5 ms·

One field that I am not sure is being studied as much as it should be is the recent resurgence of American 'folk' belief. Things like astrology, witchcraft-but-

One field that I am not sure is being studied as much as it should be is the recent resurgence of American 'folk' belief. Things like astrology, witchcraft-but-not-actually-Wicca, and other similar traditions have become extremely popular, especially among younger people. I don't know that 'religion' as a whole is going away - I think it's more that the form of faith is changing. The survey even nods to this: > Most “nones” believe in God or another higher power. But very few go to religious services regularly. Does anyone know of any scholarly (or not) investigations into this?

footlose_3815 3y ago
I'm trying to find the sample size, and where the studies took place, but am having trouble pinning it down. I'm certain that unless the sampling was large, and spread-out, you'd get skewed results. My gut feeling is that "Or another power" is wrongly correlated in the conclusion, and it shouldn't have been part of the same statement or question. I know there's all kinds of higher powers than me, but I don't believe in a surveillance sky dad. There's real ones that are man-made.
- jfengel 3y ago
  The sample size is over 5,000 people -- more than sufficient if the selection methodology is good. They describe their selection methodology at length: https://www.pewresearch.org/methods/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/10/2023-NPORS-Methodology-Statement.pdf https://www.pewresearch.org/methods/wp-content/uploads/sites...
complianceowl 3y ago
You make a great point. Personally, I'm Christian. And I've seen a surge in interest within Christianity (online, at least) concerning many of those topics. Maybe not with the end in mind; Christians aren't trying to learn witchcraft to practice it, but stronger attention is now paid to the sections in the Bible that mention astrology, other types of beings, the spiritual realm, and alternate dimensions. Whatever your inclination, I recommend listening to Timothy Alberino and Michael Heiser.
- panarky 3y ago
  The article doesn't mention what might be the primary driver causing people to reject organized religion: increased exposure to people from different backgrounds. When a child is brought up in a devoutly religious family, where their entire world is populated by siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles, teachers, friends and acquaintances all with a similar belief system, it will be rare for that child to reject all of that. The child is like a fish that doesn't know what water is because it doesn't have an alternate point of reference. The child may never deeply interrogate their beliefs, or consider whether they should choose a different belief system. Its a rare culturally insulated child who will manage to seriously consider other belief systems, and even then they will find it incredibly difficult to switch, since that would sever many of their social connections and support systems. Generations of increasing urbanization mixed people of different backgrounds together. The internet and social media have only accelerated the mixing and exposure to a wide variety of cultures and beliefs. When a person understands, accepts and befriends others from different backgrounds, it can get pretty difficult to continue believing that the religion of your childhood is the one true religion.
colanderman 3y ago
Crystals, tarot, angels, and reiki have become practically the "default" non-religious belief in my (east coast US) social circle, particularly among women ages 18-60 not in tech fields. Often but not always mixed with bits of Christianity. (Myself and nearly all my tech friends are atheist-raised-Judeo-Christian.)
- bedobi 3y ago
  it's so disappointing otherwise sane people cling to that nonsense, I've seen first hand people reach for homeopathy and crystals over getting qualified physician advice (and suffering the consequences), it's sad
  - lif 3y ago
    They are avoiding potential iatrogenic consequences.
  - colanderman 3y ago
    I've never met anyone who has (openly) subscribed to homeopathy. And most use I've seen of energy methods is to treat the psyche, not physical illnesses. (Not that people don't -- it's just not something I've observed in the trend I noted.) Not too different from mainstream religions to be honest.

footlose_3815 3y ago

I'm trying to find the sample size, and where the studies took place, but am having trouble pinning it down. I'm certain that unless the sampling was large, and spread-out, you'd get skewed results. My gut feeling is that "Or another power" is wrongly correlated in the conclusion, and it shouldn't have been part of the same statement or question. I know there's all kinds of higher powers than me, but I don't believe in a surveillance sky dad. There's real ones that are man-made.

jfengel 3y ago
The sample size is over 5,000 people -- more than sufficient if the selection methodology is good. They describe their selection methodology at length: https://www.pewresearch.org/methods/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/10/2023-NPORS-Methodology-Statement.pdf https://www.pewresearch.org/methods/wp-content/uploads/sites...

complianceowl 3y ago

You make a great point. Personally, I'm Christian. And I've seen a surge in interest within Christianity (online, at least) concerning many of those topics. Maybe not with the end in mind; Christians aren't trying to learn witchcraft to practice it, but stronger attention is now paid to the sections in the Bible that mention astrology, other types of beings, the spiritual realm, and alternate dimensions. Whatever your inclination, I recommend listening to Timothy Alberino and Michael Heiser.

panarky 3y ago
The article doesn't mention what might be the primary driver causing people to reject organized religion: increased exposure to people from different backgrounds. When a child is brought up in a devoutly religious family, where their entire world is populated by siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles, teachers, friends and acquaintances all with a similar belief system, it will be rare for that child to reject all of that. The child is like a fish that doesn't know what water is because it doesn't have an alternate point of reference. The child may never deeply interrogate their beliefs, or consider whether they should choose a different belief system. Its a rare culturally insulated child who will manage to seriously consider other belief systems, and even then they will find it incredibly difficult to switch, since that would sever many of their social connections and support systems. Generations of increasing urbanization mixed people of different backgrounds together. The internet and social media have only accelerated the mixing and exposure to a wide variety of cultures and beliefs. When a person understands, accepts and befriends others from different backgrounds, it can get pretty difficult to continue believing that the religion of your childhood is the one true religion.

colanderman 3y ago

Crystals, tarot, angels, and reiki have become practically the "default" non-religious belief in my (east coast US) social circle, particularly among women ages 18-60 not in tech fields. Often but not always mixed with bits of Christianity. (Myself and nearly all my tech friends are atheist-raised-Judeo-Christian.)

bedobi 3y ago
it's so disappointing otherwise sane people cling to that nonsense, I've seen first hand people reach for homeopathy and crystals over getting qualified physician advice (and suffering the consequences), it's sad
- lif 3y ago
  They are avoiding potential iatrogenic consequences.
- colanderman 3y ago
  I've never met anyone who has (openly) subscribed to homeopathy. And most use I've seen of energy methods is to treat the psyche, not physical illnesses. (Not that people don't -- it's just not something I've observed in the trend I noted.) Not too different from mainstream religions to be honest.