And, according to Pew Research, you can blame “youth’s religious disaffection” on their “discomfort with religiosity having been tied to conservative politics.” [Politics Daily]
It’s Not That Young People Are Becoming Less Religious. It’s That They’re Becoming Less Religulous
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terrwill
Thanks to the internets and the inclusion of Gays on the more tv shows that appeal to teens, especially MTV kids now see that Gays are not the scary, demented, evil, predators that the rightwing religious scumbags continue to portray us as. There are Gay/straight clubs in elementary schools now, kids are comming out at 12 and 13 years old. They hear these religious asshats spewing their poo at their friends and they are going to be turned off to their sad, tired dogma. Survey after survey have shown that the acceptance of all things Gay increases dramaticaly as the age of respondants decreases.
Again, we have to wait til the old haters fcuk off and die (literaly)
DR
What you fail to mention from the study is that when these kids hit their twenties and thirties, if the trends continue (which they are), they’ll be back in church of some sort, just not likely the church of their parents. They’ll go to the more liberal-leaning churches which spend as much time on saving your fellow man as saving your own soul. This usually coincides with the recognition that they don’t have to go to their parent’s church any more and that not all religions follow the path of the Religious Right.
Lucas
I don’t think they will necessarily be in more liberal churches, they will most likely gravitate toward less political evangelical churches. Evangelical, charismatic, and Pentecostal churches still are very attractive to people, young and old, but there seems to be a growth in nonpolitical or even progressive evangelical churches that are not overtly political. A lot f progressive people are actually evangelical or charismatic in faith. People just don’t want their faith tied to political or social issues.
ChicagoJimmy
It’s also possible they will continue to grow the ranks of atheists and agnostics who make up 20% of this country. My personal journey has informed me that morality and good ethics do not come from religion.
Someone said, we’re all atheists, its just that I believe in one less god than you do. When you realize why you don’t believe in all those other gods, you’ll recognize why I don’t believe in yours.
AndrewW
The big divide in religion is based on whether the Bible is the literal word of God or inspired guidance. People have matured in their beliefs and religion is not forced on young people as much as it used to be.
That’s why two-thirds of religious people now see it as an “ideal,” but not the “truth” or God’s word. We still have the recalcitrant “God said” crowd, but they are declining in numbers and intensity.
It makes much more sense for us, as the LGBT Movement, to embrace those who have opened their minds and are willing to support our equality. They are able to put equality before religion and that’s good news for us.
DR
Actually, ChicagoJimmy, the study specifically pointed out that although the Millenials are not affiliated with mainstream denominations, they do hold a belief in God:
45% pray daily.
66% believe in God with absolute certainty
The study concluded that a majority of Millenials want to experience God in the world, in the works they do, not just in a Church.
terrwill
They also see whores like Miss Beverley Hillbillys cherrypicking verses from the bible proclaiming how “religious” they are and see what fcuking hyprocrites they are and want nothing to do with that charade…………
DoubleDay
The good news is I believe Jesus’s teaching in A Course in Miracles will become the path of choice eventually. I think we will be seeing churches pop up more and more using it. At least I hope so. There are no judgement sin or punishment antics within its book covers which I believe we are all growing out of.
AlfonzoChavez
I’m find that my generation is a lot let interested in religion and more interested in truth.
Lukas P.
@AlfonzoChavez: Yes, they are “a lot let” interested in history too. Or literature. Or economics.
*But* they can text, tweet, talk — and, so I have heard, perform and Receive oral sex ALL AT THE SAME TIME.
Not that they’re too easily distracted or anything!
: ~ p
Brian NYC
@terrwill: Miss Beverly Hillbillies isn’t “cherry picking bible verses” she is just one of the 33% that believe the Bible is literally the “word of God.” What she said, she believes God said.
Peter
Might it be that it is “the only” bible verse that Miss Hillbilly knows? (Certainly has not read the rest of it.)
romeo
God never spoke to anyone, at least not verbally. Otherwise He would have clued the bible writers into the fact that the earth revolves around the sun, and not the vice-versa repeatedly stated in that book. If He’s there and speaking at all, it’s undoubtedly beyond words and beyond mere mortal comprehension. He is God after all. Some of the people who wrote the bible, the parts they didn’t lift from the Sumerians and Mesopotamians, probably meant well. But in the end they were a bunch of politicians and control freaks. Not of much use to the modern world, which is the problem. The smarter religious whackos know this, and they’re screaming louder now out of desperation, not confidence.
Brian NYC
@Peter: No, i’m sure she knows many bible verses. When she was a child and very impressionable, she was taught by people she trusted, most likely parents, under the threat of Hell.
