Numbers praying up, while religious links decline, US study finds
By Chris Herlinger
The number of Americans who are praying is increasing at the same time as more of them say they have no formal religious affiliation, a study of religious trends has found.
The dynamic represents an "apparent shift in patterns of spiritual practice and identity away from the familiar institutions," Omar M. McRoberts, a University of Chicago sociologist and researcher, told Ecumenical News International. "We are witnessing a decoupling of 'spirituality' from 'religion'."
He added: "I think we can expect to see yet more novel versions of religiosity appear, in response to changes in spirituality". McRoberts noted that "people's spiritual identifications are always shifting".
The University of Chicago study, released on 23 October, appears to confirm the findings of other recent studies that those calling themselves "spiritual but not religious" are becoming an increasingly prominent grouping in the United States.
"While fewer people identify with a particular religion, belief in God remains high," said Tom W. Smith, an author of the study and director of the General Social Survey at the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago.
Smith told ENI the spirituality study is based on numerous studies surveys of data, including the General Social Survey's own study of 52 000 adults in the United States.
The Chicago spirituality study found that while belief in God has declined in the United States since the 1950s - from 99 percent then to 92 percent now - overwhelming majorities say they feel connected to God.
Still, the "spiritual but un-churched" are a growing force, with the Chicago study finding that nearly a quarter, 22 percent, have never attended a religious service. This is an increase from 9 percent in 1972. The study found that 16 percent listed "none" when asked to specify their formal religious affiliation.
However, the study also found that the number of people practising daily prayer in the United States rose from 52 percent, in a 1989-90 survey, to 59 percent now. Belief in the afterlife among U.S. residents also increased, from 69 percent in 1973 to 73 percent.
U.S. results were compared to religious practices elsewhere, and surveys compiled by the Chicago study found that religiosity is strongest in predominately Muslim countries, while less strong in Western Europe. However, belief in God has increased in formerly communist-ruled eastern Europe, a trend researchers have called "a pattern of resilience".
"After decades of repression by anti-religionist, authoritarian regimes, in the face of national tragedies, and following serious self-inflicted harm from moral failures by religious leaders, religion has shown the ability to rebound," Smith said.
Source: Ecumenical News International