The first slide showed “the nuns” – a group of enthusiastic young habit-clad women traveling by bus on a social mission caring for the poor. The next showed “the nones,” 20- and 30-somethings who increasingly are unaffiliated with any religion. Between those two presentation slides lies a developing story for our age group and those who follow.
Dr. Diana Butler Bass was a Religious Studies professor in the late 1980s at a small Christian college. Since that time, she has developed into a historian focusing on Christian history and a leading voice in progressive Christianity. She travels around the country to speak to church leaders and congregations.
I attended her church workshop, where we discussed the issues in her provocatively named recent book, Christianity after Religion. Butler Bass provided statistical support for what Christians have increasingly been witnessing for themselves.
In 1960, she reported, 98% of Americans called themselves Christians. Half a century later, Pew polls put this figure at 78% (2007) and 73% (2012). The same trends affect every major denomination of Christianity and Judaism, with evangelicals experiencing the most rapid decline.
According to Butler Bass, trends begun in the 1960s accelerated dramatically in the first decade of the 21st century. That decade featured seminal events such as 9/11, the Roman Catholic sex abuse scandal, Protestant conflict over homosexuality, and the religious right’s vociferous demands of political candidates. With polarizing events like these, it’s not surprising that over one of five young adults is “unaffiliated.” The highest percent of “unaffiliateds” is in the Pacific Northwest, while the lowest is the U.S. Southeast.
In many ways the anti-religion trend is not surprising. American Christians are seen on the evening news calling upon Jesus’ name while holding signs shunning immigrant children rather than “feed his sheep.” Iraqis are witnessing forced conversions to Islam, threatening death to infidels who won’t submit. The Israeli government abets land-grabs and institutionalizes unequal citizenship, sanctioning lesser rights to housing, jobs, and education for non-Jews. All the major religions are beset by zealots.
Still, 91% believe in God or a “universal spirit.” Butler Bass quoted Pew polls from 1999-2009 showing the percentages of people who are spiritually – versus religiously – connected have reversed. Those who consider themselves “religious but not spiritual” plummeted from 48% to 12%, while those claiming to be “spiritual and religious” climbed from 9% to 45%.
Perhaps this is “just” semantics, but Butler Bass recognizes a bigger, psychological shift. In her workshops, participants across religious and political spectrums define religion with similar words such as institution, structure, and bureaucracy. They describe spirituality by personal experience.
Christian history is replete with mystics and spiritual thinkers such as 12th century Hildegard of Bingen, 13th century Francis of Assisi, 18th century John Wesley, and 20th century Dietrich Bohnhoffer. But mainline religions have tended to organize and maintain institutions and standards for the faithful.
To a greater extent than religiosity, spirituality relies on authority validated with internal sources. This isn’t the same as “do what feels good.” Rather, spiritual people believe that something is true not because there’s a commandment about it, but because it’s true based on their experience and web of connections, including holy scriptures.
Some important questions emerge from these trends. From the perspective of those who want to explore their spiritual selves, can they find places in America’s churches, temples, and mosques? From the institutions’ perspectives, can they facilitate spiritual growth without being dragged down by buildings and bureaucracy?
Butler Bass assured us there are many organizations leading the way. One non-profit that is exemplary: the Beatitudes Society. The name references Matthew 5:1-12, where Jesus blesses the poor in spirit, the meek, the persecuted, and the peacemakers, and so forth. This national leadership development organization “identifies, resources and connects young entrepreneurial faith leaders who are creating new models for vibrant church life and the pursuit of social justice.” Butler Bass suggested, “Now we just need a Beatitudes Society for adults.”
She used to think the change would develop slowly, over a generation. But now Butler Bass is convinced we’re reaching a tipping point. She recalled the impression of a First Nations attendee at her Canadian workshop: “Western religions are catching up!”
As one who has loved the traditions of the Episcopal Church, I am reluctant to discard or stow them in the attic. But l recognize ossification and the need for change in the institutional church. So like Butler Bass, I think it’s an exciting time to be a religious – and spiritual – person.
Karen Telleen-Lawton serves America’s heritage of seniors by providing fee-only financial services. You can reach her with your questions or comments at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .