(Community Matters) An interesting article and not at all surprising – Americans who identify as Christian down 10%; 15% identify no religion, up from 8.2% in 1990.
My former Episcopal priest metaphorically shuddered when I asked if we had to mention Jesus so much during services, and another priest once ignored me when I asked that he give an all-faith inclusive prayer before a birthday dinner. I find guidance and enlightenment while at my church and currently choose to formally worship as an Episcopalian. The Jesus I celebrate didn’t hang with the righteous as much as reach out charitably to nonbelievers. And, I don’t believe he’d be happy about his name being used other than inclusively.
I’ve celebrated and worshiped considerably with Catholics (the religion into which I was born and of which one of my best friends unconsciously also adds to any list after noting Christians), Mormans and Baptists. I am drawn today to Judaism and recently felt a sense of belonging and inclusion in a synagogue as I have only felt in our multicultural, inclusive congregation known as St. James.
Leonard Pitts notes that religion has become an ugly thing – he’s right, and it’s sad. I don’t know if there is a hell or a heaven. Though, if there is, I imagine those who make religion an ugly thing have confirmed reservations. I’m less sure of what awaits those of us who lean on religion to avoid reconciling injustices, prejudices and right from wrong. Perhaps we’ll be spared harsh judgement because of our lazy ignorance and reliance on the charlatans. Or perhaps we’ll be judged harshly for not righting what’s wrong in our organized assemblies and for turning away others.
Community Matters 
What drives people away from a god is the discovery that no such thing exists, totally a figment of the human vivid imagination.
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