Religion: Going, Going, Gone?

The report from The Program on Public Values at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, has suggested that more and more Americans are less and less ‘religious’. The study found that growing numbers claim to have no religious tendencies or practices at all.

The survey included 54,461 adults and was conducted from February through November of last year. The findings, which are part of a series of studies on trends in American religion, found that Northern New England surpassed the Pacific Northwest as the least religious region. Of the 15% who now claim to no religious bent whatsoever, Vermont reports the highest share at 34 percent of the state, although the overall number of like-minded Americans rose in every state.

The future of America will be closely tied to her people’s attitude toward the God of the Bible and toward the moral principles found in His word. Tragically, the current statistics reveal the sad truth of a nation in steady decline and in desperate need of spiritual revival more than economic repair. But the growing numbers who claim to have no religion at all have overlooked something basic in the New Testament book of Romans.

Beginning in Romans 1:18, the Apostle Paul reveals that God cannot, and will not, excuse sin and spiritual rebellion. Verses 19-21 show why none can honestly state that they do not have any belief in the existence of a Supreme Being. Attempting to do so requires a conscious suppression of the obvious truth that is all around them and instinctively in them. Verses 21- 24 of the chapter get right to the heart of the matter for those who claim to have no religion. The 21st verse begins, “Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man — and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.”

Simply stated, everyone worships something or someone. And if it is not the Creator God of the Scriptures, another entity will always take His place. Man was created to worship and fellowship with his Maker and that can only take place through a saving knowledge of His Savior Son. The New Testament uses the term religion very sparingly, with two of the times being in James chapter one. James writes, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:26-27)

The word ‘religion’ in this passage comes from a Greek word that refers to a pious ceremonial worship. It is generally connected to some organized church setting or particular denomination. And perhaps the growing numbers who claim no religious affiliation are those who no longer attend formal church services in any way. But having, or not having, ‘religion’ is not the issue. It is all about having or not having a relationship with Jesus Christ – a truth boldly presented in 1 John 5:11-12. “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

If America is becoming less ‘religious', and therefore less moral and more vulnerable to decay, it is not because her people have no formal religion. It will be because they have no relationship with a Savior. And it will be partly because those who do know Christ have allowed their faith to degenerate to just a formal ‘religion’ and have not fully heeded the warning of Romans 12.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2)

Bill Breckenridge