As Americans, we haven't even established proper language to describe the changes taking place on our spiritual cutting edge. The most exciting religious group in the U.S. at the moment is comprised of more than 40 million men and women who refuse to name a religious affiliation when pollsters ask that standard survey-screening question. These people aren't rejecting religion out of hand. They simply feel no social pressure to provide an official label when asked about their spiritual lives. We have no name for this burgeoning segment of our population so, at the moment, we refer to them simply by the word they give in response to pollsters. In terms of public religious affiliation, they're the "Nones."
Hinduism seems to be a tiny minority in the U.S., but Target stores coast to coast sell yoga clothes and gear to huge numbers of Americans. Is this true Hindu practice or not? That debate is far from resolved. Alcoholics Anonymous, a huge movement once thought to be outside the sphere of religion, now is regarded by many scholars as a pioneer in launching grassroots, independently organized spiritual communities. But is AA a denomination? Debates also continue over whether members of the rapidly growing Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are Christian. Mormons and some mainline Christians say they are; others argue passionately that they shouldn't be labeled "Christian."
In this era of transformation, we don't have a vocabulary to chart the change.
And what about "alternative beliefs" in concepts such as astrology, contact with the dead, and extra-terrestrial visitations? If the entire population of these "alternative" believers formed a denomination, their numbers would rival the U.S. population of Catholics, based on estimates of these beliefs by the Gallup Poll.
After hundreds of interviews in 9,000 miles, one thing is clear: Americans pray. Americans read the Bible and other scriptures. Every day, Americans continue to ask the three timeless religious questions, usually voiced as: Why should I climb out of bed in the morning? How will I make it through another stressful day? And, at the end of the day, what did I accomplish that truly mattered? These are echoes of the ancient religious questions: Why are we here? How shall we live? And, what are the enduring consequences of good and evil?
The future of religion? No question, it's a timeless lifeline for millions in America and billions around the world. But, will our recognizable denominations survive? That depends on our ability to connect the timeless treasures of our traditions with the dire daily needs of today.
David Crumm is an author, journalist, and filmmaker with more than twenty years of experience as a religion writer for the Detroit Free Press, Knight-Ridder newspapers, and Gannett. He is now the editor of ReadTheSpirit.com.
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