According to some GOP political pundits and talk radio hosts, America is being taken over by “militant atheists.”  In reality, atheists make up a small percentage of the American population.  While America is not becoming atheist, per se, its population is leaving organized religion in what some church leaders perceive to be alarming numbers.

Non-Churchgoers Are The Fastest Growing Religious Segment.

The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life released an extensive study on the nation’s religious makeup, beliefs and practices in April 2009.  The survey included the social and political attitudes of the American public.  The survey was based on over 35,000 interviews of American adults.  The Pew survey revealed that an astounding 16.1% of Americans are no longer affiliated with any religion.  In fact, of all “religious groups,” the non-affiliated group is growing faster than any other group.

The Barna Group, in its own survey, confirmed the trends reported by Pew.  The Barna Group is an Evangelical research and polling firm.  It found that 15% of Americans are no longer affiliated with any organized religion.  Of all of the different religious groups in the world, the Barna Group found that the number of people who not belong to any organized religion is the third highest group, following Catholics and Baptists.

The politicized Christian right has done much to drive people away from religion.  People who have left organized religion have reported that religious leaders are hypocrital.  They also complain that religioun focuses too much on divisive issues such as gay rights, and some are concerned about the Christian right’s attempts to force religion onto the public through government and legislation.

Not Going to Church Does Not Necessarily Mean No Spirituality.

Despite the fact that they are leaving the churches, many of the non-churchgoers still consider themselves to be spiritual.  A growing number are turning toward alternative faiths, such as Wicca or deism.

Despite the fact that less people are going to church, some traditional beliefs still abound.  For instance, 70% of Americans believe that there is an entity called Satan.  44% believe in a rapture in which Jesus returns to earth.  Of that 44%, half of them think it will happen during their lifetimes.

In an attempt to pull people back into the fold, some of the more progressive churches are turning their attention to environmental issues.  Others are taking less extreme positions about gays and abortion.

Conclusion.

Ultimately, if churches want to see an increase in their memberships, perhaps they need to step out of the political arena and focus on the message of Christ.  Attempting to force the church into government, marginalizing non-believers and promoting messages of hate only serves to alienate the populace.