However, the third, and most crucial, point of the ARIS study comes from the data showing how other Christian and non-Christian groups are emerging in the maternity ward even as mainline Protestantism lies dying on the gurney. Less-structured, more-localized and individualistic forms of Christianity have been growing for years. In fact, a number of those who classified themselves as having no religious affiliation (“None”) actually claim to be Christian but with no organizational affiliation. These people simply claim to be “followers of Jesus.” They may attend a church for worship here, another church for Bible study there, and a third church for children's activities on the other side of town. They do not see themselves as institutional Christians; therefore, they say they have no religious affiliation (“None”).
Moreover, in one of my radio interviews this week, “Charles,” the show's host, embodied the growing number of Americans who fall into the Home Depot Do-it-yourself category of no religious affiliation. They characterize the large “None” category. Charles was angry to be classified as a “None.” He said, “ I have faith; I just have no religious affiliation. My faith is my own and I am passionate about it. It is my relationship with God, and I don't need anyone else to tell me what or how to believe.”
Many of these “None” individuals pick and choose the parts of various faiths they find meaningful. They essentially mix in a selection of their own likes to create a faith concoction to help them hang on (to paraphrase Jimmy Buffett). They may utilize Christan prayer, Wiccan walks in the park, Hindu polytheism, a little Buddhist meditation, and even some Muslim attire, while saying “I have no religion other than myself.” This category of “Nones” has exploded. It is not atheists who are on the rise in America; on the contrary, it is the individual spirit who does it his own way. That is an important distinction to see.
It is not faith that is being rejected at all. Rather, it is anyone's definition of faith other than my own. “You have yours; I'll have mine,” seems to be the mantra of a growing group of the citizenry.
What to make of all this religious diversity and pluralism if one, like me, is a Christian? Very simple: I remind my Christian brothers and sisters that the Christian movement has usually thrived most when it has been a minority in a hostile environment. Such hostility seems to purify our reason for existence. At its heart, Christianity is a counter-cultural movement. Jesus inverts the world's values completely. “Sell all that you have, give it to the poor, and come, follow me.” “Practice your acts of piety in private not to be seen by others and praised by them.” “Turn the other cheek.” “Love your neighbor as yourself.” “The Word became flesh and dwelled among us, full of grace and truth.”
These are the core statement of a group who sees itself not as fully belonging to this world or its ways. Too often, in America, Christ-followers have forgotten that and concerned themselves with survey data and political victories in Washington. At the end of the day, the Church will be just fine; after all, she belongs to God.