“One-in-Five Adults Have No Religious Affiliation” according to new Pew Study

In the United States nearly 20% of Adults are “religiously unaffiliated” according to the latest research produced by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life this week.

The “Nones”

More Americans than ever before don’t identify with any type of organized religion. This number has increased by 5% in the past five years, and it appears to be a growing trend.

Growth of the Religiously Unaffiliated, Pew Research Center

Young Adults & Religion Of the 46 million Americans who label themselves as “unaffiliated” to any type of religion, the predominant age group is between 18-22, where a staggering 32% of the labeled themselves as ‘unaffiliated’. It also concludes that the number of atheists and agnostics has reached an all time high, covering 6% of the American population.

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Reflect on this
The problem with this picture is that despite of what we believe we all need a relationship with God more than any other relationship. We were not designed to exist divorced from Him, and doing so has inevitable consequences to our lives. Many of our needs as human beings can only be fulfilled through our relationship with God, such as true peace, true security and purpose. It’s safe to say that anyone who pushed God away from the center of his or her lives have unfulfilled needs that only He can meet.


Help others by Sharing
This week we want to encourage you to share Bible passages that speak directly about these needs that only God can meet. One way to engage the a ‘unaffiliated’ is to be sensitive to their needs by showing them how the bible can help them cope with the challenges of life. Here is a list of great passages you can share:

“And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” - 2 Peter 1:4

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” - Matthew 11:28-29

“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” - Isaiah 40:29-31

“No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:37-39