kmarshall7799-blog

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“The latest number is in keeping with a trend line for Christianity in the U.S. that has pointed sharply downward over the past 10 years. Christians make up 65% of the adult population, according to Pew, down from 76% at the start of the decade. Regular church attendance has taken a similar dive.”

https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/americans-religious-affiliation-has-declined-over-the-last-decade/

It has been a downward trend line when it comes to the amount of people who affiliate themselves with a religion, perform religious practices, or consider religion important to them. Religion seems to be something that more and more people have been putting behind them or to the side and focusing on something else. Many people still pray but no longer read the Bible or attend Church gatherings. If they do, it is typically for a special event including Easter or Christmas services. 

My parents put me through Christian school from preschool up until eighth grade. At this point in my life, I was attending a church service once to twice weekly, depending on if my family also went to church on Sunday. I have always been religious and still am. Unfortunately though, myself and my family began to fall into the category of those who irregularly attend Sunday Church services or read the Bible on a daily basis. We get distracted with sports and other activities throughout my highschool career, so we did not typically have time or was in town to attend a Sunday Church service. 

However, my family and I still pray every night before dinner and on our own. We are still Christians and practice when we can; we just do not attend Church regularly. Conversely, the quote above explains that the percentage of Christians in the United States has declined from 76% at the beginning of the decade to 65% currently. This ongoing trend is aligned with what we have learned in class this semester. 

As discussed in class, although the United States does not have a designated religion, the overwhelmingly popular religion is Christianity. Christianity has been on the decline for many years now. Part of this may be due to atheism being on the rise. Although atheists only encompass 4% of the United States, religious “nones” are those who do not identify with any specific religion, and make up 15-20% of the United States population. Additionally, according to the article “nearly 10 percent more adults today say they are part of no religious group — from 17 percent in 2010 to 26 percent today”. This explicitly explains that the percentage of adults who identify as religious nones is increasing year by year. The world is changing drastically day by day and new ideas are on people's radar. For this reason, there are many other beliefs and religions that have sprouted. For example, cafeteria religion is a religion that takes parts of different religions to make their own world view. Because of this, many people are converting to other religions which is decreasing the amount of Christians in the United States. 

All in all, this quote relates to class because we have learned that religion is becoming less and less popular and the atheists and religious nones are increasing in popularity. This causes Christianity and other popular religions to decline in numbers as the years go on. This quote intrigued me because I am Christian and I can relate to the fact that more and more people are not attending Church services. However, I am still religious and perform religious practices on a weekly basis. 

Word Count: 531

Works Cited:

DeSanctis, Alexandra. “Americans' Religious Affiliation Has Declined over the Last Decade.” National Review, National Review, 19 Dec. 2019, www.nationalreview.com/corner/americans-religious-affiliation-has-declined-over-the-last-decade/.

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Over the course of history, we have seen significant events and United States laws that are influenced by the Bible and religion. For example, the most important law that includes religion is the first amendment of the Constitution that states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” There are many other laws that revolve around religion and Bible or are influenced by them in some way. Religion and the Bible are incorporated into many aspects of our everyday life in America including the phrase “Under God” being on the US dollar and in our Pledge of Allegiance. 

There are many interesting statistics in the image above regarding the percentages of different groups of people that think the Bible should have more influence on U.S. laws. When considering all adults in America, it is pretty evenly split down the middle where 49% of adults think the Bible should have more influence and 50% of people think it should not. Furthermore, more than 50% of Christians, Catholics, and all groups of Protestants believe that the Bible should have more of an influence in the U.S laws where a small percentage say it should not. 

Conversely, groups such as atheists and agnostics are the complete opposite. Between 4 and 8 percent say the Bible should have more influence and over 90% for both groups say it should not. This is not surprising at all considering atheists and agnostics do not believe in a God or higher power. As we have learned in class, Madalyn Murray O’Hair was the face of the atheist community and movement. Although she had a horrible personality and shunned theists, she had a huge contribution to US laws regarding religion. This is noted in her Murray vs Curlett case in 1960 which resulted in prohibiting Bible reading and religion in school. Due to this court case, it is not required to read the Bible, pray, or practice religion in public schools. However, other court cases and the first amendment express that there is no limitation to freely practicing your religion in a public space or school. 

The depiction above, is exactly what I would have expected for every category. Due to the Bible and religion being a huge aspect of my life, I believe the Bible should have an influence on US laws in America. This is because the Bible does not only pertain to religious people, rather it has a great deal of information about morals and ethics that are useful for anyone and everyone. For example, the 10 commandments include commandments that every human should abide by, not just religious people. Some may include “Thou shall not kill” and “Thou shall not steal”. These are commandments that are essential to every American regardless of your beliefs. For the simple reason that there is information in the Bible that pertains to all humans, I believe the Bible should have influence on the laws in America. The image above related to class material because we have learned many different laws in America that have been influenced by the Bible and religion. 

Word Count: 523

Works Cited: 

Lipka, Michael. “Half of Americans Say Bible Should Influence U.S. Laws, Including 28% Who Favor It over the Will of the People.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 13 Apr. 2020, www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/04/13/half-of-americans-say-bible-should-influence-u-s-laws-including-28-who-favor-it-over-the-will-of-the-people/.

