When Good News Isn’t

So the supposed good news in this article is that 36 to 50 years old are more into religion that the boomers before them. They have not given up on religion like so many of the anti-institutional boomers. The article suggests those of us that ultimately would like to see full pews should rejoice. After all, more of those pews might be warmed each week if these numbers are true.

If you keep reading, though, you will understand why this good news really isn’t. Why are they sticking around? Because there are so many churches with so many different teachings, practices, styles, preachers, etc that they can always find one in their image. It is not that this generation is more loyal to orthodox Christianity. It is that Christianity is much less orthodox than it was when the boomers left the church to live the life of hedonism. Want a church that is all about women’s liberation? No trouble. Want one that approves of your favorite sexual sins? You can find it. Want one that rarely mentions sin at all? Sure. Want a church that plays nice with all other religions? There are plenty. Want a church that puts on productions that rival broadway? Again there are many.

I find little good news in this study. While intended to speak well of this particular group of people, it truly just reveals the sickness of the Church. Lord, have mercy.

clipped from news.yahoo.com Young Americans more loyal to religion than Boomers NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) – Younger Americans, between the ages of 36 to 50, are more likely to be loyal to religion than Baby Boomers, according to new research. He said the trend “is good news for those who worry about declining religious adherence.” Schwadel attributed the younger generation’s overall loyalty to religion to a less staid and more innovative religious scene in America today, while religion in the past was more conservative, less diverse and stricter If people are not happy with one religion now, they can easily switch to a different denomination or faith, he added.