One explanation of the "spiritual but not religious" trend

By Cynthia Woolever

Polls show that 15 to 30 percent of the population do not identify with any particular religious group, but still say they are "religious." What is behind this unaffiliated identification? Philip Goldberg offers a possible explanation when he describes how religion serves five basic functions for individuals and society:

• Transmission: gives each generation a sense of identity through shared customs, rituals, stories, and historical continuity.
• Translation: helps individuals interpret life events, gives a sense of meaning and purpose, and helps them understand their relationship to the larger whole.
• Transaction: creates and sustains healthy communities and provides guidelines for moral and ethical behavior.
• Transformation: fosters maturation and ongoing growth, helps people become more fulfilled and complete.
• Transcendence:satisfies the longing to expand the perceived boundaries of the self, become more aware of the sacred aspects of life, and experience union with the ultimate ground of Being.

Goldberg goes on to argue that when people think about religion, and especially organized religion, they focus primarily on the first three functions—transmission, translation, and transaction. He believes that religious communities (congregations) have historically emphasized these first three areas as well. He believes the lack of emphasis on transformation and transcendence forces people to look elsewhere for personal growth and spiritual experiences. (To read Philip Goldberg's essay, click here).

Is Goldberg onto something? Two results from the U.S. Congregational Life Survey support his claims. Only one in three worshipers report they have grown in their faith in the past year through participation in the activities of their congregation. This finding relates to the area of transformation and suggests that most worshipers are not experiencing transformation through their congregation.

A second finding relates to transcendence. Only one in four worshipers say they "always" or "usually" experience awe during worship services. This finding suggests transcendence is also relatively rare.

In what ways could faith communities do more to provide opportunities for people to experience transformation and transcendence?

Comments

[Bobbie McGarey]

This morning, May 13,2010 on Good Morning America they introduced a segment saying. The Three Spiritual Superstars are here today to talk about their new book. The three are,"Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson, and Debbie Ford".
I found it an interesting comment on the source of 'Spirituality' for many folk.