Freedom from Religion Trending in America

Religion is becoming less important in American culture according to results from the Pew Research Center's 2014 Religious Landscape Study ("Christianity Faces Sharp Decline as Americans Are Becoming Even Less Affiliated with Religion," The Washington Post, May 12, 2015). The number of people who identified themselves in some way as Christian decreased from 78% in 2007 to 71% in 2014. Catholics and mainline Protestants both saw a dip of about 3% in their ranks during that same period.

Review selected hard copy/online library books related to the religion and spirituality at LSC-CyFair Branch Library. Click the title of a listed item, select the "Request" button in the listing, and enter your library card number and PIN for each title you want to reserve for pick up at the library.

Use these subject words and phrases to find more in the library catalog:

• Christianity United States
• families religious United States
• interfaith United States
• philosophy and religion
• religion United States
• spiritual life
• spirituality

American Christianity: The Continuing Revolution by Stephen Cox
University of Texas Press, 2014.
call number: 277.3 Cox

". . . An objective look at what impacts religious affiliations among the American people, Cox's candid demeanor invites the reader into the discussion. . .a comprehensive social study of the way Christian Americans have worshiped and will do so in the future. . . Both religious and sociological scholars will be impressed with the thoroughness of Cox's research, and lay readers will be drawn in by his open, conversational writing. A fascinating, pleasurable read." - Library Journal review excerpt

Living with a Wild God: A Nonbeliever's Search for the Truth about Everything by Barbara Ehrenreich
New York: Twelve, 2014.
call number: 215 Ehr

"Ehrenreich's work is engaging and invites-no, demands that its readers question the world around them and everything they believe about it. The author's rational approach to researching "religious experiences" similar to her own, her mission to find an answer to: "Why are we here?" is profoundly relatable to those who have asked similar questions, who have wondered at humanity's purpose, and who have probed at the presence of the Other. Part memoir, part mystical journey, this is essential for anyone with an interest in religious studies, contemporary history, or memoir and biography." - Library Journal review excerpt

Being Both: Embracing Two Religions in One Interfaith Family by Susan Katz Miller
Beacon Press, 2013.
call number: 306.843 Mil

"This positive, hopeful book studies an increasingly common choice of American families-the adoption of the faith practices of both parents rather than the choosing of one. Freelance journalist Miller provides an overview of the movement in which interfaith couples raise their children with both religions. . . Miller's narrative moves beyond the personal as she shares the findings of surveys and interviews she conducted with more than 250 interfaith parents and children. Although most of the stories focus on Jewish and Christian couples, she frequently refers to other faiths, even including pagan and atheist partners in the mix. Miller sees Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist interfaith couples as "the next wave" and devotes a chapter to exploring the spiritual integration of such families." - Library Journal review excerpt