Is Religion’s Influence Fading?

How much influence does religion have on American culture?

According a just-released Gallup poll, less and less – and by a wide margin.

Seventy percent of survey respondents said that religion is losing its influence, with just 25 percent saying it is gaining influence.

In the 43 years of the tracking poll, it’s widest game since 1970 at the height of Vietnam War-era protests and social unrest. The gap has gradually widened since 2002 when both opinions were equally shared in the wake of the 9-11 attacks.

The more important question is what does the data really mean?

Do you see plenty of anecdotal evidence from attendance in your own church to the commercialism of the just-passed Christmas season? Is there a growing disconnect between what people believe and what they say they believe or act when it come to matters of faith?

My answer to both these question is yes, but how do you feel?

I look forward to your comments.

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  1. said:

    I believe yes also Peter. The growing dis-connect is attributable somewhat to a moral relativism. What I believe is just as right to me as what you believe. Objective truth (i.e. in the Bible) has become subjective truth. “Your truth may be right for you, but I have a different belief.” Sadly, beliefs have no impact on changing truth. You can say you don’t believe in traffic, but try playing basketball on the interstate. I was once told that there is no absolute truth…which is where I countered, then how can I believe what you just told me?! Many tell me that they don’t attend church because it is full of hypocrites. But I can always tell them, there is always room for one more…and if you find a perfect church, don’t join it! God help us and this nation to find its moral compass that points toward Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. There is no other way (Acts 4:12).

    December 30, 2010
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