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Debate Score:22
Arguments:20
Total Votes:26
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 What has caused the decline in practicing religion in the US? (17)

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Justahuman(115) pic



What has caused the decline in practicing religion in the US?

As time goes on more and more people in the US are saying that they do not have a religion, and fewer people are practicing members of a faith community. 

Why do you think that is? Is it due to the attitudes of those religious institutions? The scientific knowledge we now have? Do people not find religious worship fulfilling any more? Is it something else?

Note this is NOT a debate about whether this decline is a good or bad thing! It is about why you think that the decline has occurred. 

  

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Rationalization and science are probably an major reason.

2 points

like all things in this universe all things evolve. Scientific breakthroughs along with archaeological studies are proving left and right that the scripts are either wrong, miss translated and just have no scientific proof to back these claims up.

We are in an age of information as one can find out the truth for just about anything via the Internet ect, you see 50 years ago the world was a lot smaller a person's views were solely based on community, society, and upbringing and had no opportunity other then going to college or traveling the world to expand intellectual thought, that been said the people as we know it have a broader opportunity to expand on their knowledge on other cultures, religion and things as such.

Warjin(1577) Clarified
1 point

Proof of this can be seen all over the world, if you noticed the less intellectual a society is the more likely they are to believe in god and follow religions and the lower that particular societies IQ is, let's look at Texas for example, Texas is one of the most religious states in America but also falls below average when it comes to math and science, and as we all know math and science are key to developing intellectual thought, it is also to no surprise that every state in the bible belt falls under the below average statistic.

Justahuman(115) Disputed
1 point

Its also true though that Massachusetts is consistently ranked as one of the most intelligent states, and it has the highest percent of its population identify as catholic. Similarly New York City has the highest Jewish population in the country and is one of the most intelligent cities.

1 point

People are becoming more open minded

1 point

Or maybe the world is becoming narrower?

DannyMac Disputed
1 point

I would argue that people are becoming more aware of history, science and the universe, and many come to the realisation that man-made religion does not explain our lives' meaning or raison d'etre, and neither do those religions hold much moral authority. People are becoming more aware and accepting of their true place in the grand scheme of things.

It's a counter culture that has arisen in response to organized religion trying to push it's values upon the country upon the advent of extreme scientific progression and a homosexual culture in the 60's - 80's and onward.

In a way, it's just as stupid as organized religion, but at least it's justified and believes in freedom of belief to a slightly higher extent then organized religion does.

1 point

I agree with most of the reason stated already. To add to that list the hypocrisy of many religious leaders is eroding the faith people have in what they are being told. As more and more people try and "exploit" the faithful (think mega church with millionaire CEOs) and get exposed as charlatans, more and more of the faithful are going to abandon their religion or seek a "personal" religion.

I think there are a many "faithful" who, dispite science, would continue to practice religion BUT, so many religios leaders

1 point

The accesibility of the internet. Atheistic arguments and scientific arguments are all over the internet, and it's only a matter of time before even the most religious of people eventually end up reading, if not considering the more logical side of thinking.

1 point

It was the people's choices and their decision on not following that religion.

The times have changed. Practically all businesses are now open on Sunday. Many people have to work on Sundays.

0 points

Its because america is founded on christian bases. Today anything that is considered the "norm" or traditional is now looked down apon. This is because we are constantly trying to make things as equal as possible for new people coming to this country and people with diff religions. Therefore everyone feels welcome and equal. This is the main reason for the loss of practicing religion in the states. Its funny how wishing someone a Merry CHRISTmas is now apparently not politically correct. Now we have to say Happy Holidays so we dont offend anyone, And now there talking about the National Anthem and how children shouldnt sing that in school anymore because it mentions God.

Anything that is based on christianity values or mentions anything involving God,jesus, etc is slowly disapearing. I meen since when is saying MERRY CHRISTMAS wrong?!

Justahuman(115) Disputed
1 point

Where is there God in the national anthem? I cannot find any reference..

GuitarGuy(6096) Clarified
1 point

Probably referring to the Pledge of Allegiance. . .

Cuaroc(8829) Disputed
1 point

Christmas was based off a pagan holiday that Christians stole. America was not founded on christian bases it was founded on freedom of religion. Also the original anthem had not mention of god