Ask Americans what their religion is, and nearly 1 in 3 say this -- none. That’s according to the U.S. adults surveyed by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Mike Dulak grew up Catholic in Southern California, but by his teen years, he began skipping Mass and driving straight to the shore to play guitar, watch the waves and enjoy the beauty of the morning. “And it felt more spiritual than any time I set foot in a church,” he recalled.

Nothing has changed that view in the ensuing decades.

“Most religions are there to control people and get money from them,” said Dulak, now 76, of Rocheport, Missouri. He also cited sex abuse scandals in Catholic and Southern Baptist churches. “I can’t buy into that,” he said.

  • amanneedsamaid@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    61·
    9 months ago

    Buddhism was probably 10% the justification for nationalism that Shinto was in Japan, so that’s a pretty bad example.

    Also, using Buddhism to encourage nationalism ≠ Buddhisms fault

      • amanneedsamaid@sopuli.xyzEnglish
        2·
        9 months ago

        I would make the same argument, and say that radicalized religion is the issue, not religion itself.

        Most every religion becomes radicalized over time, but that doesnt define the inital religious teachings.

        So yeah, Christian nationalism ≠ Christianity’s fault.