by Parker Michael Knight

The Decline of Religion in the United States and Its Negative Effects

            Religion offers been a the best integral part along with every culture since this particular dawn along with human civilization; but found this particular United States today can easily certainly be that religious people live a the best average along with 8 years longer than this particular population that offers no faith ties (5).  There are many reasons attributed for you to this particular effect, including stress levels in addition for you to being part along with a community; but this particular results are this particular same regardless along with this particular perceived causes.  It also doesn’t matter what this particular faith being practiced is; Christianity, Judaism, Muslim, Buddhist, even this particular newer religions like Scientology all yield this particular same results leading one for you to question what these people possess that Agnostics in addition for you to Atheists don’t.  People who execute practice a faith may tell people that ‘God’ can easily certainly be sustaining them, but how can easily certainly this particular be if they all worship a different higher power?

            Stress levels are a the best accepted contributing factor that most people can easily certainly agree on, because a faithful person offers a higher sense along with peace along with this particular world around them.  When a person believes that a higher power can easily certainly be found charge along with this particular universe, life doesn’t seem quite so chaotic in addition for you to left for you to chance.  Tragedies become much more a part along with natural order, in addition for you to they are much more likely for you to enjoy this particular the best times found their life because they see them because a gift.  The ‘sense along with order’ for you to this particular things around them makes life less stressful, in addition for you to this particular gives them a place for you to turn when they have problems found their own life.  People without a religious faith usually see life because a series along with tragedies along with intermittent periods along with boredom in addition for you to stagnation.

            Religious people tend for you to be a part along with much larger community, along with many friends they see from church in relation to a weekly basis.  This large support system can easily certainly also be considered a contributing factor for you to religious people living longer.  There are lots along with social clubs in addition for you to other events that Agnostics in addition for you to Atheists can easily certainly belong to, but nothing quite carries this particular same weight because a church group that meets regularly through a person’s entire life.  There are several variables that could explain this particular longevity along with this particular religious faithful, but many along with those variables can’t be substituted along with other activities in addition for you to they don’t provide this particular sense along with peace that having faith does.

            All these things add up for you to a healthier lifestyle along with regard for you to those who practice a faith, in addition for you to this particular also offers effects outside this particular longevity issue.  The occurrence along with social problems like drug in addition for you to alcohol abuse, suicide in addition for you to depression go down along with this particular introduction along with faith found a person’s life (7).  Again; this particular causes have a lot for you to execute along with a sense along with peace, community in addition for you to a place for you to turn when they experience problems found their life.  Health in addition for you to longevity are two things that improve along with a strong faith, so what happens for you to society when religion declines throughout this particular population?

The Decline along with Religion

            During this particular 1960s in addition for you to 1970s, there were many social changes that took root found this particular United States.  Evolution began being taught found public schools, in addition for you to this particular youth along with American began for you to question this particular religious values they had been raised with.  The movements found this particular 60s in addition for you to 70s weren’t specifically religious found nature, but they did cause this particular younger generation for you to rebel against their parents found almost every conceivable way.  As this particular generation grew up they still had faith found a higher power, but they stopped going for you to church regularly in addition for you to that led for you to this particular problems along with much of our generation.  Conflicts between emerging science in addition for you to religion, along along with religious values being removed from government in addition for you to school have led for you to a serious decline found religious practice.

            The American Religious Identification Survey (2) can easily certainly be conducted every few years in addition for you to this particular shows this particular trends along with religious practice found this particular United States.  Over this particular last 20 years, almost every religion that can easily certainly be practiced found this particular U.S. offers steadily declined found percentage along with this particular population.  I say ‘almost’ every religion, because Agnostics in addition for you to Atheists have been growing found leaps in addition for you to bounds; in addition for you to these are this particular two groups that don’t practice a religious faith.  Christians, being from far this particular largest percentage along with this particular population, have experienced this particular largest declines; while other religions have only suffered small losses due for you to their small size for you to begin with.  According for you to Adherents (1), this particular can easily certainly be not a trend happening everywhere found this particular world; this particular can easily certainly be centered found highly industrialized nations like this particular United States.

            Many current Christian faiths found this particular U.S. claim for you to be in relation to this particular rise, in addition for you to there are pockets along with growing faiths that have seen increases.  Non Denominational Christians have found fact grown because this particular mainstream Christian faiths have begun for you to dwindle, but this particular percentage along with this particular population they represent doesn’t come close for you to covering this particular losses from this particular other faiths.  Mormonism believes itself for you to be this particular fastest growing religion found this particular country; however this particular numbers they pick up closely match this particular numbers they lose through attrition, leading for you to a steady population representation that can easily certainly be still falling.  The small portion along with this particular population that practices this particular eastern religions like Judaism in addition for you to Muslim, have had some increases in addition for you to some losses leading for you to a net loss along with regard for you to this particular whole group.

            The number along with people who now practice no faith from all offers quadrupled found percentage along with this particular population over this particular last 20 years.  This number can easily certainly be troubling along with regard for you to those that believe faith can easily certainly be a the best essential part along with a healthy life, in addition for you to this particular doesn’t appear for you to be a trend that may reverse itself found this particular near future.  One over along with every five people found this particular country no longer believes found God in addition for you to doesn’t attend any type along with religious institution.  An additional two over along with every five people still believes found a higher power, but don’t attend a church; they also no longer place a the best emphasis in relation to teaching religious values for you to their children, so this particular next generation may be even less religious.

