May 1
Loving the “Nones”
I don’t make decisions the way you do! Men judge by outward appearance, but I look at a man’s thoughts and intentions. ––1 Samuel 16:7, TLB
Generations Z (born 1997-2012) and Alpha (2013-2025) are increasingly unaffiliated when it comes to religion. In fact, the Pew Research Center estimates that by 2070, the “nones” (those who answer “none” when asked about religious background or affiliation) will comprise more than half of all American adults.
Never before in our nation’s history have the religiously unaffiliated eclipsed the number of those who claim Christianity as their religion of choice. The thing is, a lot of folks who claim “none” when it comes to religion don’t realize that everyone has a religious worldview. Whether it’s atheism, agnosticism, or any other non-Christian belief system, it is still just that: a belief system.
For God’s man we see “none-ism” everywhere we look. Another word for today’s spiritual climate is syncretism, which is the combination of different forms of belief or practice. When a pop star talks about how they pray backstage before a show, to whom—or what—are they praying? When a friend says they are Christian but they think the resurrection is simply part of “the Jesus myth,” how do we respond? When a co-worker tells us they are reading a book by a Christian author who believes all faiths lead to heaven, what do we think?
Our response to those who are a bit “off” spiritually should mimic Jesus’ words and actions: We both model and speak the truth in love. Jesus was loved by the masses (read: sinners who knew they needed a Savior) and hated by the elites (prideful hypocrites who rejected the Savior) because He did not play spiritual favorites. He saw the hearts of people—beyond their actions. We need to do the same.
Rather than judging that neighbor for inviting you to a New Age seminar, why not pivot and instead invite them to lunch? As the “Nones” increase in our culture, so should the compassion in our hearts. Compassion trumps judgment, and Jesus’ love trumps the world’s false beliefs. See the person, man of God, beyond any wrong-headed beliefs.
Lord, help me love those who don’t love You the way I think they should. Help me speak the truth in love rather than judgment, just as Jesus did.
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https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2022/09/13/modeling-the-future-of-religion-in-america/
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The island of misfit toys. Is there mercy for the socially anxiety afflicted? My sense from the body of believers is come as you are but you are anathema if you’re not being social.
Ed, it sounds like your social anxiety really inhibits you from thriving. May I suggest you seek out a counselor to help you with this. Your insurance probably covers it.
As the Jews had done after witnessing the miracle of parting of the Red Sea, after being fed with bread from Heaven called manna. After being fed meat from quail till they literally gagged. After witnessing first hand the miracles and are God’s chosen people, they too turned their back and followed false gods. Only when things went so far south for them did they lift their voices to God and He saved them time and time again. Sad that we gain our boost in faith only after a tragic event occurs and we quickly forget. Parable of Jesus talking about the seeds being tossed and some landing on rocks, some in weeds, and some in fertile ground rings today like it did over 2000 years ago.