Views on spirituality shifting

In a country built on religion, faith is still the backbone of how society sees what can't be seen. But in a culture where yoga mats may soon outnumber Bibles, it's clear that views on spirituality are shifting.

In a Parade magazine poll released today, 24 percent of the respondents described themselves as "spiritual but not religious." Of those who did describe themselves as religious, only one-third said they partake in traditional worship -- church, temple and mosque.

"We have seen general longer-term trends away from institutional religion and toward personal a la carte faith," said Douglas Hicks, associate professor of leadership studies and religion at the University of Richmond and author of this year's "With God on All Sides." "One of the terms that people use to describe their own personal or individualized journey is spirituality."

Hicks added that even among the religious, people are feeling freer to roam, taking bits and pieces to create their own custom-made spiritual identity.

That idea was reinforced by the Rev. Jeanne Pupke of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Richmond, a former Roman Catholic nun who converted to Unitarianism years ago.

"I felt at sea and started exploring," she said, adding that her years as a sister taught her well when she was young, but she felt she "couldn't practice question-asking" as an adult.

Pupke said her church has grown significantly in the past three years, from a congregation of 435 to more than 600.

"In part, it's because we offer something different," she said. "Our church is a church of people's choosing -- non-creedal. More people are embracing a spiritual life and are not confident they can find it in traditional expressions."

A 2008 study from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found that while America is still largely religious, many simply don't want to choose a faith.

The study found that 78 percent of American adults were Christian, 1.7 percent were Jewish, less than 1 percent each for Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and others, and 16.1 percent were "unaffiliated." Of that number, 1.6 percent were atheist, 2.4 percent were agnostic and 12.1 percent "nothing in particular."

"The 'spiritual but not religious' category along with a whole bunch of other types that we call 'religious others' have been rising in recent decades, which along with religious diversity, complicates the religious landscape," Hicks said. "It's much more varied now."

Hicks said people are becoming more critical of the religions on which they were raised and more open-minded to others.

Joe Sadighian, a Richmond attorney, said he sees spirituality as less about religion and "more about the human spirit -- something that binds people but is abstract."

He said America is still a spiritual place but a changing one.

"I think that people here cling to their individuality and diversity and have their own self-created or cultural spiritualism," he said. "One of the strengths of this country is that we don't allow religion to interfere with government, and sometimes people can mistake that for a loss of spirituality."

Sabrina Recabarren, an undergraduate student at Virginia Commonwealth University, agreed.

"I don't think of spirituality as religion," she said. "Religion is more something you are born into. Spirituality is more about your soul and your own views."

Still, Hicks said most traditional religious institutions continue to thrive, offering a community and comfort.

"It's not as if religion is a static thing and people are leaving it," he said. "Faiths are also transforming themselves."

Churches and religious institutions have seen "relatively consistent participation" in recent years, he said, noting that on any given weekend, about 40 percent of Americans claim to be in their house of worship. Attendance rolls show slightly lower numbers, meaning people tend to over-report attendance.

"Some younger people tell me that they don't need to be part of a church in order to be spiritual," said Laura D. Inscoe, rector of St. John's Church in Richmond. But she said they are still looking for spirituality and a community.

Inscoe, the first female rector for the Episcopal church established in 1741, said attendance has remained consistent, noting that the doors are open to all. "God is in the searching, so the church is for believers and for those who seek help believing," she said. "At St. John's, there's more of a sense of people accompanying each other on a spiritual journey, than of trying to conform."

Of the 1,051 respondents to the Parade poll, 69 percent say they believe in God or some divinity while 5 percent did not and 7 percent said they weren't sure. Others believed in an unknown higher power, many gods, or that God is "only in our hearts."

Hicks said 69 percent seems low, adding that broader recent studies have shown 85 percent to 95 percent of Americans believe in God or some divinity.

Perhaps part of the disparity comes from the fact that the poll was conducted online, meaning younger people were more likely to participate than older Americans who have a more traditional view of spirituality.

Pupke agreed, saying that young people tend to see things differently.

"They don't want to move into a confining box," she said. "For some, it's a more philosophical look at how to become a better person."

The Parade poll also showed a significant number of respondents who worry that religion causes more problems than it solves, reporting that 59 percent of respondents said faith can help solve the world's problems while 41 percent said religion has too often led to war and suffering.

"That's a false dichotomy," Hicks said. "Both are true. Religion can help with fundamental social problems and too often it has been on the wrong side of history. It's not religion, yes or no? The better question is how do we shape a culture where religion is a positive force, and how do we build bridges across faiths."

Contact Wesley P. Hester at (804) 649-6976 or .