Reflection on an Atlantic Article that Discusses how Religion Declined in the United States and how the Nones Grew

Recently a new article came out at The Atlantic that looked at the rise of the nones and examined why America was becoming more secular. What contributed to the decline of religion is the marrying of politics and he Republican Party, the end of the Cold War and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The rise of the internet also has played a role. Today you can Google yourself into atheism which previously was not possible. 

Recommended Read: Michael Gerson in the Washington Post on Why White Evangelicals Should Panic

Michael Gerson wrote a column at the Washington Post the other day which created a lot of attention on social media. The post dealt with why white evangelicals should be afraid. Their embrace of politics and Trump has come with a large trade off: Many people in the 18 to 29 age bracket are rejecting evangelicalism and walking away.

Are Millennials Leaving Religion for Reasons Other than Politics?

This is a brief article based on an older Religious News Service article about the rise of the nones. Is it more than just politics that is resulting in millennials abandoning religion? I very much believe that the changing demographics is also a factor. 

Phil Zuckerman on Secular Family Values and Ethics of the Nones

A college professor from Pitzer in Claremont, California writes an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times about secular families and ethics. As the nones grow in the United States, secular families are teaching and imparting ethics and morality in children and in the process show that God is not needed. It will be interesting to watch these families over the course of time. 

Recommended Read on the Nones and Folk Religion from the Religion News Service

This is a brief post pushing an article I read at the Religion News Service. The article deals with the growth of folk religion and how its affecting the “nones”, Catholics, atheists, and other Christians.

When Religion is as Destructive as Alcoholism or Drug Addiction

This is an article that reflects on an older post from Mike Anderson who led The Resurgence at Mars Hill in Seattle. What do you do when religion leads you to places that are dark and to behaviors just as destructive as alcoholism or drug addiction? This also reflects on what I have seen in my own life. 

Franklin Graham Says Donald Trump is a “Defender of the Christian Faith.” Plus Newsweek on Young Evangelicals Abandoning Faith Because of Politics

In an interview recently Franklin Graham said that Donald Trump is a “defender of the Christian faith.” That received a lot of attention and a response from the atheist community. Shortly after that took place Newsweek had a cover story that examines the dying relationship between younger evangelicals and politics. Young evangelicals are walking away from the church in bulk because they are sick of the politics.

Why People Stop Believing. A Response to an Article Posted at the National EFCA Blog About Christians Who Lose Faith

The national EFCA blog had an article by Paul Chamberlain on Christians who lose faith. I read this blog post and wanted to do a response. I have written about faith crisis and loss of faith. This is an issue that is near and dear to me given my own experience. Above all else its The Wondering Eagle’s hope that the EFCA will honestly listen to those who have lost faith to try and understand them better. 

E.J. Dionne Jr. in The Washington Post on Why Young People are Abandoning Religion

E.J. Dione wrote a column in The Washington Post that took off on social media. I first read it and moved on, but I kept seeing it coming up on Twitter. E.J. looks at the reason why young people are abandoning religion and why the Nones are swelling as time passes. This looks at how evangelical involvement in politics as well as how religion is used, combined with shifting attitudes of being gay are affecting culture. 

Guest Post: Atheist Karen Garst Selection from Her New Book: How Children are Indoctrinated into Religion

This is a guest atheist post from Karen Garst, and is a selection from her upcoming book which is being released later this in May. In this post Karen explores the issue of how religion is indoctrinated into children. Indoctrination is a major problem that exists today  in that it sets up people for failure, especially when they realize that what they are taught it not true.