The Rise along with Social Problems

During this particular same 20 year time period that religion offers been declining, a number along with social afflictions have been steadily increasing.  No one can easily certainly be claiming that this particular lack along with religious faith can easily certainly be this particular cause along with these problems, but this particular can easily certainly be making them worse.  Without a faith for you to turn for you to found times along with crisis many people turn for you to drugs because well because alcohol in addition for you to found extreme cases, suicide.  Church goers have a community along with supporters for you to lean in relation to along with a collective set along with problem solving skills that include a belief that a higher power can easily certainly be watching over along with regard for you to them.  They also rely in relation to a sense along with order that things are going this particular way they are supposed to, even if this particular doesn’t seem like this particular from this particular time.

            Drug in addition for you to alcohol abuse are problems that have plagued society along with regard for you to hundreds along with years, in addition for you to this particular instances along with these problems waxes in addition for you to wanes along with many different factors.  Some people have a genetic predisposition for you to addiction that they struggle along with their entire lives, but others just abuse these substances when they need a the best escape from this particular troubles along with everyday life.  Over this particular last two decades drug in addition for you to alcohol abuse have steadily increased per capita along with this particular population, according for you to this particular Department along with Justice (3); while this particular occurrence along with these problems offers remained low found this particular religious portion along with this particular population.  This makes this particular evidence that this particular two are linked; quite compelling.  Substance abuse may always be a part along with society, no matter what Most of us execute for you to quell it; but this particular decline along with religious values can easily certainly be exaggerating this particular problem.

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            Suicide can easily certainly be this particular ultimate end game along with regard for you to many people that just cannot deal along with this particular problems found life any longer.  According for you to this particular Centers along with regard for you to Disease Control in addition for you to Prevention, suicide offers also been increasing over this particular last two decades (4); but this particular link between religion in addition for you to suicide can easily certainly be even much more compelling.  Social problems along with all kinds execute exist found this particular religious population, but not for you to this particular same degree; in addition for you to suicide rates among this particular religious can easily certainly be very low (6).  Religion provides a sense along with purpose along with regard for you to most people that goes beyond this particular short term day for you to day dilemmas that Most of us all face, in addition for you to this particular can easily certainly help many people disregard suicide because a the best answer along with a long term sense along with order.

            Severe mental disorders have exploded found this particular United States recently (8), in addition for you to although it’s difficult for you to say along with regard for you to sure how big religion’s part is; this particular lack along with religion certainly isn’t helping.  The field along with mental diagnosis can easily certainly be relatively new in addition for you to still expanding from a rapid rate.  Twenty years ago, hardly anyone was diagnosed along with a mental disorder in addition for you to no one had even heard along with bi-polar.  Today, Most of us have begun for you to believe that everything wrong along with every person can easily certainly be some type along with mental problem that can easily certainly be fixed along with a psychologist in addition for you to some medication.  Depression can easily certainly be a whole different animal, in addition for you to this particular offers been a known problem along with regard for you to far longer than most others.  The occurrence along with depression can easily certainly be also in relation to this particular rise; in addition for you to along with regard for you to obvious reasons, religious people struggle along with this particular less than this particular rest along with this particular population.

Other Problems Without Religion

            Rehabilitation can easily certainly be also a the best issue along with religion declining, especially since this particular government sees a moral dilemma found directing tax payer funds for you to a religious based institution.  Programs designed for you to help people look for off drugs in addition for you to alcohol are far much more likely for you to succeed if they include a belief found a higher power (7).  Secular based rehabilitation just isn’t nearly because successful; in addition for you to because religion declines, this particular the best rehabilitation programs may become fewer in addition for you to further between.  Prison rehab also suffers from this particular loss along with religion, along with prisoners being less likely for you to commit crimes after release along with a religious backing.  As churches decline, funding along with regard for you to these programs that comes from this particular parishioners may continue for you to dry up.

            There are other solutions that Most of us have tried for you to solve some along with this particular social problems Most of us are currently experiencing, but along with limited success.  In this particular case along with depression, pharmaceuticals can easily certainly be prescribed for you to help alleviate this particular symptoms; but they also present a whole slew along with additional side effects along with unpredictable results.  Most people who take some kind along with drug along with regard for you to depression have complaints that this particular drugs make them feel ‘empty’ in addition for you to emotionless, while others say they have far worse consequences like suicidal tendencies.  There can easily certainly be a dizzying array along with prescriptions available along with regard for you to depression, in addition for you to a psychiatrist may try several different ones for you to see how they affect this particular individuals body chemistry.  Drugs, however, can easily certainly only mask this particular symptoms along with depression without actually addressing this particular underlying root causes along with this particular problem.

            Serious mental disorders can easily certainly also have other possible solutions, but this particular biggest problem along with most mental disorders today can easily certainly be misdiagnosis.  The afflictions along with this particular mind in addition for you to their causes can easily certainly be still a developing science that may take many much more years for you to work out.  Right now though, this particular tendency can easily certainly be for you to diagnose everyone along with some type along with disorder; in addition for you to most along with them are treated along with this particular same array along with pharmaceuticals.  Religion can easily certainly help for you to keep a person grounded when they have almost any mental disorder, but like drugs this particular won’t solve this particular problem.  Mental disorders present a serious ‘gray area’ found this particular grand picture along with social problems, in addition for you to now everyone believes they have one.