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As we are approaching our presidential election this upcoming fall, there are many statistics predicting who will be our new President, what is affecting the voting rates, and how religion impacts the election. There are many studies done and statistics found during the presidential election. This graph above, is a study that is conducted in order to determine the percentage of United States adults who determine how religious each democratic candidate is. Republican candidates are not included in this study. Furthermore, there is also not a specific religion that is identified for any candidate. This study is simply to determine which candidate is more religious than the other. 

It is clear that Joe Biden takes the lead in being most religious in comparison to the other candidates. Following Biden is Elizabeth Warren, then Bernie Sanders, and lastly Pete Buttgieg. When analyzing Joe Biden, 9% claim he is very religious, 46% claim he is somewhat religious, 28% say he is not too religious, and 11% say he is not religious at all. Out of all the candidates, Joe Biden is the only one that people thought he was more religious than not. Conversely, when analyzing the other candidates, Elizabeth Warren was about half and half, and more voters voted Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg to be not so religious, then somewhat religious. 

Additionally, It is interesting to me to analyze the studies that are done to determine how religious each candidate is because many times their religious views go hand in hand with the way they would govern the United States. Typically democrats favor minority, social equality, and religious secularism. When analyzing what we have learned in class, we have discovered that to be religious does not mean you vote one way or the other. There is always diversity between different religious groups and they all have different views on politics. However, religion plays a huge role in politics and the laws that are in place.

 As previously learned in class, the Unites States does not have an established religion. Therefore, all candidates have different views on religion and its role in society and politics. When analyzing the religious groups we have gone over in class, the Jewish religion tends to be liberal, the evangelical community tend to be republican, the amish typically do not vote, the muslim religion tend to vote democrat but their moral values supports conservative, and Jehovah’s witness do not vote. It is clear that all religions have a different take on politics. 

Finally, this study was fascinating to me because I have never compared or analyzed each candidate and determined how religious they are. Although this study does not include both parties of the election, it is still intriguing to get an idea of who United States adults believe is more religious than another. I am not big on politics or getting involved, but I am definitely religious and agree that it is important to have a President and country that combine religion and politics into one. All in all, this study taught me more about each Democratic candidate and how religious the United States adults see them to be. 

Word Count: 524

Works Cited: 

Lipka, Michael. “Most Americans Don't See Democratic Candidates as Very Religious.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 27 Feb. 2020, www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/02/27/most-americans-dont-see-democratic-candidates-as-very-religious/.

[kmarshall7799-blog]

This image and statistic caught my eye right when I saw it on Pew Research Center for a couple reasons. First, the title was appealing, and I was intrigued to see which people came to mind to most Americans in comparison to what we have learned in class. Second, I was intrigued to see the statistics as to who Americans thought of when they were given a religion. After analyzing each religion and the people who are associated with each, each person listed is familiar to me. This is mostly due to what we have learned in class along with my own knowledge of religion as a whole. 

In class, we have not particularly gone over Buddhism, so not all the names resonate with me, however Buddha being number one does not surprise me. In regards to the others, the statistics are exactly what I would expect based off of what we have learned in class and my own knowledge. According to the statistics, the Pope is the first person that comes to mind when one thinks about Catholicism. Although we have not dove deep into this religion in particular, the Pope is a significant figure in the Catholic community as a whole. 

Next, Muhammad is the first figure that comes to mind when one thinks about Islamic religion. This also, is exactly what I would expect due to him being the founder of Islam and a prophet in the Islamic religion. Judaism is centered around Jesus being the divine King and therefore, he was the first person people thought of when they thought of Judaism. In class, we dove deep into the Evangelical community and religion and who they looked up too. Billy Graham was a well known Evangelical figure and baptist minister and he was the first person Americans thought of when they thought about Evangelical protestantism. 

Finally, atheism is on the rise in America today, and it simply is a religion with no God or higher power. In class, we discussed Madalyn Murray O’Hair and her significance to the Atheist community. She was the face of the Atheist movement and was included in many court cases that ended in laws that we have today. However, she was not the first person people thought of surprisingly. Instead, many people said the first person they thought of was a family member, themselves, or an acquaintance. This is really interesting to me, however it is not surprising since there is no God or higher power in the Atheist community or ‘religion’. 

This image and statistic does not personally impact my life, but I found it really interesting to see who American people think of when they consider a particular religion. Every statistic is exactly what I would expect, however the atheist statistic surprised me. It is extremely relevant to our class due to the fact that we have discussed many of the religions in this survey and even some of the figures that people thought about. All of the information and statistics in the survey follow along with the information that we have learned in class. 

Word Count: 516

Works Cited: 

Sandstrom, Aleksandra, and Becka A. Alper. “When Americans Think about a Specific Religion, Here Are Some of the First People Who Come to Mind.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 17 Mar. 2020, www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/03/17/when-americans-think-about-a-specific-religion-here-are-some-of-the-first-people-who-come-to-mind/.

