There are so many more things to do on a Sunday now than before, so it's become less attractive to go to church as opposed to going to a game or shopping. He said as people get more educated, they are more skeptical and may thus steer toward less participation. Contrary to Greeley's opinion, however, he said that the rate of return since World War II has been low. Professor Johnson also expresses similar views that people are increasingly demanding the right to determine for themselves whether they want to be a member of a religious organization. The rise of spirituality as opposed to formal participation at a religious institution can explain the contradicting figures.
People still assert and seek their spirituality in their individual ways.
They're reaching out so that people can have their spiritual needs met without formally joining. About eight percent of the population in Oregon belong to new independent religious groups. However, according to Goldman, they do not get factored in to the rate of church attendance. Also, perhaps Oregonians are choosing individual forms of spirituality as opposed to guided spirituality through organized institutions. An overall increase in drop-out rate and a decrease in the return rate indicate a downward trend on national polls.