The study also found that "Americans without affiliation comprise the only religious group growing in all 50 states." "In 2008 those claiming no religion rose to 15 percent nationwide, with a maximum in Vermont at 34 percent," the study says. The study concludes that religion in these societies might one day disappear.
Consider what that means:
Someone stops you on the street or calls to ask you to complete a one-question survey: "What is your religious affiliation?" Your options are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, etc. What if you don't fit in any of those boxes? What if your faith or beliefs put you outside the "religion" box? Wouldn't you select the "no affiliation" option?
Many Messianics are already outside the "Christian" and "Jewish" boxes without any possibility that the other traditional major religions would apply. One of two things appears to be happening, and we don't have enough information to know precisely which:
Either people are becoming entirely secular without any faith or belief...
OR
The faith people have does not fit standard definitions or boxes.
If it is the former, then I say, "Good. This may be the end of days, and the great apostasy is beginning."
If it is the latter, then I say, "Good. May the faith G-d desires for us not be reduced to any of the common, single-word labels."
Whichever it may be, may G-d be praised for the work He is doing in the lives of His people.
Here is what G-d desires:
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (James 1:27)
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