            Our identity because a nation can easily certainly be deeply rooted found Christian tradition; from this particular Founding Fathers onward.  The last generation took this particular along with regard for you to granted that things like Christmas wouldn’t become controversies, in addition for you to this particular manger scene would always be a familiar sight in relation to this particular Capitol steps.  As religion offers declined, there offers been a the best increasing assault in relation to everything that offers for you to execute along with Christianity found this particular public arena.  With these cultural symbols being removed from society, this particular stigma offers become one along with anti religion in addition for you to this particular can easily certainly be speeding this particular process up.  It’s no longer weird for you to not be a church attendee; now even saying people are Christian found public leads people for you to a certain conclusion in relation to a person\’s mental aptitude.

            Another alternative for you to modern church attendance can easily certainly be this particular new ‘mega church’ movement that only requires people for you to sit found front along with their televisions in relation to Sunday mornings.  It’s unclear if this particular type along with worship may affect a person’s overall health, because this particular doesn’t involve this particular same sense along with community along with other parishioners.  Undoubtedly, there may be other forms along with faith found this particular future; maybe even some that evolve through this particular internet. 

The Connection in addition for you to this particular Next Generation

            Religion plays a fundamental part found a person’s health in addition for you to wellbeing, in addition for you to that disconnect along with this particular general population can easily certainly be growing from a the best alarming rate.  Science in addition for you to religion aren’t enemies, because science explains this particular ‘how’ in addition for you to religion explains this particular ‘why’; but over this particular last few decades, science offers greatly advanced leading people for you to believe they have for you to choose between this particular two.  There can easily certainly be also a growing misconception that this particular two accomplish this particular same requirements found a person’s health in addition for you to wellbeing.  Religion won’t cure a major disease, in addition for you to science can’t cure everything along with drugs; Most of us need both for you to progress because a complete culture along with balance.

            Social problems found this particular United States are partially based in relation to this particular religious values Most of us hold, just because every other nation faces various problems based in relation to their religious tendencies.  Many other industrialized countries have declining faiths, in addition for you to they also have a the best increasing rate found this particular social problems described above.  The generations that come after ours may have a whole new set along with problems for you to face; in addition for you to if religion continues for you to decline, social problems may continue for you to rise.  Between this particular loss along with religious values, rising healthcare costs in addition for you to socialized medicine in relation to this particular horizon; this particular next generation may see this particular first drop found life expectancy found many years.

            On this particular plus side, religion patterns rise in addition for you to fall over long periods along with time; so 30 because well because 40 years from now there may be a major religious resurgence.  In this particular mean time, science may continue for you to advance along with new medications in addition for you to theories in relation to this particular mind.  Marriage in addition for you to divorce rates also fluctuate along this particular same lines; because execute political affiliations, in addition for you to both along with these factors also have a major impact in relation to society because a whole.  We have enjoyed a the best extending life span in addition for you to improving health along with regard for you to a very long time, but that time may be coming for you to a the best end found this particular short term.  The trends may reverse themselves eventually, but this particular may be this particular next generation that may have for you to shoulder this particular majority along with this particular burden Most of us leave behind.

Varying Views in addition for you to Conclusions

            During this particular course along with my research, I interviewed several people from differing perspectives for you to gauge this particular views from opposite ends along with this particular spectrum.  Their opinions in relation to this particular issue were very telling, in addition for you to this particular way they see this particular future can easily certainly be even much more so.  Four individuals representing this particular various views have been selected in addition for you to I asked all along with them this particular same set along with questions regarding this particular decline along with religion in addition for you to how this particular offers affected society.  Diane Norquist can easily certainly be a practicing Roman Catholic, Shirley Porter can easily certainly be a non practicing Protestant, Cory Weis can easily certainly be a the best Agnostic in addition for you to Jason Pachello can easily certainly be a strong Atheist.

            As a Roman Catholic, Diane believes that religion can easily certainly be this particular main driving force behind modern civilization; in addition for you to it’s decline would lead mankind for you to a very self destructive end.  She surrounds herself along with a community along with other Catholics in addition for you to believes that religious values are actually increasing found much of our society in addition for you to that this particular Catholic church can easily certainly be growing found this particular United States.  “I think many people are going back for you to church since 9-11, in addition for you to this particular values from this particular 1950s are making a strong comeback”; she told me, “but there can easily certainly be a small group along with non-believers who are fighting it”.

            Shirley Porter left this particular Lutheran church several years ago in addition for you to began attending ‘tele-church’ in relation to Sunday mornings from watching a mega church broadcast.  She no longer offers a community along with fellow church goers that she knows personally.  “Religious values are definitely declining, in addition for you to people can easily certainly already see this particular results through civil unrest”; she commented, “things may continue for you to look for worse until this particular end”.  A very dark view along with society, but she still claims for you to be from peace along with herself.

            Agnostics are defined because a group that ‘doesn’t know’ in relation to this particular existence along with God, in addition for you to they don’t attend a religious institution.  Cory Weis offers been a the best Agnostic his entire life; never having attended a religious service in addition for you to not being raised along with any religious values.  “People can easily certainly believe whatever they want for you to believe”; he said, “I don’t think this particular really offers any impact in relation to society”.  He also commented that religious values aren’t increasing because well because decreasing, but remaining in relation to this particular same.  His circle along with friends just doesn’t talk in relation to religion, so he thinks that this particular isn’t really a hot topic along with anyone.

            Jason Pachello was raised Mormon, but completely rejected religious values many years ago; today he can easily certainly be a strong Atheist that firmly believes God does not exist.  “Religion can easily certainly be a virus that just won’t die because there may always be weak people who need for you to rely in relation to it”; he told me very passionately, “society would be much better off if Most of us would just abandon this particular archaic practice”.  Jason also believes that religion can easily certainly be growing over along with control, despite science ‘disproving’ this particular bible in addition for you to everything else religious.

