The Empty Pew: Why Americans Are Abandoning the Churches

Why have as many as 100 million American Christians left the churches? This book offers suggestions for the decline. The Empty Pew examines the crisis of faith in institutional Christianity in America at a time of unparalleled social unrest not seen since the Great Depression and World War II. It deals with both the recent sexual and financial scandals involving Roman Catholic and Protestant clergy, various schisms within the churches, the culture wars, the so-called politics of God, as well as faith under fire at a time when atheism is gaining adherents and respectability. For all these and other impediments, the author believes some of the largest losses may be attributed to unchristian behavior which many have experienced within local congregations-particularly those which promote themselves as being "caring and sharing" churches.