"Faith in Flux: Changes in Religious Affiliation in the U.S

[Cooper]

www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-religion-churn28-2009apr28,0,689954.story

44% of adults have switched religious affiliations or abandoned ties to a specific religion.

[LisaM22]

good to see many people are at least searching for the truth rather then just accepting what they were taught growing up

[Details]

"only" a quarter of former Catholics who switched mention the pedophile scandals as the reason? I think they're understating that "only" - any reason that causes a 33% increase in those leaving the religion is not an "only". People change religions, but for an extra 33% (presuming the 25% who say that is why they left would have stayed, only the 75% would have left, 25% is 33% of 75% - so it's a 33% increase in departing members).

It's a big number - I hope the Vatican is listening. People change religions for their own reasons all the time - but to have such a huge chunk of extra people leaving should be a concern for them - I hope it means they'll take this all seriously, more seriously than they have so far.

[Cooper]

"only" a quarter of former Catholics who switched mention the pedophile scandals as the reason? I think they're understating that "only" - any reason that causes a 33% increase in those leaving the religion is not an "only". People change religions, but for an extra 33% (presuming the 25% who say that is why they left would have stayed, only the 75% would have left, 25% is 33% of 75% - so it's a 33% increase in departing members).

It's a big number - I hope the Vatican is listening. People change religions for their own reasons all the time - but to have such a huge chunk of extra people leaving should be a concern for them - I hope it means they'll take this all seriously, more seriously than they have so far.

What is really scary is what the church did after they found out they had molesters in the church.

Has anyone seen the movie "Doubt?"

[Keegan]

What is really scary is what the church did after they found out they had molesters in the church.

Has anyone seen the movie "Doubt?"

This church is out of touch with people of today. It is not just the molesters. It is allowing a nine year old to carry a baby by her rapist step father and punishing the mother and doctor. It is their very harsh rules about homosexuals not having a sex life but yet welcoming them. It is not allowing women to have a larger role in the church as priests. Believing that the dead saints can bring healing. Believing the mother of Jesus appears in the sky. I could go on and on. They are just not servicing people of today and I see their numbers will continue to decline.

[lunchlady]

I think the Catholic Church is somewhat resigned to their shrinkage in the US, partly because of their growth in other places, especially Asia. Just like the tobacco companies.

I don't think the pedophile problem is new. I now wonder if my grandfather was a victim. He was such a completely lapsed Catholic, negative about all forms of religion even, and so virulently anti-gay. I would never ask him even if he was alive, but it would explain a lot of things.

[Cooper]

I think the Catholic Church is somewhat resigned to their shrinkage in the US, partly because of their growth in other places, especially Asia. Just like the tobacco companies.

I don't think the pedophile problem is new. I now wonder if my grandfather was a victim. He was such a completely lapsed Catholic, negative about all forms of religion even, and so virulently anti-gay. I would never ask him even if he was alive, but it would explain a lot of things.


Yes, the Catholic church appears to flourish in places of poverty and low educational attainment.

I don't think the "problem" is new either.