A recent Pew Research study on “Decline of Christianity in the U.S. Has Slowed, May Have Leveled Off” concludes that after many years of steady decline, the share of Americans who identify as Christians shows signs of leveling off – at least temporarily – at slightly above six-in-ten. This is according to a massive new Pew Research Center survey of 36,908 U.S. adults.
Let us hope that these findings slow down the fear of native Christians and their politicization of religion, which started with the movement of “Moral Majority”, a few decades ago!
It is very important to separate “Religion” and “theology” – faith based on God or a Super Being – from “Spirituality” – a state of mind of the human beings to genuinely feel connected with each other as equals. Spirituality is state of mind, thanks to a common shared belief in the same driving force that enables all of us. You and the Universe are integral in each other, inseparable, indivisible (Tat Thwam Asi) proclaims the Vedic Philosophy. Nature exists in harmony, self-governing and accommodating all species. Enabled by our mind, we see distinctions and differences that isolate us as individuals, families, nationalities, religious groups, political stripes, etc. Spirituality cuts across all these divisions, self-imposed or imposed on us by others around us. The spiritual mind truly promotes freedom that treats every individual as a drop of water in a body of water, without distinction and indivisible! It promotes peace within and harmony with all that surrounds us!
Without distinction, “being spiritual” and “being religious” may be treated as synonymous. For example, we find in the Pew Research report: “Spirituality is not declining. And in fact, it’s high; it’s stable,” said Penny Edgell, a sociologist at the University of Minnesota.
We address the distinction between religion and spirituality in our book: Spirituality in Practice – Exploration for peace and harmony within as well as collaboration and cohesiveness with all that surrounds us. Any analytical person, professional or scientist could be “Spiritual” searching for the driving forces of nature, without necessarily a faith or belief in a God, as ordained by any religion. Spirituality requires an objective outlook that looks beyond the bias created through race, religion, gender, wealth, etc.
Christianity as a religion and its following may have levelled off in the USA. The decline of followers of Christian religion may have stopped, as per the data in the Pew Research report. But it may be wrong to conclude that the decline of “Spirituality” has been slowed and has levelled off. Trumpism, MAGA movement, rise of extraordinary influence of a few rich like Elon Musk, merciless treatment of Federal employees – as laborers to be disposed off without regard for their personal dignity and as valuable service providers to the society, willingness to barter the safety of Ukrainians as a commodity for their mineral wealth, arbitrary proposals to emigrate Gazans from their homeland, …… are all evidence of a spiraling decline of “Spirituality”. Spirituality requires a mindset of inclusive of all and exclusive of none!
The tree supports a vine growing next to it. They both grow nurturing each other. It is the way of nature. To seek a pound of flesh from the weak and vulnerable is neither good religion nor spirtuality!
One cannot dismiss the sad display of raw power, while people around the world are left to starve as USAID programs are shut off without careful review and forethought, as the reckless act of a few rogue individuals who have reached their positions of power and influence. That does not speak highly of the prevailing “Spirituality” in our leaders or the nation as a whole.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has said federal workers “don’t deserve” their paychecks during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing. While politics requires evocative speech and divisive statements, such vicious attack on fellow human beings doing their job like any other professional does not speak highly of spirituality in display! The Congress woman and Federal workers are both engaged in the service of the Taxpayers! Missing such commonality across apparent and surface level differences is not Spirituality!
Prevalence of fake news, bullying, isolation and victimizing the vulnerable through social media does not speak highly of the “Spirituality” of the nation and its citizens. Obscene accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few, seeking to eviscerate aid programs and social safety net to save a few dollars to increase the tax cut for the wealthiest few does not speak of equality in mind and consideration for all, an essential for Spirituality.
Over 45% of US voters who vote for people who promote constant lying and abuse of election processes to retain their leadership roles do not reflect well on the role of religion or spirituality in the USA.
Above all, the silence of most of America, while witnessing the above counter-spiritual acts and paths would suggest that “Spirituality” in the USA might have declined to a low level, perhaps to less than 25% of US Population?
Spirituality In Practice 
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