Losing Our Religion

I just watched a story by Dan Harris on abcnews.com that reports on a stunning trend among the youth in the United States. Since 1990, the number of young people - Generation X & Y - who claim to not be part of a religion has skyrocketed from 5-10% in 1990 to 30-40% according to some new research out of Harvard University. In the interview, the researcher states that American youth have grown increasingly opposed to the association between religion and the conservative political right. He states that they are not atheist but rather view faith and politics through a radically different lens than their parents' generations. A new generation refuses to accept the conservative social agenda - primarily abortion & homosexuality - as the stance a "good Christian" should take.

There is no doubt the landscape of American religion has changed drastically and by all indicators will continue to do so. Politics is an area of such varied positions and opinions, all of which seem to be lightning rods of intense debate. Religion and Politics is even more controversial! For many years the Republicans have had a monopoly on church-goers. It is common opinion that one who confesses Jesus as Lord cannot (at risk of the fires of hell) vote for someone who is pro-choice & pro-homosexuality. Issues such as poverty, war, environment, and others have taken a back seat to "The Big Two." As I continue to study and explore what it means to be part of the kingdom of God, it is becoming increasingly clear to me that God's people are called to see a larger picture from a very different perspective. God very much cares about the poor, victims of war, and the environment. He also cares about life from its earliest beginnings to its final breath. He cares about sexuality - both hetero and homo - and demands that both be submitted to him. Yes homosexuality is a sin but so is adultery. And I would be willing to wager that more harm has been done through heterosexual sin than has ever been done through homosexuality. It is interesting to read as the Republican party tries to reinvent themselves in the midst of such widespread religious turmoil.

What does this mean for the kingdom of God? Well, God is certainly not a Republican and personally I have no stake in insuring the future of either dominant political party. However, I do have a stake in the kingdom of God. I am passionate about navigating the intersection between the kingdom of God, the church, and American culture. As the role of church in our society changes, it is an incredible opportunity for the church to reevaluate its identity and mission amidst changing times. I am excited about the future and look forward to exploring what the kingdom of God looks like in the 21st century.