To deny that happens, misses the point. She was infected as a child and believes she knows God’s words. Calling her names doesn’t do anything to assist her or our movement. Perhaps, laughing at her does, but ignoring her does the most good. These literalists are marginalizing themselves. When we attack them, we sink to their level – ignorance.
terrwill
@Brian NYC: Brian, they do in fact cherry pick verses that fit into their agenda. If they really followed the bible in every aspect as they want it applied to Gays consider:
THESE ARE ALL ACTUAL BIBLE VERSES (well, the first part anyway):
______Greet one another with a holy kiss. (1 Corinthians 16:20)
Especially Catholic Priests when greeting Altar Boys.
______Women should remain silent in the churches. (1 Corinthians 14:34)
Yeah, because men are so much more rational when it comes to expounding on superstitious nonsense.
______Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable. (Leviticus 18:22)
I don’t…I lie with a man as one lies with a man. Try it sometime. Oooo, baby!! That’s delectable.
______Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material. (Leviticus 19:19)
We are all Doomed!!!!
______If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, he shall pay the girl’s father fifty shekels of silver. He must marry the girl, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives. (Deuteronomy 22:28-29)
Wow! A hefty fine and a shotgun wedding for rape. What kind psychopaths wrote this holy crap? …Oh, I’m sorry, “uneducated straight men” — of course. The reason why those same poisonous fairytales persist today across the globe. Go figure!
______Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man. (Genesis 9:6)
Watch out war-mongers — it’s not good for the “image“. Last time I looked in the mirror, God looked like he was getting fat. I need to go on a diet.
______Sell your possessions and give to the poor. (Luke 12:33)
You hear that Republicans, and especially Pat Robertson; Dr. James C. Dobson (from Focus on the Phony), and all of you other sinfully rich bitches? Cough it up, Paris and Britney! Now!!!
______Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work (Exodus 20:9-10)
So close down all of those heathen hospitals; immoral police precincts and blasphemous fire departments on Sunday immediately you “disrespecting the Sabbath Day” sinners!
_____If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head. A man ought not to cover his head (1 Corinthians 11:6-7)
Wow! That must be confusing to Orthodox Jewish people and cowboys — but understandable for nuns.
______If a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him (1 Corinthians 11:14)
Uh…I wonder if Jesus read this one? Maybe his hair just looks longer in those pictures. And what about Samson? In the Old Testament, it was a sin to cut your hair. I’m confused.
______If you are married — do not seek a divorce. (1 Corinthians 7:27)
John McCain, shame on you! Well, actually fifty percent of you other formerly married heterosexuals out there too — shame on all of you! Yes, you’re a testament to the sanctity of marriage everywhere. Carry on!
______Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. (Matthew 5:42)
Hmmmm…the US Treasury‘s bailout of Wall Street?
______Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. (Proverbs 31:6-7)
Ok, let me get this right. That’s Budweiser to nursing homes and Chardonnay for the rest of us. Works for me!
______Do not put tattoo marks on yourselves. (Leviticus 19:28)
Ouch! Again, millions are doomed! :
______A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this. (Deuteronomy 22:4-5)
Well, considering how everybody wore dresses back in the day when this was written, I am confused again. Are bathrobes ok?:
______I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes (1 Timothy 2:8-9)
All of the Fundies; the hair saloons, Tivol’s, and Cher won’t like this one.
______Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh (1 Peter 2:18)
This used to be the motto for KKK. But I think most people today believe that it should only apply to the GLBT community in the modern age — seeing how America is more civilized nowadays.
______As the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. (Ephesians 5:24)
This one is not too popular with N.O.W. (National Organization for Women). I wonder why?
Thanks RainFish…………
1EqualityUSA
Andrew W said in post #5, “They are able to put equality before religion and that’s good news for us.” It’s good news for the country. Freedom should not be a political bartering chip. Corrupt politicians have no business holding equality out like a carrot. To find ourselves beholden to any party, in an effort to attain equality, is dangerous. The religious communities should be bothered the most. It sets a dangerous precedence. Our Supreme Court justices need to stop the discrimination in a big hurry. No American persons should be used by the political machine. Oppression bears bitter fruit. Our votes should be made without the specter of oppression. Anything less is not true.
benlayvey
@terrwill: “they do in fact cherry pick verses that fit into their agenda.” I’m not sure she has such a big brain to be that creative.
tjr101
Whats with the STUPID Zigtech ads Queerty?
terrwill
@benlayvey: Correct! thats why these lunatics are so dangerous and scary. Majority are ignorant lemmings who are spoon fed specific dogma which has ben cherry picked by the leaders of the religious right to fit their agenda. They spew their vile bile towards the Gay commmunity to encourage hate. Many of these ignorant fools take it to heart and feel it justifies beating a Gay mercilessly. They want the literal interpation of the bible only when it fits their agenda. If they were actually truly lived a pious live which the bible dictates and followed the passages as they encourage the world to act against the Gays, they would all be in a world of hurt.
And based on the passages like “A woman who is not a virgin on her wedding night shall be put to death”, most of their wives would now be dead……………..