Religiosity in Modern America: Growing or Declining?

Religiosity in Modern America: Growing or Declining?

Religion is an incredibly broad and vague social issue all over the world. In fact, religion in the United States can be even more so. In America religion carries many dimensions from frequency of worship to role of faith in important life choices. Examining religion as a social institution who contribute self-conception of one's own religious piety is one of the least complicated ways to measure religiosity. The definition of both religion and decline are critical in order to effectively measure modern America's current state of religious belief. Several factors such as industrialization, avenues of participation, and differing aspects that tend to inspire religious sentiment must be explored. Current Americans have not become more secular, but maintain the same amount of religiosity.

Modernity due to technological advances and bureaucratization is not hostile to religious belief. According to the Gallup polls, "Ninety percent of Americans believe in a higher power"(Presser). This evidence, which has not drastically changed proves a high amount of religious belief. This statistic can be held as far more absolute then any other means of measurement. Believing in a higher power other than ones self and government proves belief in some form of the supernatural and distinguishes religiosity.

Also, "fifty-five percent of Americans attend religious service at least once a month compared to forty percent in Canada"(Inglehart). This information is vital to understanding that religious belief in America has not declined. Many scholars have believed that availing conditions of modern living would lead to lower levels of belief. Urbanization, Industrialization, advances in science, and Bureaucratization was all expected to lead to secularization. However, when compared to other industrialized democracies, such as Canada, the United States leads in religious convictions.

Decline in religious participation within the United States alone does not entail lower amounts of belief in Americans. As stated by political scientist Robert Putnam, "Virtually every type of civic engagement has declined in the last third of the 20th century: voting, attending political and club meetings, belonging to unions, playing sports and working on community projects, etc"(Putnam). This argument displays the importance of definitions like religion and decline. Since every civic activity has fallen, it would be biased and unfair to claim that religiosity and personal piety have declined simply because participation has also. To further my argument, "While some Americans church participation has declined, new forms of religious participation have increased"(Chaves). Again the definitions of religion and decline are crucial to understanding this data. Just because religion participation in America alone has decline, in no way can one determine if Americans are less religious. Both churches offering religion classes and participation in prayer are said to be at higher levels than before. Speaking with God alone instead of going to church can not undermine a person's level of religious belief in America.

Different factors will always inspire religious sentiment. Life is complicated and people will always strive to find understanding and identification with religion. As stated in a survey by the sociology professor at the University of Arizona, Mark Chaves, "Under conditions of modern living Americans feel less in control"(Chaves), which is completely logical. There are questions in life that will most likely never be answered. This leads people to seek out religion and certain beliefs. In the end, religiosity may not have all the answers, but helps to provide some understanding and comfort in a hectic world. Chaves also noted that moral dilemmas, deep and unexplained suffering still confuse us. To accompany these deep issues, Chaves described, "Religion is important to group boundaries, collective identity, and serves as an identity maker"(Chaves). This statement is not meant to say that religion secularizes