Traditional Christianity Declines, Mysticism on the Rise

November 4, 2004

Source: The Times

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,7-1342587,00.html

On November 4, 2004 The Times reported, "Christianity will be eclipsed by spirituality in 30 years, startling new research predicts. Our correspondent reports on the collapse of traditional religion and the rise of mysticism... Study after study appears to prove that people are increasingly losing faith in the Church and the Bible and turning instead to mysticism in guises ranging from astrology to reiki and holistic healing. The Government, significantly, said this week that older people should be offered t’ai chi classes on the NHS to promote their physical and mental wellbeing. More and more people describe themselves as 'spiritual,' fewer as 'religious' and, as they do so, they are turning away from the Christian Church, with its rules and 'self last' philosophy, and looking inwards for the meaning of life. Twice as many people believe in a 'spirit force' within than they do an Almighty God without, while a recent survey hailed a revival of the Age of Aquarius after finding that two thirds of 18 to 24-year-olds had more belief in their horoscopes than in the Bible."