Secular Segue? Praying And Spirituality Up But Religion Down

Friday, October 30, 2009 - 23:00 in Psychology & Sociology

How to explain modern belief?    A rising number of people report having no formal religious affiliation but the number of Americans who say they pray has increased, according to a new survey from the University of Chicago. 'Spiritual but not religious' as a growing category seems to mean very little, since it seeks to straddle two different worlds, but the results are telling;  in addition to an increased number of people who pray, a growing number believe in the afterlife. When asked how they view God, the most common responses were the traditional images of father and judge. So it seems to be formal religion that is on the wane, not an increase in secular or atheist sentiment. read more

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