Abstract
Where have they gone? Where are they going? This research looks at “Mainline Decline” in the United States as it is occurring in the Lutheran tradition. For about 60 years, moderate forms of Christianity have been steadily decreasing in affiliation and participation, while more people have moved toward the poles of extremist religion or irreligion. Lost Lutherans bases its analyses on long-term statistics from Mainline Christianity and Lutheranism to track trends. The research also includes a series of interviews and follow-up interviews with former Lutherans to illustrate the decline. From the statistics, several surprising implications were found, which defy some of the typical explanations for decline. From the interviews, a typology emerged that connects exit dynamics with the perspectives and attitudes of those who have left their religious tradition. The trends and typologies inform current frameworks of decline, but also advance the discourse with updated data, new findings, and the refinement of current theories of decline. This research also addresses popular theories of decline, such as athletics and liturgical change, and their connections (or lack thereof) to ongoing change.
Presenters
Christopher SuehrAdjunct Faculty, Religious Studies, Gettysburg College, Pennsylvania, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Religious Community and Socialization
KEYWORDS
Christianity, North America, Lutheranism, Mainline Decline, Secularization, Irreligion
