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http://washington.cbslocal.com/2012/10/09/study-one-third-of-adults-under-30-have-no-religious-affiliation/>>
>>....and the number is increasing rapidly. Certainly no surprise to me.
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>I just saw a number of 20% a day or two ago. Here we go --
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>
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2012/10/09/non_religious_americans_now_one_fifth_of_the_population_according_to_pew_survey_.html>
>This is probably one of those questions people do not always answer truthfully when polled. IAC, whatever the true number is, we started as and remain a predominantly Christian nation. My personal position is that although I am not religious, I do not disrespect anyone's religious beliefs. I know many people whose faith gives them guidance and strength. What's wrong with that?
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>Faith is the beautiful part of it to me -- believing in something you can't prove. I have spent a fair amount of time in Catholic churches although I am not one myself. My ex-wife is Catholic and we were married in a Catholic ceremony. We met with the priest beforehand and I said I am not a believer, is that a problem? He said no, we get that a lot here. (It was a university chapel). He did have one big condition -- we get the kids. Tricia actually had to sign a document to that effect. Both our daughters were raised Catholic. Baptized, many many masses, Catholic school, the whole shebang. So in my capacity as a parent of Catholic children, never trying to undermine it, I went to lots of masses. My favorite phrase in mass was "Let us celebrate the mystery of faith."
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>Who knows? It is not something I am actively considering. It's also true that my favorite writer, Graham Greene, converted to Catholicism when he was no longer a young man. (Supposedly for a woman, which sounds exactly like him). A couple of his best known novels wrestle directly with matters of religion and faith. My other favorite writer, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, wrestled with the same things.
Hi Mike
my parents where mixed faith as well (mother Irish catholic father English C of E) and he had to agree we where brought up as Catholics. I regard my catholic upbringing as a fine inoculation against organised religion.I think I've mentioned before the last two people to hit me where a nun (with a 3ft wooden stick) and a teacher.The catholic churches failure to address the child abuse endemic in its structure for decades is shocking, also the treatment of unwed mothers in Ireland and the opposition to contraception and abortion. Irelands abortion laws are still something from the dark ages (though I'm sure many republicans would find them very acceptable).
