Interfaith friendships are on rise, and so are interfaith marriages. In an informal survey, nearly 35% of Muslims and Hindus marry outsides their faiths. The Pew religious landscape pegs it at 31% for the Jewish community, and the General Social Survey points it to 25 percent for the whole nation. Hence, affiliations with universal places of worship to
accommodate their special needs are on rise – continued http://nabsites.net/demo/texas-faith-future-of-religion-in/
TEXAS FAITH: The future of
religion in America
Published by Dallas Morning News on 12/31/12
Texas Faith is a weekly column at Dallas Morning News moderated by Bill
McKenzie and Wayne Slater. At least ten panelists contribute each week
including Mike Ghouse, For all the
responses, please visit – http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2012/12/texas-faith-the-future-of-religion-in-america.html/
Frank
Newport, Gallup’s editor-in-chief, has written a new book, God is Alive and Well: The Future of Religion in America.
One of his main conclusions deals with the communal aspect of religion. Here’s
what the public opinion analyst writes about the data his organization has
collected:
Newport, Gallup’s editor-in-chief, has written a new book, God is Alive and Well: The Future of Religion in America.
One of his main conclusions deals with the communal aspect of religion. Here’s
what the public opinion analyst writes about the data his organization has
collected:
“The religion of tomorrow may increasingly
emphasize informal aspects of community and less hierarchy. Growth will come to
branded churches to the extent that they emulate nondenominational approaches
and highlight community, togetherness, and social fabric ties. Religious
leaders will recognize that the social lives of today’s potential parishioners
are more and more involved with ad hoc groupings, informal networking, and
interaction with those who share affinities. Americans will increasingly
recognize that the social and community aspects of religion are very valuable.”
emphasize informal aspects of community and less hierarchy. Growth will come to
branded churches to the extent that they emulate nondenominational approaches
and highlight community, togetherness, and social fabric ties. Religious
leaders will recognize that the social lives of today’s potential parishioners
are more and more involved with ad hoc groupings, informal networking, and
interaction with those who share affinities. Americans will increasingly
recognize that the social and community aspects of religion are very valuable.”
Here, then, is the
question for discussion:
question for discussion:
How do you
see the future for religion in America, especially the communal aspect? If
Newport is right, how do you see your tradition adapting to the religion of
tomorrow?
see the future for religion in America, especially the communal aspect? If
Newport is right, how do you see your tradition adapting to the religion of
tomorrow?
MIKE GHOUSE, President,
Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas
Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas
Frank Newport has captured the essence of tomorrow’s
communal aspect of America very well. Indeed, there is a parallel experience at
Facebook, the center of our new universe, where we function in a similar
pattern in a different social setting.
communal aspect of America very well. Indeed, there is a parallel experience at
Facebook, the center of our new universe, where we function in a similar
pattern in a different social setting.
The message of Pluralism and inclusiveness in both religion
and politics has delivered over 10,000 Facebook friends to me, and the number
is still growing with subscribers. While at the same time, Facebook has made it
easier for one to create his or her own group to cater to fulfill his or her
narrow interests as well, thus there is an explosive growth and formation of
innumerable ad hoc groups.
and politics has delivered over 10,000 Facebook friends to me, and the number
is still growing with subscribers. While at the same time, Facebook has made it
easier for one to create his or her own group to cater to fulfill his or her
narrow interests as well, thus there is an explosive growth and formation of
innumerable ad hoc groups.
I see the awakening of liberties in each individual to run
from exclusive theological teachings and move towards inclusive non-denominational
churches.
from exclusive theological teachings and move towards inclusive non-denominational
churches.
There is rarely a school, workplace, playground or social
settings in urban areas where one is not exposed, and is not connected with
people of different faiths and cultures. Indeed, it is comfortable to be a part
of a congregation where such values are embraced to fulfill of our communal
needs. Indeed, we are built to live in harmony with others and are drawn
towards inclusiveness.
settings in urban areas where one is not exposed, and is not connected with
people of different faiths and cultures. Indeed, it is comfortable to be a part
of a congregation where such values are embraced to fulfill of our communal
needs. Indeed, we are built to live in harmony with others and are drawn
towards inclusiveness.
Interfaith friendships are on rise, and so are interfaith
marriages. In an informal survey, nearly 35% of Muslims and Hindus marry
outsides their faiths. The Pew religious landscape pegs it at 31% for the
Jewish community, and the General Social Survey points it to 25 percent for the
whole nation.
marriages. In an informal survey, nearly 35% of Muslims and Hindus marry
outsides their faiths. The Pew religious landscape pegs it at 31% for the
Jewish community, and the General Social Survey points it to 25 percent for the
whole nation.
Religion is a part of 85% of Americans. Nearly a 1/3rd of
all Americans are marrying outside their faith. Hence, affiliations with
universal places of worship to accommodate their special needs are on rise.
all Americans are marrying outside their faith. Hence, affiliations with
universal places of worship to accommodate their special needs are on rise.
There is also the pleasure principle at work, where we are
drawn toward our comfort zone for our individual needs. Ad hoc groupings are
also increasing to share affinities within religion, social networking, music,
politics, cuisines, hobbies, humor, poetry, gun control etc. And Facebook has
become instrumental in the formation of smaller self-interest groups.
drawn toward our comfort zone for our individual needs. Ad hoc groupings are
also increasing to share affinities within religion, social networking, music,
politics, cuisines, hobbies, humor, poetry, gun control etc. And Facebook has
become instrumental in the formation of smaller self-interest groups.
The shift is toward connecting a piece of an individual with
a similar piece of the other. instead of the whole that may come with pain from
conflict.
a similar piece of the other. instead of the whole that may come with pain from
conflict.
————
Mike Ghouse is a speaker,
thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at
work place and standing up for
others as an activist. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers
pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a presence
on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV,
and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the
Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning
News, fortnightly at Huffington post, and several
other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes everything you
want to know about him.
Mike Ghouse is a speaker,
thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at
work place and standing up for
others as an activist. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers
pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a presence
on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV,
and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the
Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning
News, fortnightly at Huffington post, and several
other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes everything you
want to know about him.