God Without Religion

For me, God is a definite. This whole religion thing can get really questionable. Well, apparently, I'm not alone. According to this post on PR Web this week, many Americans are seeking "connection to God without religion."

At least that's what author Sankara Saranam wants us to think. He's publishing a book "about establishing a personal relationship with God, unhindered by dogma, creed, or ritual."

Is religion gaining ground in America, or are people simply looking harder for answers? Religion and spirituality books are selling strongly, while the number of Americans not identified with a religion is rising. It appears that more and more people are seeking God on their own rather than through established belief systems.

Good questions. The book is "God Without Religion: Questioning Centuries of Accepted Truths." This one might have to go on my summer reading list.

More interesting stuff from the press release:

At last week’s BookExpo America in New York City, religion titles dominated, continuing the growth trend that showed a 17 percent gain in religious book sales in 2004 to reach a staggering $3.8 billion. On the other hand, according to a survey by the Institute for Jewish and Community Research in San Francisco, the number of Americans with no organized religious affiliation has doubled over the last decade. In fact, 16 percent of the population—more than 47,000,000 Americans—has no religious affiliation at all. What lies behind the seeming dichotomy that religion titles are booming while increasing numbers of people renounce organized religion?

Are Americans turning their backs on churches and heading to the bookstores for their spiritual growth?