If your religion leads you to hate, you aren’t on the side of good, you’re on the side of bad?

      • MouldyCat@feddit.ukEnglish
        35·
        23 hours ago

        alright, but is the world really as black and white as that? Is there really a clear Good Side, and a clear Bad Side?

        • Tinks@lemmy.worldEnglish
          4·
          9 hours ago

          If your religion leads you to hate, the religion and its followers are bad. The end.