According to numerous research and surveys, we are in a period of what is often called "the great disestablishment." The percentage of people who claim no religion has risen considerably. In a Pew survey conducted in 34 different countries during 2012-2014, they found that for the first time in human history one fifth of the world’s population is religiously unaffiliated (Pew Research Center, October 1, 2015). There have been similar reports from other respected institutions such as the Barna Group and PIPO Research (2017).

Sometimes the shrinking of traditional Christian faith is described as being “lost at sea,” “drifting away” or experiencing “desertification.” These metaphors evoke feelings of helplessness, perhaps even hopelessness. However, it would be a strategic error to respond with fear. Yes, there's a threat; but threats also create opportunities.

In this essay, I propose some answers to the question, Why are people losing their religion and how can the church respond? I believe that we must not be afraid, but wise, in order to understand the underlying reasons for the current situation. Understanding these factors can help us develop better strategies for addressing them and reaching out to those who have left their former faith behind, or have never had one—also known as "nones."

I suggest four general factors which may provide an explanation for today's religious decline: human skepticism, institutional problems within church structures, challenges posed by postmodernism and the information revolution. It's important to note, however, that these categories overlap, and individual experience does not often fit neatly into only one category.

Factor One: Human Skepticism

The euphoria of absolute knowledge, once purportedly given through divine revelation, has dissolved in the face of reason and scientific inquiry. Many people don't find the gap between the claims made on behalf of Christianity and the reality of their daily lives easy to bridge.

There's an inherent human capacity for asking why things are as they are, while remaining unsatisfied with unverifiable or mythological responses. The rise of science, and the undeniably transformative impact of scientific discoveries upon every area of human life, has created its own momentum. This development allows for a natural, self-correcting, continually progressing body of knowledge. Millions see scientific advances as having more explanatory power than ancient scriptures. While of course individuals may differ wildly, in aggregate, the advance of secularity mirrors a turn towards increased trust in the powers of human reason and the empirical process.

Moreover, people are aware that modern history has been riddled with cases of misused power and corruption within ecclesiastical organizations, which discredits religious teachings in the eyes of many. As Nelson Mandela poignantly noted, "If the Church were the moral compass of humanity…we should never have encountered the horrors of the Crusades, the Inquisition, apartheid or any other manifestation of racial or political tyranny.”

The conclusion appears to be drawn by many that if the Church cannot clean up its act, then it is unlikely to have anything exclusive or unique to offer a questioning public.

So what can the Church do about this?

  • Create a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the institution, eliminating all forms of manipulation, abuse, and cover-ups.
  • Emphasize and cultivate the moral and intellectual dimension of Christian faith. Teach critical thinking, encourage ongoing questioning, and avoid triteness. Communicate nuance. Make the spiritual path an adventure of learning, not a parrot's repetition of clichés.
  • Foster intellectual curiosity and embrace an appropriately humble stance about how much of reality remains veiled or unexplored even for believers.
  • Make use of social media and smart technologies to open more channels to meaningful conversations across time zones.

Factor Two: Institutional Problems Within Church Structures

Many religions have had success organizing communities both spiritually and socially over centuries. However, a common criticism of organized religion is its perceived tendency to become rigid, hierarchal and insulated, and, thus, less effective and less appealing in reaching the lost. A rigid structure may leave little space for new ideas or voices. The result is that bureaucracies can stifle prophetic impulses, making congregants feel that change is too difficult to manage, so they disengage.

Some groups attempt to address this by promoting a more fluid and flexible model of organization. Examples include the Emerging Church Movement or, as of late, Organic Churches. The idea is to create a space where the freedom of the Holy Spirit is taken seriously, allowing for leadership to emerge naturally among community members. Themes of authenticity and inclusivity show through, attempting to better meet the needs of the digital natives and other seekers.

Responding to these concerns:

  • Encourage local churches to experiment with alternative models and choose structures best suited to connect with specific communities.
  • Empower laity with equal authority alongside clergy. Share the workload more equally, as well as the responsibility. This can potentially foster a sense of ownership, rather than being objects of religious management.
  • Keep updating the Church's internal systems to match society's innovations in technology and leadership paradigms.

Factor Three: Postmodern Challenge

For many people, the outdated, simplistic biblical narratives appear to lack credibility in today's complex multicultural context. They may view the Bible as a relic of another age that was shaped by ethnic biases, ignorance, and agendas. Faced with an ever more diverse tapestry of cultures and beliefs, a monolithic perspective presents as narrow-minded. Moreover, a growing number of people see moral choices as relative and situational, leading them to question the notion of an absolute moral code.

Addressing this:

  • Cultivate cross-cultural sensitivity in the Church. Recognize and honor the diversity of human voices. Appreciate that God may use different metaphors or narratives to communicate truth to various cultures.
  • Encourage creativity in preaching and teaching. To connect with a wider range of perspectives, paraphrase scriptures instead of slavish literalism.
  • Recognize the truth in postmodern arguments that there are indeed multiple ways to interpret reality and that it's right to hold diverse beliefs. Avoid dogmatism in doctrine and practice. Explore the mysteries of life and faith with gentle humility.

Factor Four: Information Revolution

With the mass availability of all the world’s recorded knowledge at a click, believers and seekers alike may find religion less compelling in the face of vast accumulations of human wisdom. This provides opporrtunities for personal exploration and questioning, empowering people to dive deep into any subject, regardless of whether that subject is sanctioned by certain religious ideologies. Some may also contend that faith needs no defense, and more information would lead to the refinement of belief rather than its decay.

Yet there's a flip side to this argument. Informational glut can raise questions where there used to be none. Scientific findings can challenge traditional narratives. In the most optimistic scenarios this provides a platform for deeper, richer dialogue. But the Church might lose its relevance if it doesn't adapt and engage the information era with creativity, openness, and intelligence.

As response:

  • Use new platforms to present a compelling message. Engage the online space meaningfully with smart technologies, podcasting, and video series.
  • Support and endorse serious study and research into any question one might have regarding religious topics. The willingness to engage tough questions openly builds rather than erodes confidence.

Conclusion

In summary, people appear to be 'losing their religion' for several interrelated reasons. Skepticism, institutional rigidity, the complexity of a globalized, multicultural context, and the abundance of information all play a part.

However, the crisis shouldn't be seen as a mere disaster. With renewed vision and radical commitment to core values of Jesus Christ, the Church can respond to the cultural moment in innovative ways that may breathe fresh life into its mission. In these times of great disestablishment, let us recognize both the threat and opportunity and thus take on new modes of being the church, in ways relevant to our contemporary world.