As Americans seemingly place less and less importance on religion in their lives, the Pew Research Center revealed a survey of the top reasons they go to church, along with reasons they do not, CNN reported Sunday.
Among the most important reasons Americans attend a church service at least once a month, according to the Pew poll (respondents could give more than one reason, so the percentages below are how many deem it "very important"):
1. To become closer to God. (81 percent)
2. So their children will have a moral foundation. (69 percent)
3. To become a better person. (68 percent)
4. For comfort in times of trouble or sorrow. (66 percent)
5. They find the sermons valuable. (59 percent)
6. To be part of a faith community. (57 percent)
7. To continue their family's religious traditions. (37 percent)
8. They feel obligated to go. (31 percent)
9. To meet new people or socialize. (19 percent)
10. To please their family, spouse or partner. (16 percent)
As for the reasons they skip regular services, according to CNN's citing the poll (again, they could give more than one answer):
1. They practice their faith in "other ways." (37 percent)
2. They are not believers. (28 percent)
3. No reason is "very important." (26 percent)
4. They haven't found a house of worship they like. (23 [percent)
5. They don't like the sermons. (18 percent)
6. They don't feel welcome. (14 percent)
7. They don't have the time. (12 percent)
8. Poor health or mobility. (9 percent)
9. No house of worship in their area. (7 percent)
"American pastors, imams, and rabbis have spent endless amounts of time trying to cater to millennials' tastes, or at least what they perceive to be millennials' tastes: Coffee bars; hip young clergy; mission trips to exotic locales," CNN religion editor Daniel Burke wrote.
"But this study suggests that there is an underserved group of believers who seem like they'd actually like to go to religious services – if only someone could help get them there and welcome them when they arrive."
The Pew Research Center poll surveyed 4,729 Americans last Dec. 4-18 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.3 percentage points.
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