Does it matter ?

A USA Today article, October Nine, 2012 speaks of Rebecca Cardone, who grew up as a Methodist in Texas and is president of the student body at California Lutheran University. "But don't call her Protestant or even Christian", the article says she is one of the new "Nones" – atheists, agnostics, and folks who like her,  believe in "nothing in particular."

"I like the ambiguity of going without a label" she says. "I prefer to stress the importance of acting with compassion rather than choosing a predetermined system of beliefs." Those who believe "nothing in particular" are now number two in the USA, 19.6% and climbing.

Research by the Pew Forum says the increase of "Nones" is among men and women, those who do and don't have a college education, upper and lower income and urban and rural areas. 32% of the Millennials identify themselves as believing "nothing in particular."

The question we Christians face, and I believe the "None" demographic needs to address is, does it matter? Thomas Oord, Nazarene theologian, asks some questions. "Does the relative lack of religious affiliation by Millennials mean their views on same-sex marriage and the environment have not been properly nurtured by religious communities? To ask this question a slightly different way, the Millennials think more like Baby Boomers if they showed up for worship services more often?"

Or he says, "Should we think religious communities have not adapted well to the ethical convictions of Millenials? Could the views of Millennials represent a new form of authentic religiosity the congregations should be embracing?"

Doesn't matter what we believe? Or is ambiguity good enough? If so why does it matter? What is problematic about benevolent ambiguity? These are questions we must be addressing and I believe if we are to be evangelistic into the next generation, these are questions we must naggingly interject into our societal consciousness.

I am at the point of puzzling over this. Think about it!  What do you think? Why does it matter?