CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY DECEMBER 16, 2021
HERE’S A SURPRISE. THE PEW RESEARCH CENTER SAYS RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION IN AMERICA HAS
CONTINUED TO FALL DURING THE PANDEMIC. THE PERCENTAGE OF AMERICANS WHO IDENTIFY AS
CHRISTIANS NOW STANDS AT 63 PERCENT, DOWN FROM 65 PERCENT IN 2019 AND FROM 78 PERCENT IN
2007. MEANWHILE, 29 PERCENT OF AMERICANS NOW IDENTIFY AS HAVING NO FAITH. THAT’S UP FROM 26
PERCENT IN 2019 AND 16 PERCENT IN 2007. YES, THE FAITH OF MANY HAS BEEN STRENGTHENED DURING
THE PANDEMIC, BUT THE TREND IS DOWNWARD, ESPECIALLY AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.
PEW NOTES MANY PLACES OF WORSHIP CLOSED DURING THE PANDEMIC, BUT I THINK THAT ‘S ONLY PART
OF THE REASON FOR THE DECLINE. THERE IS A SKEPTICISM AMONG THE YOUNG WHO THINK THEY ARE THE
FIRST GENERATION TO WALK THE EARTH AND HAVE TO FIGURE OUT EVERYTHING ON THEIR OWN.
THERE IS ALSO POLITICS. THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN MANY YOUNG MINDS IS SEEN AS AN APPENDANGE OF
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND DONALD TRUMP. IT IS ALSO SEEN AS A PERFORMANCE CENTER, NOT A BODY
OF BELIEVERS WHO LOVE ONE ANOTHER AND THUS NOT RELEVANT TO MANY YOUNG LIVES.
THE CHURCH BELONGS TO JESUS CHRIST AND ONLY HE HAS THE POWER TO TURN THIS AROUND. WE
SHOULD PRAY THAT HE WILL. I’M CAL THOMAS.