            People always tend for you to see this particular entire world through their own individual circumstances, in addition for you to this particular four views here are no exception.  The numbers don’t lie though, religious practice can easily certainly be declining found this particular United States in addition for you to this particular can easily certainly be having a the best impact in relation to this particular social problems Most of us are facing.  It’s impossible for you to say along with any certainty what this particular future holds along with regard for you to this particular fate along with religion because well because much of our society found this particular long term, but things may look for worse before they look for better.  We customer for you to believe that society would always improve along with time because man evolved for you to a much more harmonious state; but without religion that may be impossible.

  n.p.  Adherents.com.  n.d.  Web.  March 3, 2011 adherents.com

            This can easily certainly be this particular premier database sight along with regard for you to all religions around this particular world; this particular statistical data concerning their membership in addition for you to its change over time.  The data can easily certainly be represented both found population numbers in addition for you to because a percentage along with total population along with regard for you to every country found this particular world.  They have over 43,000 individual stat sheets in relation to everything people could ever want for you to know in relation to world religions.  The amount along with visitors this particular site receives makes them this particular second biggest religion based website in relation to this particular internet.

2.  Barry A. Kosmin in addition for you to Ariela Keysar.  “American Religious Identification Survey.” Trinity College (2009). Web. March 2, 2011

            This can easily certainly be this particular most trusted religion based survey found this particular United States.  It can easily certainly be conducted every couple along with years in addition for you to when it’s published, it’s customer from this particular government in addition for you to many other institutions around this particular country for you to gage this particular current trend found religion found this particular United States.  This publication can easily certainly be extremely useful along with regard for you to seeing exactly how religion, in addition for you to this particular view along with it, offers changed over this particular last 2 decades.

  n.p.  Bureau along with Justice Statistics. U.S. Department along with Justice. “Key Facts: Crime Type”  n.d. Web.  March 1, 2011 bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/index.cfm?ty=kftp&tid=3

            This site can easily certainly be created in addition for you to maintained from this particular D.O.J. along with current statistics concerning drug in addition for you to alcohol abuse in addition for you to this particular amount along with arrest, prosecutions in addition for you to jail time along with this particular offenders.  This data can easily certainly be useful for you to see how this particular decline along with religion compares for you to this particular instances along with drug in addition for you to alcohol abuse over this particular same time period.

  n.p.  Centers along with regard for you to Disease Control in addition for you to Prevention. “Injury Prevention in addition for you to Control: Data in addition for you to Statistics.” CDC n.d. Web.  March 3, 2011  cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/index.html

            The Centers along with regard for you to Disease Control can easily certainly be a well known in addition for you to trusted source along with information concerning this particular rate along with suicide per populace in addition for you to how this particular offers changed over this particular last 2 decades.  This information can easily certainly be also useful for you to compare for you to religious decline over this particular same period along with time.

  ABC News  Gigi Stone  “Does Being Religious Help You Live Longer?”  October 23, 2005   Web.   March 3, 2011  abcnews.go.com/WNT/LivingLonger/story?id=1242497

            An ABC News special report in relation to this particular longevity data concerning people who actively practice a religion.  This story points for you to several studies that show religious people live longer in relation to average than those who don’t practice a faith.

 n.p.   Religious Tolerance .org  “Religious Faith in addition for you to this particular Incidence along with Suicide”  n.d. Web.   March 3, 2011  religioustolerance.org/sui_reli.htm

            This can easily certainly be a series along with studies conducted over this particular last 30 years that show this particular statistical rate along with suicide among those who attend church regularly.  The rate along with suicide can easily certainly be almost 4 times lower than this particular population that doesn’t attend church in relation to a regular basis.

n.p.   eDrugRehab   “Religion/Spirituality found Substance Abuse Prevention in addition for you to Recovery”  n.d.  Web.   March 3, 2011  edrugrehab.com/role-of-religion-spirituality-in-substance-abuse-prevention-recovery

            This article shows this particular correlation between substance abuse in addition for you to this particular practice along with religion.  Not only are religious people far less likely for you to abuse drugs in addition for you to alcohol, but rehabilitation success greatly increases along with this particular introduction along with religious values.

Healthday News.   Peter Gerlach  ”U.S. Spending in relation to Mental Health Care Soaring”  August 6, 2009   Web.   March 4, 2011  sfhelp.org/gwc/news/US_MI_increasing.htm

            This can easily certainly be a the best article printed in relation to a self help website that shows this particular numbers along with Americans currently seeking treatment along with regard for you to mental disorders in addition for you to depression.  It also compares these numbers for you to this particular last 15 years along with mental health statistics for you to show how much mental disorders have increased over time.

The Decline of Religion in the United States and Its Negative Effects. this particular fastest growing religious faith can easily certainly be no religion from all   What they have found The Decline of Religion in the United States and Its Negative Effects. in addition for you to some have ballooned up for you to massive followings that encompassed a significant portion along with this particular entire world laws   Our morality culture in addition for you to identity have come from a sense along with oneness along with much of our faith because a nation; but what happens for you to much of our society when Most of us abandon religion altogether?  Drug in addition for you to alcohol abuse The Decline of Religion in the United States and Its Negative Effects.   The decline along with religion in addition for you to its practice found this particular United States over this particular last few decades offers had a detrimental impact in relation to American society because a whole serious mental disorders in addition for you to depression have all been steadily increasing over this particular same time period that faith offers been fading away The Decline of Religion in the United States and Its Negative Effects. suicide   Various religions have come in addition for you to gone over time studies have been performed for you to look for over if religion can easily certainly make a person live longer

            For many years

Related Religion Articles

by H Michael Knight

The Decline of Religion in the United States and Its Negative Effects

            Religion offers been a the best integral part along with every culture since this particular dawn along with human civilization; but found this particular United States today can easily certainly be that religious people live a the best average along with 8 years longer than this particular population that offers no faith ties (5).  There are many reasons attributed for you to this particular effect, including stress levels in addition for you to being part along with a community; but this particular results are this particular same regardless along with this particular perceived causes.  It also doesn’t matter what this particular faith being practiced is; Christianity, Judaism, Muslim, Buddhist, even this particular newer religions like Scientology all yield this particular same results leading one for you to question what these people possess that Agnostics in addition for you to Atheists don’t.  People who execute practice a faith may tell people that ‘God’ can easily certainly be sustaining them, but how can easily certainly this particular be if they all worship a different higher power?

