ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, April 18, 1997 TAG: 9704180083
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHARLOTTE, N.C.
SOURCE: KNIGHT-RIDDER/TRIBUNE
High interest in religious books and programs might show that many don't see a connection between worship and spirituality.
The latest survey of religious observance indicates a lot more Americans are sleeping in on Sundays: Attendance at houses of worship has slumped to its lowest level since before World War II.
The latest survey by the Gallup Organization reports that 38 percent of U.S. adults in 1996 said they had attended a church or synagogue within the past seven days. That's down from 43 percent in 1995. It is the lowest percentage since 1940, when an all-time low of 37 percent said they had attended a house of worship.
The high came in 1955 and 1958, when 49 percent said they had attended a weekly service.
William Lawrence, who teaches at Duke Divinity School in Durham, N.C., said the poll reflects the declining ability of mainstream churches to connect with young people. UNC-Charlotte religious studies chairman Jeff Meyer noted the public's growing interest in spiritual issues. More than 150 million books on religion were sold last year, for example.
But while people make time for religion in books and on television, Meyer said, many are too harried to see the connection between spirituality and worship.
``People's lives have become so hectic that Sundays turn out to be the one day of the week for relaxing a little bit,'' he said. ``Doing things quietly, not with people.'' In that spirit, he said, weekly worship ``is often looked at as an obligation at best.''
LENGTH: Short : 41 linesby CNB