There's a holy shift moment happening in the country, Carly Mallenbaum writes. - Why it matters: U.S. adults are moving away from organized religion, while simultaneously embracing spirituality.
By the numbers: Nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults call themselves spiritual, according to Pew Research Center's latest survey of more than 35,000 Americans.  The fine print: 86% of U.S. adults believe people have a soul or spirit, Pew finds.
- 83% believe in God or a universal spirit.
- And 79% believe in something beyond the natural world.
Case in point: We asked Finish Line readers to explain what spirituality means to them, and they delivered. - Although responses came from people across different cities and towns, generations and religious upbringings, many of their ideas of spirituality fit into three major buckets.
 Spirituality is tied to nature.
- "The way monarchs cocoon and hatch, flying thousands of miles with feather-like wings. The unconditional love of a trusted canine companion. I see acts of something bigger than ourselves," says Rich Collins, who's from Chocorua, N.H., and has identified as Catholic and agnostic over the years.
- "We use phrases like 'communing with nature' for a reason," says Deb Grant from Houston. "I believe we are seeking some connection with any gracious presence."
2.  Spirituality is found in kindness. - "I believe in kindness and being present, listening more than talking, being there for others and remaining positive — especially when things go sideways," says Jim English of Milton, Mass., who was raised Roman Catholic.
- "The essence of spirituality is love," says Cole Blankenship, who lives in Reno, Nev., and has studied Buddhism and Christianity.
- "For me, spirituality is to learn to be a better human," says Hoshang Varshney from San Jose, Calif., who's "an atheist and Hindu by birth."
3.  Spirituality is believing in something bigger. - "I call it the Great Cosmic Awareness," says Cheryl McBride of Hamburg, N.Y., who hasn't practiced Catholicism in 50 years but still believes "there is something 'out there' that is way above my pay grade."
- "Spirituality allows space for mystery," says the Rev. Lottie MacAulay Friedman, an ordained minister in Bellevue, Wash.
- "It means believing there is something far beyond these tangible bodies and limited perceptions," says Barbara Morgan of Covington, Ga.
The bottom line: Although people are less religious — Penny Edgell, sociology professor at the University of Minnesota, says — "the need for tradition, ritual and things that feel more sacred has increased" in our stressful and efficiency-focused, modern lives. |
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