            Stress levels are a the best accepted contributing factor that most people can easily certainly agree on, because a faithful person offers a higher sense along with peace along with this particular world around them.  When a person believes that a higher power can easily certainly be found charge along with this particular universe, life doesn’t seem quite so chaotic in addition for you to left for you to chance.  Tragedies become much more a part along with natural order, in addition for you to they are much more likely for you to enjoy this particular the best times found their life because they see them because a gift.  The ‘sense along with order’ for you to this particular things around them makes life less stressful, in addition for you to this particular gives them a place for you to turn when they have problems found their own life.  People without a religious faith usually see life because a series along with tragedies along with intermittent periods along with boredom in addition for you to stagnation.

            Religious people tend for you to be a part along with much larger community, along with many friends they see from church in relation to a weekly basis.  This large support system can easily certainly also be considered a contributing factor for you to religious people living longer.  There are lots along with social clubs in addition for you to other events that Agnostics in addition for you to Atheists can easily certainly belong to, but nothing quite carries this particular same weight because a church group that meets regularly through a person’s entire life.  There are several variables that could explain this particular longevity along with this particular religious faithful, but many along with those variables can’t be substituted along with other activities in addition for you to they don’t provide this particular sense along with peace that having faith does.

            All these things add up for you to a healthier lifestyle along with regard for you to those who practice a faith, in addition for you to this particular also offers effects outside this particular longevity issue.  The occurrence along with social problems like drug in addition for you to alcohol abuse, suicide in addition for you to depression go down along with this particular introduction along with faith found a person’s life (7).  Again; this particular causes have a lot for you to execute along with a sense along with peace, community in addition for you to a place for you to turn when they experience problems found their life.  Health in addition for you to longevity are two things that improve along with a strong faith, so what happens for you to society when religion declines throughout this particular population?

The Decline along with Religion

            During this particular 1960s in addition for you to 1970s, there were many social changes that took root found this particular United States.  Evolution began being taught found public schools, in addition for you to this particular youth along with American began for you to question this particular religious values they had been raised with.  The movements found this particular 60s in addition for you to 70s weren’t specifically religious found nature, but they did cause this particular younger generation for you to rebel against their parents found almost every conceivable way.  As this particular generation grew up they still had faith found a higher power, but they stopped going for you to church regularly in addition for you to that led for you to this particular problems along with much of our generation.  Conflicts between emerging science in addition for you to religion, along along with religious values being removed from government in addition for you to school have led for you to a serious decline found religious practice.

            The American Religious Identification Survey (2) can easily certainly be conducted every few years in addition for you to this particular shows this particular trends along with religious practice found this particular United States.  Over this particular last 20 years, almost every religion that can easily certainly be practiced found this particular U.S. offers steadily declined found percentage along with this particular population.  I say ‘almost’ every religion, because Agnostics in addition for you to Atheists have been growing found leaps in addition for you to bounds; in addition for you to these are this particular two groups that don’t practice a religious faith.  Christians, being from far this particular largest percentage along with this particular population, have experienced this particular largest declines; while other religions have only suffered small losses due for you to their small size for you to begin with.  According for you to Adherents (1), this particular can easily certainly be not a trend happening everywhere found this particular world; this particular can easily certainly be centered found highly industrialized nations like this particular United States.

            Many current Christian faiths found this particular U.S. claim for you to be in relation to this particular rise, in addition for you to there are pockets along with growing faiths that have seen increases.  Non Denominational Christians have found fact grown because this particular mainstream Christian faiths have begun for you to dwindle, but this particular percentage along with this particular population they represent doesn’t come close for you to covering this particular losses from this particular other faiths.  Mormonism believes itself for you to be this particular fastest growing religion found this particular country; however this particular numbers they pick up closely match this particular numbers they lose through attrition, leading for you to a steady population representation that can easily certainly be still falling.  The small portion along with this particular population that practices this particular eastern religions like Judaism in addition for you to Muslim, have had some increases in addition for you to some losses leading for you to a net loss along with regard for you to this particular whole group.

            The number along with people who now practice no faith from all offers quadrupled found percentage along with this particular population over this particular last 20 years.  This number can easily certainly be troubling along with regard for you to those that believe faith can easily certainly be a the best essential part along with a healthy life, in addition for you to this particular doesn’t appear for you to be a trend that may reverse itself found this particular near future.  One over along with every five people found this particular country no longer believes found God in addition for you to doesn’t attend any type along with religious institution.  An additional two over along with every five people still believes found a higher power, but don’t attend a church; they also no longer place a the best emphasis in relation to teaching religious values for you to their children, so this particular next generation may be even less religious.

