Oprah's segments, for example, often are rooted in traditional Christian ideas but branch beyond organized religious boundaries, touching the sacred and devotional and focusing on self-understanding. It's the sense of finding the sacred, even if the sacred is within the self. Freedom of choice With each generation since the baby boom, adults feel more free to abandon the religion they were raised on. Some choose other religions, but many adopt religious ideas as they see fit, perhaps picking a little Buddhism to go with their Sunday Mass and their mid-week yoga, experts say. Today, people realize not only is there a choice to be or not to be religious, but if you're religious, what religion to be.
Some people choose based on doctrine.
Others decide based on whose worship service they prefer. Some factor in location and other services offered. Still others consider political leanings or something as specific as a denomination's stance on abortion. This freedom creates people who are difficult to categorize, experts say. It's like a spiritual salad bar where people can pick and choose their religious practices.