The Rise of the Nones

Not that it comes as a surprise, but in 2012 the Pew Research Center conducted a poll documenting the steady decline in "religious affiliation" by Americans. In only five years (2007-12), Americans "who do not identify with any religion" grew from 15% to nearly 20%. This group has been labeled "The Nones." Atheists are a minority in this group. Most of the Nones believe in God, but not in a specific religion. 74% of the Nones were raised in a religious tradition. In general, they are not seeking a church, they do not adhere to New Age spirituality, and they don't feel the need to belong to a community that shares their values and beliefs. Nones believe organized religions focus too much on money and power, politics and rules. On the other hand, they believe religious organizations strengthen communities and help the poor and needy. 32% of those under age 30 are unaffiliated, thus forming the largest age group within the Nones.

I won't speculate on the whys of this unfortunate trend. The Pew article offers four theories, which I won't mention. I'll just touch on the Nones' beliefs that organized religion focuses too much on money, power, politics and rules.

I agree, churches often do focus too much on money. The solution? Go to a church (like mine) that doesn't focus on money. Okay, I understand it's not that simple. The big question is why has the church messed up in this area? The quick answer is that greed doesn't disappear at conversion. Christians need to guard their hearts against it. Not that I've entirely overcome greed myself. Hey, it's tough!

Politics and power are more complex issues. I think Christians should get involved politically and promote laws upholding significant Judeo/Christian ethics. Of course, the trick is deciding which ethics should be made into law and which should not. For example, it's morally wrong to murder. This ethic is clearly serious enough to warrant laws against murder. Christians also believe it's morally wrong to be prideful. Should we pass laws against pride? I sure hope not. So we have to be choosy about which moral values should or should not be made into law.

Historically the church has really messed up whenever it has gained political power. For example, in the late 4th century, Christianity was made the official state religion of the Roman Empire. This, in my opinion, was a very bad thing. As the years passed by, the powerful, state-sanctioned church began to force its hand in nasty ways. Heretics beware. This power culminated in the 15th century Spanish Inquisition, which primarily sentenced Jews and Muslims to the infamous "burning at the stake." To a lesser extent, protestants ( the reformation was underway) were also victims.

I'm currently listening to a great course on church history (Dr. Gerald Bray, BiblicalTraining.org). Though it's fascinating, it's also discouraging at times, due to the repeated abuses of power by the church. In future posts, I'll elaborate and perhaps offer an apologetic defense of why Christianity is true, despite huge blunders by Christians. In essence, Christianity and earthly power don't mix. When the church gains political

Jesus cleanses the Temple

power, the Holy Spirit leaves.

Back to the Nones. To a certain extent I agree with them that religious organizations can focus too much on rules. Remember the pharisees in the days of Christ? Jesus rebuked them for their legalistic practices that laid burdens on the common people. But ironically, when Jesus explained God's spiritual intent for the law, it became even harder to follow. For example, the pharisees rightly said it's wrong to commit adultery. But Jesus said, by simply looking on a woman to lust, one commits adultery in the heart. How was this resolved? In essence, the law was nailed to the cross at Christ's crucifixion. So, we are no longer bound to the law when we place our faith in Christ's sacrifice for sin. God knows we can't obey the moral law, so that's why He gave his Son as a propitiation. That being said, we need to love and obey God and follow his rules as outlined in the New Testament. The Heavenly Father knows best.