Spirituality in America

According to a New York Times article by Lauren Jackson, spirituality in America may be on the rise. The Pew Research Center found the share of United States adults who have a spiritual belief:

• People have a soul or spirit in addition to a physical body, 86%
• In God or a universal spirit, 83%
• There is something spiritual beyond the natural world in an afterlife, 70%
• One or more of the above, 92%

On the other hand, Christianity appears to be declining. In 2007, 78% of U.S. adults identified as Christian. By 2024, that figure had dropped to 63%. This phenomenon may be partially explained by a rise in the “nones,” those who are religiously unaffiliated. Pew Research reported in January 2024 that 28% of U.S. adults described themselves as atheists, agnostics, or “nothing in particular.”

Faith is a personal journey. I am writing this section from a Christian perspective. You may hold a different belief; please take what resonates with you and leave the rest behind.

Most of us are first introduced to religion—or the lack of it—by our parents. Some of us embrace the faith of our childhood, while others distance themselves from it. When I was young, I attended a “Church in the Wildwood,” the Lynn Grove Methodist Church that my grandfather oversaw, where my grandmother led the singing. As a high school student, I participated in the Methodist Youth Fellowship. My wife and I were married in a Methodist Church and raised our children as Methodists.

Midway through life, I began to question my Christian faith. My pastor recommended that I attend a weekend conference called Walk to Emmaus. Midway through life, I began to question my Christian faith. My pastor recommended that I attend a weekend conference called Walk to Emmaus.

There, I took communion with the instruction that when the bread was broken, I would throw half of the bread into a basket while asking forgiveness for my greatest sin. With a cocky swagger, I walked toward the altar, knowing I would throw pride in the basket but expecting nothing in return. As soon as I did, my arrogance melted. I felt surrounded by a warm blanket of love, joy, and peace.

Overwhelmed by the unexpected, I burst into tears with an indescribable feeling that I was in the presence of God. From this spiritual enshrouding, I felt the words, “John, don’t you know I have always been with you and always will be.”

Yes, what I “heard” was more like a feeling or an animation, perhaps similar to the thoughts that come to us when our mind is unoccupied, but this feeling or whatever you call it was much more powerful than a human thought, and it was much more distinct.

I saw an image of Christ and knew the words were from Jesus Christ. I don’t know how long I was surrounded by love, joy, and peace, but I cried tears of awe throughout the encounter. Since then, I have never doubted my faith.

This is the sad part. Though I am assured that Jesus will always be with me, I still find myself leading a self-centered life. I desire to follow God’s will, but worldly distractions often consume my thoughts. Stumbles and missteps mark my Christian Walk. After this marvelous encounter, why can’t I live a saint-like life?

Christianity is marked by love, especially nonjudgmental love. Nonjudgmental love brings joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Just as a mirror brightens when the sun shines, God grants us an abundant life because He loves us. Letting go of our selfish ways and surrendering to God’s will allows us to receive his love.

The core belief of a Christian is found in John 3:16-17: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

Christianity is a matter of belief: either we believe that Christ died for us, or we do not. The choice lies with each person. I have no intention of recruiting Christians. Instead, it is up to the Holy Spirit to work on the individual.

What happens to Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Gandhi, and good, honest, kind-hearted people who reject the love of Jesus? I have no idea. That is up to God: how inscrutable are His methods; how unsearchable are His ways. God knows, and only He can understand.

Christians are imperfect human beings striving to live a life of nonjudgmental love and service to others. They often fail in their efforts but aspire to become more like Jesus Christ because they believe in a good and gracious God.