Hello,

Regular readers of this space will notice that I've spent more time than usual discussing the machinations of the denomination I serve. Sorry for all the inside baseball. For the sake of variety, and because I have a genuine question I'd like to ask of you, I write this letter.

A USA Today/Gallup poll in January 2002 showed that while 50% consider themselves religious, down from 54% in 1999, about 33% consider themselves "spiritual but not religious," and that figure is up from 30%. About 10% regard themselves as neither spiritual nor religious.

At the same time, most mainline denominations in this country (Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, and so on) are losing members by the thousands each year. And as I shared in a recent sermon on this space, everyone has a theory as to why that is.

Our denomination recently took an action that was intended, I believe, to help keep together people of diverse viewpoints on various issues, especially the issue of ordaining gay and lesbian persons to leadership in the church. Whether yesterday's action will actually have that effect or not is an issue for another time. Here's what I'm interested in and what I'd like your thoughts on:

During the debate and in countless other venues, I have heard a number of people say variations on this: "In this complex world, we need to speak with clarity about the important moral issues of the day. We are losing people because we refuse to stand by the truth of scripture."

My question to you, as people who are spiritual but not religious:
Is that true?
Is your lack of interest or involvement in organized religion because we have not spoken our convictions with a clear, unambiguous voice?

And if it is not true, would you be willing to share the reason(s) why you have not felt drawn to be part of a religious community or practice?

Variations on this question: If you used to be a part of a religion and are no more, why did you stop? Or if you've recently come into or returned to a religious community, what brought you there?

Those of you who've been around these parts for a while know that I'm not going to turn your answers back on you for the purposes of proselytizing. I really, honestly want to know.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts. And if anyone knows others who might have a story to tell on this matter, I encourage you to invite them over. I'm aware that readers of this blog are not necessarily representative of the population in general, but I'm still interested in hearing what you have to say.

My churchy regulars are welcome to chime in with actual stories and anecdata, but I encourage us all to avoid conjecture and pet theories.

I post this with some trepidation, because there are lots of people out there who are hostile toward religion for a variety of reasons. I invite thoughtful discussion here and plead with us all not to turn this into a space for ad hominem attacks. I am one pilgrim on the journey of life, asking other pilgrims for their thoughts.

Thank you!
RM