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How the churches are responding

Religious leaders, experts discuss the future of religion

Last year, Pew reported that the number of religiously unaffiliated increased to just under 20 percent of the American population. While this group is not affiliated with any organized religion, two-thirds of the religiously unaffiliated still believe in God and one-third agree that religion is important to their lives.



On April 16, Project 573 invited religious leaders and academics from Columbia, Mo. to the Reynolds Journalism Institute to discuss the context behind and response to the increase in the number of religious unaffiliated. The participants were prompted with the question: "What do you think is the future of organized religion?" The following videos are part of a single, continuous conversation among these leaders. Nothing has been moved or excluded from the full, hour-long conversation.



The round table discussion included:

Dr. Azam Khaja Operating Council Chairperson of The Islamic Center of Central Missouri
Trista Soendker-Nicholson Pastor at Missouri United Methodist Church
Herb Hayek Pastor at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Dr. Larry Brown Assistant Professor of Geography at the University of Missouri & former pastor of 30 years 

Jeanne Snodgrass Director of MU Hillel, Jewish Campus Center
Tony Lakey President of MU Skeptics, Atheists, Skeptical Humanists and Agnostics
Tim Carson Pastor at Broadway Christian Church





by Jian Chung, Lee

Segment 1: The context behind the trend

Our guests discuss the how religious affiliation is not decreasing, but instead returning to the historical baseline. They also discuss the reasons why people continue to affiliate with religious institutions.

Segment 2: Political affiliation and the need for a sacred space

Our guests discuss the relationship between religion and politics and the continuous need to create a space to connect with a higher power.

Segment 3: Technology and social media

Our guests discuss how technology and social media has failed to provide the substantive connections that churches, synagogues, mosques and other religious institutions traditionally provide.

Segment 4: The “us vs. them” mentality and reclaiming intellectual curiosity

Our guests discuss the contentious split between religious affiliation and disaffiliation as well as how different faiths need to encourage the pursuit of knowledge.

Segment 5: The social issues debate

Our guests discuss how the debate on social issues, such as homosexuality and same-sex marriage, contributes to the increase in religiously unaffiliated.

Segment 6: Cultural and religious diversity

Our guests discuss how religious institutions adapt to cultural change and how these institutions influence culture.

Segment 7: Universal religious values

Our guests discuss how religious institutions need to accept diversity, while emphasizing the universal values all religions share.

Segment 8: Building connections

Our guests discuss how religious institutions need to empower the younger generation and localize their spiritual message.

Segment 9: Supporting spiritual development

Our guests discuss how religious institutions need to support, but not dictate, each person’s spiritual development.

Moderator: Elizabeth Pierson, Studio Manager: Travis McMillen, Camera and Floor Manager: Eric Staszczak

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