The history of Christianity records periods of great enthusiasm, extreme hostility, and steadfast faithfulness. But I’m not sure there has ever been a period of profound apathy. If the researchers of our time have it correct, we may very well be in or near such a period in our society today.
Recently, USA Today reported on a modern upswing in spiritual apathy. The journalist, Cathy Lynn Grossman, examined responses to survey questions developed by various organizations, including Baylor University, LifeWay Research, Gallop, and Pew Forum. She also researched various blogs, and interviewed a number of experts in the field. The findings generally revealed that many Americans have adopted a “So what” attitude concerning any form of spirituality, not just Christianity. This does not translate to an increased number of atheists, just apathetic people.
I found a blog entitled Church of the Churchless (url below) where the blogger wrote on June 30, 2011, “…from my present churchless perspective I couldn't see any point to what the author [of a book he was about to throw away] had written about. As with my general reaction to religion now, I wasn't so much opposed to the book's theme as apathetic.” He goes on to list a number of “So whats”: So what if people have souls? So what if some mystic or sage is enlightened? So what if some god wants me to act in a certain way? He lists many others, ending each with a phrase similar to “I can’t know for sure. And there is nothing I can do about it.”
The USA Today article quotes one man who explained his position this way, “…we might as well be cars. That, to me, makes more sense than believing what you can’t see.” A woman in New York is not only apathetic, but resents being asked to explain or debate her view. The bottom line seems to be that we live in a society populated by a significant number of people who believe all claims to truth are equally valid. “Personal experience and personal authority matter most…Instead of followers of Jesus, they’re followers of 5,000 unseen ‘friends’ on Facebook or Twitter.”
The hard numbers revealed in this article are that 46% of those surveyed never wonder whether they will go to heaven. 44% don’t spend time seeking “eternal wisdom.” 18% don’t believe God has a purpose or plan for everyone. 28% don’t make finding a deeper purpose in life a major priority.
I must admit, I was not very surprised by the findings. The so-called Generation X, people born between 1965 and 1980, have been characterized as “independent, resourceful and self-sufficient,” valuing individual freedom, distaining authority, and disliking most forms of societal structure. They were the first generation to be nurtured on computers, feeling very comfortable with all sorts of new technology. They are tolerant of alternate lifestyles. They are ambitious to succeed, but only on their own terms. Drawing on their own experiences, they have faith in themselves and believe they can adapt to overcome all obstacles. Who needs God (or even “god”) if there is no absolute truth, if they can take care of all their problems themselves, if they can retain their personal freedom without submitting to any kind of higher authority? So what if there is a spiritual reality? If they can’t experience it themselves, there is nothing they can do about it.
I have a different world view. It revolves around the belief that the world is much too complex to be an accident. It recognizes the organized structure of the universe and the intricate design of the human being. And it acknowledges the existence of a spiritual realm that is experienced by all of us, but which cannot be explained by any dissection of the human body. So what? So, everything I think and feel exists in this realm! So, the only reason there is for living is the purpose that is derived from that part of me that is not capable of being examined under a microscope. That part of me that cannot be explained by the presence of flesh, blood and chemicals. So what?!
Spiritual apathy seems to be just another form of selfishness, or maybe laziness. It hurts to think about something they can’t see. It makes them uncomfortable to ponder something they can’t control. It irritates them to consider the existence of some power that has absolute authority over their destiny, believing their destiny somehow depends on their own will and actions. Well, just because they refuse to take it seriously, doesn’t mean they don't possess a spirit/soul, or that God doesn't exist and love them in spite of themselves.
Give me a raging atheist, or a devoted pagan, but save me from the apathetic. Give me someone who is able and willing to defend whatever it is they believe, but spare me the ignorant “So what?” of the apathetic. Give me a lively discourse with the errant religious soul, but keep me from the cold shoulder of the intellectually devoid apathetic. Life matters. It deserves more than a “So what?” dismissal.
I totally agree. Would much rather engage in lively conversation than have someone speak out of both sides of their mouth.
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