The rise of the 'nones': Why our generation is moving away from religion

[SecularMotion]

Religion can be a sensitive topic. I, for one, definitely avoid the subject of church when I return to my hometown for breaks. I was raised in a Christian home, like many others, but today would not identify myself as a Christian. If I had to strictly define my beliefs, I would be a pantheist — in the sense that I believe in an all-encompassing god, thus making the universe and divine synonymous.

I believe this because several years ago Christianity stopped answering all of my questions. I questioned why Christianity was “right” and all other religions “wrong”. Truthfully, I realized that I was only a Christian because of circumstance and the family into which I was born. For example, if I would have been born in India, I would probably be a Hindu.

I did not leave the Christian faith embittered or angry, as you might imagine. Naturally, I was somewhat disillusioned with the fact that people’s actions did not match their words It was hard for me to watch the church I attended preach about loving and welcoming the stranger, but in all reality act as a very exclusive organization. Of course, this dissonance can be found in many cases other than faith. Organized religion seemed a pointless exercise; if the goal of all major religions was to love and be a better person to make the world a better place, I didn’t need to attend church to do that.

http://www.iowastatedaily.com/opinion/article_f65e1a12-7075-11e2-9a1c-001a4bcf887a.html

[cbayer]

1. Good article. It's not just his generation, though they comprise a sizable number of

the "nones".

I think there are as many reasons for being a none as there are nones. That's kind of the whole point. Nones don't like labels much.

[cleanhippie]

2. It is interesting to see just how many believers are unable or unwilling to accept that fact.

Truthfully, I realized that I was only a Christian because of circumstance and the family into which I was born. For example, if I would have been born in India, I would probably be a Hindu.

Most often, a persons religion is that which s/he was indoctrinated into. The author of the story was able, thankfully, to overcome that indoctrination and the cognitive dissonance that stems from it and recognize that basic fact. For the rest of his life, reason will prevail over his life, and he will likely be a better, more empathic person for it.

[dimbear]

3. Suppose we accidentally lost all chemistry books and had to start over. It would come

out almost the same again. Maybe the Periodic Table would look a little different. Now try a religion.