Sometimes in the rush of the news day—fascists in Arizona, bigots in Mississippi, Goldman Sachs in the doghouse—we overlook the good news:
Most young adults today don’t pray, don’t worship and don’t read the Bible, a major survey by a Christian research firm shows. If the trends continue, “the Millennial generation will see churches closing as quickly as GM dealerships,” says Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources…. Among the 65% who call themselves Christian, “many are either mushy Christians or Christians in name only,” Rainer says. “Most are just indifferent.”
Thank you, USA Today, for devoting a little front-page space to a positive story for once.
okay, thats it. Portland Mercury, I’ve officially grown tired of Dan Savage’s shrill politics. Even with leeway thrown in to assume that this piece is at least somewhat tounge-in-cheek, it seems that Dan Savage always is more interested in engaging with cultural wars/identity politics (the online equivalent of Three Stooges slapstick) than in actually having a discussion about serious issues. However you feel about organized religion, saying that decreases in religious affiliation among youth is explicitly a “positive story” just makes us all look like elite, upper-left, latte-drinking, liberal arts school educated assholes. It’s really not cool, and it certainly doesn’t make for productive politics. If Dan Savage is truly interested in his causes (gay rights, pro choice, immigration reform) he would avoid engaging in petty, ticky-tack rhetoric that amounts to little more than a flame war. I don’t come read the Portland Mercury to get my quotidian serving of Daily Kos.
Dan Savage is a desperate troll.
This is the best news I’ve read in a long time. Thanks, Dan!
My faith in humanity is restoring rapidly.
What pseudo religion will replace it tho? Because people aren’t getting any smarter.
I’m a devout atheist who was raised Jewy, but I work for a United Methodist congregation here in Portland, and I’m awed by the level of devotion these folks I work for show to the community around them.
I’ve always thought Dan Savage to be somewhat smarmy, and over-eager to pat himself on the back; this incredibly lame post by him makes me feel embarrassed that I ever even gave him the benefit of the doubt.
That’s a really good question, Spartacus.
Wow, Dan, why don’t you alienate all people of faith, many of whom are leading the charge for same-sex marriage, climate change legislation, poverty eradication and a whole lot more.
How much care would African AIDS victims receive without faith communities and organizations? I’ll give you a hint: it’s real close to zero.
As time goes on, Dan Savage sounds too similar to those he rails against.
I AM SO ANGRY RIGHT NOW ABOUT THIS POST, KEEGAN DANIEL SAVAGE McGILLMICKMUCKPOTATO.
Deism is on the rise. You know…that thing most of the founders were into that the tea baggers refuse to acknowledge? Decades of Catholic scandals, Ted Haggards hypocritically having sexy time with male hookers, and Rick Warrens getting rich off their churches and finally paying off for organized religion.
I don’t understand why everyone is using this article to take jabs/sound off on Mr. Savage. Other than expressing his happiness that Christianity is less popular than ever with the up-and-coming generation, I don’t see anything terribly “alienating” or “holier-than-thou” with this particular article.
Don’t get me wrong: I understand what everyone’s getting at in general. Just don’t quite understand how this article was chosen to be the poster child.
What about the flying spaghetti monster? Does no one think of him during these trying times?
yawn.
People of faith are so touchy. I guess they aren’t very secure in their faith since, you know, it’s faith.
I’m sorry a priest touched your naughty bits when you were a boy, but I guess that makes your bigotry against people of faith OK.
Who else don’t you like? Niggers? Kikes? Japs? Fags?
Awesome news! I was thinkin of starting a freethinker churchy/community gathering place called “the lovely chapel of reason” but alas, I’m too busy living my life…
*Shrug*
@fahque
the LAST thing we need is more religious tolerance. Call em out in the street/workplace/family event for what they are- a damaging mockery
religious instruction is child abuse