Superstitions bloom as religions fall out of favor in the West

[dArKeR]

The superstitious can breathe again. This year there is only one Friday the 13th, and it falls in the merry month of May.

Whether the number of black cats that could cross one's path has risen, or how many shooting stars might be sighted is, however, more difficult to predict.

One thing is clear: Those with a penchant for the supernatural will find sufficient reason to study the omens, whether good or bad.

There is probably little wrong with this, as long as superstition does not begin to dominate the subject's life.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2005/02/25/2003224505

[somnior]

1. Germany vs America

I don't remember the numbers, but I've seen studies that show that upwards of 66% to perhaps as much as 85-90% (best guess at a memory) of Americans hold a belief in angels. And of course any number of other things, whether deemed religious or superstitious.

Incidentally, I once saw an article that stated stats along the lines that half of all Jews (in America) didn't actually believe in God, and lesser but still significant numbers for Catholics and Protestants (around 20-30% each). I'll try and dig that up, it might be interesting.

[somnior]

2. Guess Who Doesn't Believe In God?

Subtitle: Ten percent of Protestants, 21 percent of Roman Catholics, and 52 percent of Jews do NOT believe in God.

http://channels.netscape.com/ns/news/package.jsp?name=fte/notbelieveingod/notbelieveingod

[davidinalameda]

3. isn't believing in God part of being a Protestant and a Catholic

I'm confused

[somnior]

4. Well...

That's what intrigued me about the article.

I can at least provide my answer: no.

The Church (any one of them) would say differently.

It's quite possible to accept some, or all, of Jesus' teachings without claiming anything supernatural. While the name of the religion would then be a misnomer, if someone who follows such teachings can't be called Christian, I don't know that anyone could be.

There are many Christians - there are few who follow or even accept the teachings of Jesus (the same could be said of most creeds).

[Ian David]

5. Here is what the article does not address

I believe the key reason why people are falling out of love with religion and connecting with superstition and spirituality is the divisive and exclusionary practices of organized religion.

When was the last time you heard about a bunch of Druids going out and bashing a bunch of Wiccans? Or about Druids or Wiccans protesting that God/Gods/Goddesses hate someone? Or about a Pagan group with a policy that excludes certain people?

Who the heck wants to join a group that regularly tells you how wicked you are and how everyone you care about is going to Hell if they're not sitting in the pew next to you?

Granted, not all religions, sects, or congregations are guilty of this. I would be interested to see if "welcoming" congregations are growing faster (or shrinking slower) than the more "conservative" ones.

How are The Unitarians and Universal Church of Christ doing lately compared to the RCC and Southern Baptists? Reform Judaism vs Orthodox? What are the average ages of their congregations?