Yet Another Survey Shows ‘Nones’ Growth at Record Levels

[MADem]

6. They aren't the only country that does this sort of thing, either.

I found it rather odd, and like you, I was shocked when my German friend told me about it. It was news to him, too--he left Germany as a very young man right after The War and has only been back to visit.

I can't even begin to imagine the hue and cry if we ever had something like that in USA! `

They also have very different burial practices--to include re-using graves! They were having trouble doing this because the bodies were not decomposing as they should a while back:

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-s-tired-graveyards-a-rotten-way-to-go-a-527134.html

I agree about the concepts of flexibility and relevance, too--people are busy, and they don't have the time, never mind the patience to listen for an hour to get a lesson. As for the aspect of "community," a lot of people find their needs for that met on Facebook and social media sites like that. And people's days are so packed, with everyone having to work and no spare time to be found--sleeping in gets very attractive for some. I also think this is why the "self-help" industry has become so popular--some feel they can buy a book and do it themselves, on their own time! People do like a personalized experience, and if they can't relate, they'll stop attending. Of course, in countries where they take the money up front you'd probably want to be pretty sure you're committed to the experience....also, if people are broke, or need the money for necessities, I can see where that "bill" might become optional in their minds.