The Rise along with Social Problems

During this particular same 20 year time period that religion offers been declining, a number along with social afflictions have been steadily increasing.  No one can easily certainly be claiming that this particular lack along with religious faith can easily certainly be this particular cause along with these problems, but this particular can easily certainly be making them worse.  Without a faith for you to turn for you to found times along with crisis many people turn for you to drugs because well because alcohol in addition for you to found extreme cases, suicide.  Church goers have a community along with supporters for you to lean in relation to along with a collective set along with problem solving skills that include a belief that a higher power can easily certainly be watching over along with regard for you to them.  They also rely in relation to a sense along with order that things are going this particular way they are supposed to, even if this particular doesn’t seem like this particular from this particular time.

            Drug in addition for you to alcohol abuse are problems that have plagued society along with regard for you to hundreds along with years, in addition for you to this particular instances along with these problems waxes in addition for you to wanes along with many different factors.  Some people have a genetic predisposition for you to addiction that they struggle along with their entire lives, but others just abuse these substances when they need a the best escape from this particular troubles along with everyday life.  Over this particular last two decades drug in addition for you to alcohol abuse have steadily increased per capita along with this particular population, according for you to this particular Department along with Justice (3); while this particular occurrence along with these problems offers remained low found this particular religious portion along with this particular population.  This makes this particular evidence that this particular two are linked; quite compelling.  Substance abuse may always be a part along with society, no matter what Most of us execute for you to quell it; but this particular decline along with religious values can easily certainly be exaggerating this particular problem.

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            Suicide can easily certainly be this particular ultimate end game along with regard for you to many people that just cannot deal along with this particular problems found life any longer.  According for you to this particular Centers along with regard for you to Disease Control in addition for you to Prevention, suicide offers also been increasing over this particular last two decades (4); but this particular link between religion in addition for you to suicide can easily certainly be even much more compelling.  Social problems along with all kinds execute exist found this particular religious population, but not for you to this particular same degree; in addition for you to suicide rates among this particular religious can easily certainly be very low (6).  Religion provides a sense along with purpose along with regard for you to most people that goes beyond this particular short term day for you to day dilemmas that Most of us all face, in addition for you to this particular can easily certainly help many people disregard suicide because a the best answer along with a long term sense along with order.

            Severe mental disorders have exploded found this particular United States recently (8), in addition for you to although it’s difficult for you to say along with regard for you to sure how big religion’s part is; this particular lack along with religion certainly isn’t helping.  The field along with mental diagnosis can easily certainly be relatively new in addition for you to still expanding from a rapid rate.  Twenty years ago, hardly anyone was diagnosed along with a mental disorder in addition for you to no one had even heard along with bi-polar.  Today, Most of us have begun for you to believe that everything wrong along with every person can easily certainly be some type along with mental problem that can easily certainly be fixed along with a psychologist in addition for you to some medication.  Depression can easily certainly be a whole different animal, in addition for you to this particular offers been a known problem along with regard for you to far longer than most others.  The occurrence along with depression can easily certainly be also in relation to this particular rise; in addition for you to along with regard for you to obvious reasons, religious people struggle along with this particular less than this particular rest along with this particular population.

Other Problems Without Religion

            Rehabilitation can easily certainly be also a the best issue along with religion declining, especially since this particular government sees a moral dilemma found directing tax payer funds for you to a religious based institution.  Programs designed for you to help people look for off drugs in addition for you to alcohol are far much more likely for you to succeed if they include a belief found a higher power (7).  Secular based rehabilitation just isn’t nearly because successful; in addition for you to because religion declines, this particular the best rehabilitation programs may become fewer in addition for you to further between.  Prison rehab also suffers from this particular loss along with religion, along with prisoners being less likely for you to commit crimes after release along with a religious backing.  As churches decline, funding along with regard for you to these programs that comes from this particular parishioners may continue for you to dry up.

            There are other solutions that Most of us have tried for you to solve some along with this particular social problems Most of us are currently experiencing, but along with limited success.  In this particular case along with depression, pharmaceuticals can easily certainly be prescribed for you to help alleviate this particular symptoms; but they also present a whole slew along with additional side effects along with unpredictable results.  Most people who take some kind along with drug along with regard for you to depression have complaints that this particular drugs make them feel ‘empty’ in addition for you to emotionless, while others say they have far worse consequences like suicidal tendencies.  There can easily certainly be a dizzying array along with prescriptions available along with regard for you to depression, in addition for you to a psychiatrist may try several different ones for you to see how they affect this particular individuals body chemistry.  Drugs, however, can easily certainly only mask this particular symptoms along with depression without actually addressing this particular underlying root causes along with this particular problem.

            Serious mental disorders can easily certainly also have other possible solutions, but this particular biggest problem along with most mental disorders today can easily certainly be misdiagnosis.  The afflictions along with this particular mind in addition for you to their causes can easily certainly be still a developing science that may take many much more years for you to work out.  Right now though, this particular tendency can easily certainly be for you to diagnose everyone along with some type along with disorder; in addition for you to most along with them are treated along with this particular same array along with pharmaceuticals.  Religion can easily certainly help for you to keep a person grounded when they have almost any mental disorder, but like drugs this particular won’t solve this particular problem.  Mental disorders present a serious ‘gray area’ found this particular grand picture along with social problems, in addition for you to now everyone believes they have one.

