So, why this sudden jump in youthful disaffection from organized religion? The surprising answer, according to a mounting body of evidence, is politics. Very few of these new 'nones' actually call themselves atheists, and many have rather conventional beliefs about God and theology. But they have been alienated from organized religion by its increasingly conservative politics.The thing that looks like a cloudy lining in this bar of silver is the fact that those who are leaving churches aren't self-identifying as atheists. So, when their parents' church (or one very like it) figures out how to market itself better to lure them back, they'll be susceptible.
I wonder if the Unitarian Universalists see an opportunity here to reach out to those younger folks who have vestigial religious beliefs and may miss the sense of community and fellowship that can come from attending church (when the other folks in the church aren't malevolent wingnuts)? As an atheist, my first preference would be to see an increase in Moveon.org meet-ups to meet that demand. Conviviality and progressive activism: win-win! However, the UUs also have progressive social action committees (here in Raleigh, for example) so if there's hunger for justice in those that have left a church because of the despicable politics, there is an alternative people who were raised in a church might feel more comfortable with.