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Religious “nones” – especially self-described atheists and agnostics – are less likely than those who identify with a religion to say they have prayed for an end to the outbreak, though 36% of those who describe their religion as “nothing in particular” say they have prayed about the virus.

https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2020/03/30/most-americans-say-coronavirus-outbreak-has-impacted-their-lives/

The number of people in the United States who identify themselves as “nones” or “atheist” has been increasing as the years continue. Atheists currently encompass four percent of the United States today and typically are young, white, highly educated men. Whereas nones encompass about 15-20% of the United States today and typically include young college graduates. Nones and atheists are those who are without a God or do not affiliate with any religion. 

Interestingly enough, during a time of deep crisis in our world, those same people are beginning to pray for an end to the outbreak. This quote specifically interested me because of the statistics for those who do not necessarily believe in a God, yet they pray when they are in need. As we all know, people from all around the world are being severely impacted by the coronavirus outbreak in ways many could never have imagined. Being involved in social media, I have personally seen more and more people posting about trusting in the Lord in a time like this than ever before. I am Christian, so I pray everyday to the Lord whether we are in a pandemic or not. I specifically have been praying to the Lord more than usual due to the crisis that the world is in. However, those who are not Christian or who consider their religion “nothing in particular” typically only pray when they need something or there has been a significant event in their life. To me, this has always been an interesting idea. I have always wondered what or who those who do not identify themselves with a religion are praying or talking to up above. Do those who pray but do not identify with a religion, get their prayers answered? 

As we have learned in class, there is a religion called cafeteria religion. This religion takes bits and pieces from numerous religions to make their own general world view. They are also known as “Freethinkers”. I would assume those who identify as cafeteria religion still pray to whomever they believe is in higher power. Conversely, according to the quote above, 36% of religious nones have prayed about the virus but do not identify with a religion or a God. In a time of need throughout the entire world, more and more people begin to pray and look to their God for help and answers even if they do not typically identify with one. As previously mentioned, nones are those who are not a part of anything religious and they are without a God. So, it is intriguing to see these people praying in a time of desperate need and answers. 

All in all, many people in this world are being significantly affected by the coronavirus outbreak and many are resorting to God or whomever they believe in for answers. It is uplifting to see more and more people turn to the Lord and create a relationship with him, even if it is due to the world turning upside down. 

Word Count: 501

Works Cited:

“Most Americans Say Coronavirus Outbreak Has Impacted Their Lives.” Pew Research Center's Social & Demographic Trends Project, 7 Apr. 2020, www.pewsocialtrends.org/2020/03/30/most-americans-say-coronavirus-outbreak-has-impacted-their-lives/.

[kmarshall7799-blog]

Every single day, there is new information and statistics about the coronavirus and the impact it is making on people's lives. People’s financial security, home life, job security, and physical bodies have been affected in numerous ways due to this horrific virus. The world has been flipped upside down and people are in need of help. Communities from all over the globe have been affected by this virus and are facing the impact head on. 

As we have learned in class, since early history, the Amish community has been known to be secluded from the outside world and they have their own set of rules and way of life. The Amish are Christians that mainly reside in Pennsylvania, although that is not their only residence. They do not conform to the outside world and have a strict and simple way of life. They are famous for their dune buggy and horse carriage and their word of mouth communication style. Furthermore, the Amish do not have hospitalization insurance however accepting modern medicine varies family to family. Many wonder how the Amish are being updated about the coronavirus and the plan of action in place. They are being notified by those not in the community however their form of communication throughout the community is typically word of mouth which is not extremely effective in all cases. Additionally, as many know, the Amish community typically work within their community as craftsmen and artisans. Some work at a local supermarket but not always. Due to the social distancing order in place, their way of bringing money into their families became impacted severely. Additionally, according to the article, “Amish people do not apply for federal unemployment benefits” because it is against their “faith and commitment to the government”. Thankfully, local churches, leaders, and community noticed the impact the Amish were having to face and mobilized the communities households by providing them the job of crafting together face masks, shields, and other high demand medical supplies. 

Additionally, “Amish leaders are aware that the coronavirus poses a threat to their deeply communal way of life” but how they will go about altering these traditions is the issue. The public health officials of Ohio recommended to pause all gatherings or events that require more than 10 people. However, not long after there was a post-funeral meal gathering around a home with over 100 attendees. Social distancing was in place as there are typically over 400 people who attend these events. It is clear that the Amish community is greatly impacted by the coronavirus and the rules in place to eliminate the spread. 

I personally got the chance to visit a Amish home and community in Pennsylvania when I was in eighth grade. They were extremely welcoming to my class and followed the typical stereotype that people portray on them: the women do the cooking and the cleaning while the men work outside, they only ride a dune buggy or horse carriage when they need to travel, and the children worked from a very young age and only went to school till eighth grade. It was a humbling and eye opening experience. To see everything that they used be handmade gave me a deeper perspective on what we take for granted. 

Word Count: 542

Works Cited: 

Williamson, Elizabeth. “In Ohio, the Amish Take On the Coronavirus.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 9 Apr. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/04/09/us/politics/amish-coronavirus-ohio.html.