A recent study published by the Pew Research Center reveals that many young Christians are leaving the church because they no longer believe what is being taught in the church is actually true. When asked why, they give a number of reasons, but all seem to point to a lack of any rationally justified defense of what religion is teaching. Specifically, they state that there is no scientific or other specific evidence of a creator, and the more they study and are taught in college, the less they believe what is being taught in the church. They describe traditional religious beliefs as unreasonable, unproven and requiring blind faith. Their intellectual skepticism is what is drawing them into agnosticism and atheism. Earlier studies revealed large majorities of youth who were raised in the church turning away from their faith during their college years. Indeed, atheism is growing the fastest in the demographic of 18 to 29 years old. These young people have received little or no training in how to defend the beliefs they were taught as children. They have been taught the same doctrine and dogma that has been taught for centuries. If this troubling trend is to be reversed, or even slowed, dramatic changes in what organized religion is offering these kids during their formative years must take place. Whether or not any church is willing to present an updated interpretation of Scripture based upon a factual context remains to be seen. If little or nothing happens, the numbers of people of faith in America will gradually dwindle until America resembles Europe; lots of beautiful places of worship - empty. Simply tourist attractions.
A recent study published by the Pew Research Center reveals that many young Christians are leaving the church because they no longer believe what is being taught in the church is actually true. When asked why, they give a number of reasons, but all seem to point to a lack of any rationally justified defense of what religion is teaching. Specifically, they state that there is no scientific or other specific evidence of a creator, and the more they study and are taught in college, the less they believe what is being taught in the church. They describe traditional religious beliefs as unreasonable, unproven and requiring blind faith. Their intellectual skepticism is what is drawing them into agnosticism and atheism. Earlier studies revealed large majorities of youth who were raised in the church turning away from their faith during their college years. Indeed, atheism is growing the fastest in the demographic of 18 to 29 years old. These young people have received little or no training in how to defend the beliefs they were taught as children. They have been taught the same doctrine and dogma that has been taught for centuries. If this troubling trend is to be reversed, or even slowed, dramatic changes in what organized religion is offering these kids during their formative years must take place. Whether or not any church is willing to present an updated interpretation of Scripture based upon a factual context remains to be seen. If little or nothing happens, the numbers of people of faith in America will gradually dwindle until America resembles Europe; lots of beautiful places of worship - empty. Simply tourist attractions.