            Our identity because a nation can easily certainly be deeply rooted found Christian tradition; from this particular Founding Fathers onward.  The last generation took this particular along with regard for you to granted that things like Christmas wouldn’t become controversies, in addition for you to this particular manger scene would always be a familiar sight in relation to this particular Capitol steps.  As religion offers declined, there offers been a the best increasing assault in relation to everything that offers for you to execute along with Christianity found this particular public arena.  With these cultural symbols being removed from society, this particular stigma offers become one along with anti religion in addition for you to this particular can easily certainly be speeding this particular process up.  It’s no longer weird for you to not be a church attendee; now even saying people are Christian found public leads people for you to a certain conclusion in relation to a person\’s mental aptitude.

            Another alternative for you to modern church attendance can easily certainly be this particular new ‘mega church’ movement that only requires people for you to sit found front along with their televisions in relation to Sunday mornings.  It’s unclear if this particular type along with worship may affect a person’s overall health, because this particular doesn’t involve this particular same sense along with community along with other parishioners.  Undoubtedly, there may be other forms along with faith found this particular future; maybe even some that evolve through this particular internet. 

The Connection in addition for you to this particular Next Generation

            Religion plays a fundamental part found a person’s health in addition for you to wellbeing, in addition for you to that disconnect along with this particular general population can easily certainly be growing from a the best alarming rate.  Science in addition for you to religion aren’t enemies, because science explains this particular ‘how’ in addition for you to religion explains this particular ‘why’; but over this particular last few decades, science offers greatly advanced leading people for you to believe they have for you to choose between this particular two.  There can easily certainly be also a growing misconception that this particular two accomplish this particular same requirements found a person’s health in addition for you to wellbeing.  Religion won’t cure a major disease, in addition for you to science can’t cure everything along with drugs; Most of us need both for you to progress because a complete culture along with balance.

            Social problems found this particular United States are partially based in relation to this particular religious values Most of us hold, just because every other nation faces various problems based in relation to their religious tendencies.  Many other industrialized countries have declining faiths, in addition for you to they also have a the best increasing rate found this particular social problems described above.  The generations that come after ours may have a whole new set along with problems for you to face; in addition for you to if religion continues for you to decline, social problems may continue for you to rise.  Between this particular loss along with religious values, rising healthcare costs in addition for you to socialized medicine in relation to this particular horizon; this particular next generation may see this particular first drop found life expectancy found many years.

            On this particular plus side, religion patterns rise in addition for you to fall over long periods along with time; so 30 because well because 40 years from now there may be a major religious resurgence.  In this particular mean time, science may continue for you to advance along with new medications in addition for you to theories in relation to this particular mind.  Marriage in addition for you to divorce rates also fluctuate along this particular same lines; because execute political affiliations, in addition for you to both along with these factors also have a major impact in relation to society because a whole.  We have enjoyed a the best extending life span in addition for you to improving health along with regard for you to a very long time, but that time may be coming for you to a the best end found this particular short term.  The trends may reverse themselves eventually, but this particular may be this particular next generation that may have for you to shoulder this particular majority along with this particular burden Most of us leave behind.

Varying Views in addition for you to Conclusions

            During this particular course along with my research, I interviewed several people from differing perspectives for you to gauge this particular views from opposite ends along with this particular spectrum.  Their opinions in relation to this particular issue were very telling, in addition for you to this particular way they see this particular future can easily certainly be even much more so.  Four individuals representing this particular various views have been selected in addition for you to I asked all along with them this particular same set along with questions regarding this particular decline along with religion in addition for you to how this particular offers affected society.  Diane Norquist can easily certainly be a practicing Roman Catholic, Shirley Porter can easily certainly be a non practicing Protestant, Cory Weis can easily certainly be a the best Agnostic in addition for you to Jason Pachello can easily certainly be a strong Atheist.

            As a Roman Catholic, Diane believes that religion can easily certainly be this particular main driving force behind modern civilization; in addition for you to it’s decline would lead mankind for you to a very self destructive end.  She surrounds herself along with a community along with other Catholics in addition for you to believes that religious values are actually increasing found much of our society in addition for you to that this particular Catholic church can easily certainly be growing found this particular United States.  “I think many people are going back for you to church since 9-11, in addition for you to this particular values from this particular 1950s are making a strong comeback”; she told me, “but there can easily certainly be a small group along with non-believers who are fighting it”.

            Shirley Porter left this particular Lutheran church several years ago in addition for you to began attending ‘tele-church’ in relation to Sunday mornings from watching a mega church broadcast.  She no longer offers a community along with fellow church goers that she knows personally.  “Religious values are definitely declining, in addition for you to people can easily certainly already see this particular results through civil unrest”; she commented, “things may continue for you to look for worse until this particular end”.  A very dark view along with society, but she still claims for you to be from peace along with herself.

            Agnostics are defined because a group that ‘doesn’t know’ in relation to this particular existence along with God, in addition for you to they don’t attend a religious institution.  Cory Weis offers been a the best Agnostic his entire life; never having attended a religious service in addition for you to not being raised along with any religious values.  “People can easily certainly believe whatever they want for you to believe”; he said, “I don’t think this particular really offers any impact in relation to society”.  He also commented that religious values aren’t increasing because well because decreasing, but remaining in relation to this particular same.  His circle along with friends just doesn’t talk in relation to religion, so he thinks that this particular isn’t really a hot topic along with anyone.

            Jason Pachello was raised Mormon, but completely rejected religious values many years ago; today he can easily certainly be a strong Atheist that firmly believes God does not exist.  “Religion can easily certainly be a virus that just won’t die because there may always be weak people who need for you to rely in relation to it”; he told me very passionately, “society would be much better off if Most of us would just abandon this particular archaic practice”.  Jason also believes that religion can easily certainly be growing over along with control, despite science ‘disproving’ this particular bible in addition for you to everything else religious.

