AP-NORC Poll: Americans rarely seek guidance from clergy

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

AP-NORC Poll: Americans rarely seek guidance from clergy

By JEFF KAROUB
July 8, 2019

DETROIT (AP) — Timothy Buchanan says he never consults clergy about important decisions, but it’s not for lack of faith: He regularly attends a nondenominational Christian church near his home.

Buchanan, 41, is not alone. A large majority of Americans make important decisions without calling on religious leaders for advice, according to a new survey released Monday by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research . The poll finds three-quarters of American adults rarely or never consult a clergy member or religious leader, while only about a quarter do so at least some of the time.

“The church we go to is quite large, and we’re relatively new there,” said Buchanan, who lives with his wife in Bolivia, North Carolina. “We really haven’t established a relationship with a minister there. Going to larger churches, it’s nearly impossible now to get a relationship with a clergyman or woman.”

The lack of personal connection with ministers even includes people who identify with a specific religious faith, though those who are most engaged with their faith are more likely to have relationships with clergy.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/8c8727e06c1a4e81a4b74ff556f49781

[keithbvadu2]

1. Big money preachers do not want to associate with their flock. Just their flock's donations.

Big money preachers do not want to associate with their flock.

Just their flock's donations.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&channel=tus&q=evangelicals+not+fly+with+demons

[Act_of_Reparation]

2. Not at all what the numbers indicate.

As per the norm, participation among Evangelicals remains more or less constant. It's participation among Catholics and mainline Protestants that's on the decline.