Is this a story of doom and gloom? Or something else altogether?
The article, on CNN’s Belief Blog, recounts the results of an international census study by a team of mathematicians. The study concludes, “Organized religion will all but vanish eventually from nine Western-style democracies.”
Those countries, according to the mathematicians, are Ireland, Canada, Austria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.
The study’s authors base their report on two assumptions:
- It’s more attractive to be part of the majority than the minority and in the countries named, people who are not part of any organized religion are the fastest growing group.
- In these nine countries, there are “social, economic and political advantages” to being unaffiliated with any organized religion.
What attracted me to this article is the whole idea of belonging to an “organized religion”. I don’t think I’m stating it too strongly when I write that those two words are even less popular than “tax increase”.
And I have a pastor to back me up.
Ross Carkner, of Whitby Baptist Church in Ontario, told me this study isn’t even mildly alarming.
“You could be talking to a real Jesus follower and ask them about organized religion and they’d say ‘I’m not interested’. So I’m not in the least bit concerned.”
There’s something else at play in this study, something the authors don’t bother to consider. They seem to assume that being part of a religious group is the same as belonging to the Kiwanis Club or a lawn bowling league. For some people, that may be the case and they might, indeed, drift out of “organized religion” based exactly on the authors’ two assumptions.
But were those people ever really part of a faith group? For serious Jesus followers like the ones Ross was referring to, it doesn’t matter how popular the group is because it’s not about the group. It’s about a living, day-to-day relationship with God through His son, Jesus. And that transcends any popularity contest or sociological label.
I would be a pretty sorry Jesus follower – and a despicable example to people who don’t follow Him – if I examined the state of my faith, decided it was as solid as Jello, then bailed out.
So what about you? Are you interested in being part of a group? Or are you intrigued by a living faith that transcends groups, disregards popularity, and ignores study results? If you’re reading this because you’re willing to consider the latter, then ponder what Jesus told one audience: “Are you tired? Burned out on religion? Come to me . . . and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.”
What do you think? Post your comment below and let’s have a conversation.
Frank's Cottage 
Excellent article Frank! I go with the way of Jesus!
Thanks for reading and commenting, Tom. 🙂
Frank, I don’t mind organized religion, I actually prefer it to disorganized religion. I think as members of the body of Christ, as the real flesh and blood representation of Christ in the world, we need order, structure, and direction. In other words, we need organization.
You are right if you believe that Christianity is first about His redeeming us, and about our relationship, our discipleship and our obedience to His will. Nothing in that equation though, adds up to doing our own thing as only we see fit, with no order imposed.
Jesus said, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church”, and he meant something when he said that.
From the very first page of Genesis to the last page of Revelations there are unlimited examples of God’s order being good– why would religion be any different?
I’m with you on this, Terry. The essay is aimed primarily at non-Christians, most of whom think of Christianity as just another annoying “organized religion”. I know I did before coming to faith in 2002.
I appreciate your sharing this article Frank and as well your spin on it. I know for a fact there is a rising number of people who are walking away from organized religion and falling into the arms of Christ, hearing God’s Voice within leading them moment by moment.
They no longer need another to tell them who God is or to be a God for them. Even more exciting to me is that these ones are hearing the same messages of love and unity. It truly is as if, it can only be, Christ organizing these things. This is the Good News and it is now available to all.
My troubled life was changed to one of victory by a personal visitation of Spirit of Christ in my home years ago. My only church attendance was a four year stent in a small Methodist church with my family. It has been my experience that teachings from churches and sects about their “brand of God” tends to separate humanity when Christ pleaded for an understanding of oneness with God within all souls. My experience has been one of transformation and miracles outside of “church.” My life is about sharing my understanding of our oneness with a God (by any name or label) of Unconditional Love and with one another as brothers and sisters who can connect by going within to fan the flame of that love.
Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose. 🙂
Religion will change over time, but I doubt it will ever go away completely. You have me curious about the mathematical analysis tho, I’ll have to look it up.