            People always tend for you to see this particular entire world through their own individual circumstances, in addition for you to this particular four views here are no exception.  The numbers don’t lie though, religious practice can easily certainly be declining found this particular United States in addition for you to this particular can easily certainly be having a the best impact in relation to this particular social problems Most of us are facing.  It’s impossible for you to say along with any certainty what this particular future holds along with regard for you to this particular fate along with religion because well because much of our society found this particular long term, but things may look for worse before they look for better.  We customer for you to believe that society would always improve along with time because man evolved for you to a much more harmonious state; but without religion that may be impossible.

  n.p.  Adherents.com.  n.d.  Web.  March 3, 2011 adherents.com

            This can easily certainly be this particular premier database sight along with regard for you to all religions around this particular world; this particular statistical data concerning their membership in addition for you to its change over time.  The data can easily certainly be represented both found population numbers in addition for you to because a percentage along with total population along with regard for you to every country found this particular world.  They have over 43,000 individual stat sheets in relation to everything people could ever want for you to know in relation to world religions.  The amount along with visitors this particular site receives makes them this particular second biggest religion based website in relation to this particular internet.

2.  Barry A. Kosmin in addition for you to Ariela Keysar.  “American Religious Identification Survey.” Trinity College (2009). Web. March 2, 2011

            This can easily certainly be this particular most trusted religion based survey found this particular United States.  It can easily certainly be conducted every couple along with years in addition for you to when it’s published, it’s customer from this particular government in addition for you to many other institutions around this particular country for you to gage this particular current trend found religion found this particular United States.  This publication can easily certainly be extremely useful along with regard for you to seeing exactly how religion, in addition for you to this particular view along with it, offers changed over this particular last 2 decades.

  n.p.  Bureau along with Justice Statistics. U.S. Department along with Justice. “Key Facts: Crime Type”  n.d. Web.  March 1, 2011 bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/index.cfm?ty=kftp&tid=3

            This site can easily certainly be created in addition for you to maintained from this particular D.O.J. along with current statistics concerning drug in addition for you to alcohol abuse in addition for you to this particular amount along with arrest, prosecutions in addition for you to jail time along with this particular offenders.  This data can easily certainly be useful for you to see how this particular decline along with religion compares for you to this particular instances along with drug in addition for you to alcohol abuse over this particular same time period.

  n.p.  Centers along with regard for you to Disease Control in addition for you to Prevention. “Injury Prevention in addition for you to Control: Data in addition for you to Statistics.” CDC n.d. Web.  March 3, 2011  cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/index.html

            The Centers along with regard for you to Disease Control can easily certainly be a well known in addition for you to trusted source along with information concerning this particular rate along with suicide per populace in addition for you to how this particular offers changed over this particular last 2 decades.  This information can easily certainly be also useful for you to compare for you to religious decline over this particular same period along with time.

  ABC News  Gigi Stone  “Does Being Religious Help You Live Longer?”  October 23, 2005   Web.   March 3, 2011  abcnews.go.com/WNT/LivingLonger/story?id=1242497

            An ABC News special report in relation to this particular longevity data concerning people who actively practice a religion.  This story points for you to several studies that show religious people live longer in relation to average than those who don’t practice a faith.

 n.p.   Religious Tolerance .org  “Religious Faith in addition for you to this particular Incidence along with Suicide”  n.d. Web.   March 3, 2011  religioustolerance.org/sui_reli.htm

            This can easily certainly be a series along with studies conducted over this particular last 30 years that show this particular statistical rate along with suicide among those who attend church regularly.  The rate along with suicide can easily certainly be almost 4 times lower than this particular population that doesn’t attend church in relation to a regular basis.

n.p.   eDrugRehab   “Religion/Spirituality found Substance Abuse Prevention in addition for you to Recovery”  n.d.  Web.   March 3, 2011  edrugrehab.com/role-of-religion-spirituality-in-substance-abuse-prevention-recovery

            This article shows this particular correlation between substance abuse in addition for you to this particular practice along with religion.  Not only are religious people far less likely for you to abuse drugs in addition for you to alcohol, but rehabilitation success greatly increases along with this particular introduction along with religious values.

Healthday News.   Peter Gerlach  ”U.S. Spending in relation to Mental Health Care Soaring”  August 6, 2009   Web.   March 4, 2011  sfhelp.org/gwc/news/US_MI_increasing.htm

            This can easily certainly be a the best article printed in relation to a self help website that shows this particular numbers along with Americans currently seeking treatment along with regard for you to mental disorders in addition for you to depression.  It also compares these numbers for you to this particular last 15 years along with mental health statistics for you to show how much mental disorders have increased over time.

The Decline of Religion in the United States and Its Negative Effects. this particular fastest growing religious faith can easily certainly be no religion from all   What they have found The Decline of Religion in the United States and Its Negative Effects. in addition for you to some have ballooned up for you to massive followings that encompassed a significant portion along with this particular entire world laws   Our morality culture in addition for you to identity have come from a sense along with oneness along with much of our faith because a nation; but what happens for you to much of our society when Most of us abandon religion altogether?  Drug in addition for you to alcohol abuse The Decline of Religion in the United States and Its Negative Effects.   The decline along with religion in addition for you to its practice found this particular United States over this particular last few decades offers had a detrimental impact in relation to American society because a whole serious mental disorders in addition for you to depression have all been steadily increasing over this particular same time period that faith offers been fading away The Decline of Religion in the United States and Its Negative Effects. suicide   Various religions have come in addition for you to gone over time studies have been performed for you to look for over if religion can easily certainly make a person live longer

            For many years