Religion in Today’s Culture

Oct 17, 2012 by Juniette Fiore

In the last five years, America has seen an increase in people who do not identify with any religion. Only about 48% of the population currently label themselves as Protestants while the numbers of citizens who consider themselves unaffiliated have risen by about 5% since 2007. Most of these citizens have been found to be part of the younger, more liberal generation. This is important because young adults are the future of America and their views definitely have an effect on the changes this country will go through.

However, it is not surprising to see cultural movements where people become more independent in thinking. Society becoming more global means that there will be influences coming in from all directions. Our way of life is bound to change. Religion itself has evolved through the years because it cannot always keep up with the current norms of society. Many people have begun to feel pressured by churches or religious groups, which could be considered as another contribution for this cultural shift. Many times, the citizens of this country have found themselves alienated or even discriminated against if they do not follow the exact views of certain religious groups. Other citizens have found themselves caught between traditional and progressive views of religions. The Pew Research Center recently reported that about 68% of the unaffiliated actually do believe in God and 37% consider themselves spiritual although not religious.

The amount of unaffiliated citizens in the United States will most likely continue to grow and create a change in the political landscape of this country. Those without religious affiliation have largely supported President Barack Obama in the past, especially back in 2008. This religious shift may lead presidential campaigns of the future to target these groups more than usual. Already, the unaffiliated have a strong leaning towards the Democratic Party.  It would be interesting to see how the Republican Party responds to this change in the next few decades since the traditionally religious have always been considered as important targets in their campaigns.

Thoughts? Tweet us @outloudonline