RELIGION AND FAITH IN THE USA--A MILE WIDE AND AN INCH DEEP

AMERICA'S RELIGIOUS FAITH AND PRACTICES:  A SHALLOW, MURKY SEA OF BELIEF

The "Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life" has just published the second of two landmark studies on religion in America.  The first dealt with religious affiliation and this one deals with beliefs and practices.  The basic summary is that America is a religiously diverse country, its people very interested in religion but very tolerant of diversity.  That tolerance leads to a lukewarm practice and belief by most religious groups.  HIt particularly hard are America's Catholics.

Catholics in this country are, by and large, fairly ignorant of the teachings of their faith.  79% of Catholics think that many religions can lead to eternal life, while 77% of Catholics think there is more than one way to interpret the truths of their faith. (That compares with 70%/68% finding for the same categories for all Americans affiliated with a religion).  To be fair, a better question for Catholics would have been, "Can people of other faiths be saved?" because Catholicism does hold that God can save those outside of our faith, BUT--and here's the rub--if anyone is saved, it is by Jesus only, not by Mohammed, Buddha, Confucious or the Force.  However, it seems reasonable to think that Catholics in this country do not see the primacy of their faith in the order of salvation.  "Outside the Church, there is no salvation" is not familiar to them nor have they made an effort to figure out what that might mean.  Consequently, it's not surprise that with that type of tolerance, i.e., all religions are equally true, Catholics in this country are indeed fond of the cafteria line of belief.  We take what we like to believe and leave the rest.

Perhaps most disturbing of all is the question of belief in a personal God.  Protestants and Catholics believe equally in the existence of God (98% and 97% respectively).  But whereas 72% of Protestants believe in a personal God, only 60% of Catholics do.  The other option:  God as an impersonal force.  Clearly, this reveals a huge hole present in Catholic belief--many, many Catholics simply have no awareness of an experience of God.  Consequently, the whole sacramental system, upon which our Catholic experience of God is based, is clearly not appreciated or used by many Catholics as a way to meet Christ and commune with the divine.  The Church has done a poor job of communicating its greatest gift; namely, the ability to contact God through the sacraments in the most intimate and close way of any religion on earth.

If you'd like to check out a summary of the report go to Summary.  It will also take you to the full report which is chock full of important research that really goes to the heart of the strength and weakness of religion in America.

Ignorance of the teachings of our faith, a limited experience of God, a feeling that all ways are equal ways to God, make the practice of Cathoicism in this country and all religion in general in America, somewhat problematic.  For Catholics and other Christians, gone is the faith of the martyrs and the deep experiential practice of the early Church, Celtic Christianity, and Medieval Christendom.  In their place, is a diluted, rather unexciting and undemanding faith.  Pretty pathetic, and ultimately a type of Christianity unable to battle secularism and other radical faiths.  Where do we go from here?  As we begin the year of St. Paul--perhaps its time to fall off our horses, see the light, and boldly proclaim the Gospel of Christ, and convince folks that there really is no other name than that of Jesus by which we all can be saved.

 

Comments

[Dragonfly]

What a frightening thought. Not having a personal relationship with GOd. Our priest from our parish works very hard to inform anyone who will listen, on the facts of our faith, knowing so many of us have been brought up in traditions with no foundation. The young priests of today will enlighten the new generations and our Catholic faith will flourish. I do believe this. Christ is the most beautiful yet simple gift to recieve. Yet we make it so difficult to achieve. Don't loose heart........