Two observations. The description of spirituality without formal affiliation has existed in other forms for a long time. Those of us who were Scouts remember #12 of the Scout Law. A Scout is Reverent. They have religious medals that can be earned by performing what each denomination requires, much like a merit badge. But no affiliation is also acceptable. Reverence in some form is required.
The trends in spirituality parcelled out over each faith tradition over 25 years has to be taken in the context of shifts in membership during that interval. The Evangelicals may be more spiritual now because the ones who were less spiritual became their sources of attrition. Much like WB Yeats' observation as Irish Revolutionaries were sorting themselves out in his era. "The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity."
Two observations. The description of spirituality without formal affiliation has existed in other forms for a long time. Those of us who were Scouts remember #12 of the Scout Law. A Scout is Reverent. They have religious medals that can be earned by performing what each denomination requires, much like a merit badge. But no affiliation is also acceptable. Reverence in some form is required.
The trends in spirituality parcelled out over each faith tradition over 25 years has to be taken in the context of shifts in membership during that interval. The Evangelicals may be more spiritual now because the ones who were less spiritual became their sources of attrition. Much like WB Yeats' observation as Irish Revolutionaries were sorting themselves out in his era. "The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity."