Religion
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Abstract
Magazine discussion of religious topics has sunk during the past decade to the lowest relative amount of the present century. As during previous recent decades, this decrease was due to declines in discussion of traditional and institutional phases, while ethical-and spiritual-life phases increased. The number of adult church members per 1,000 of adult population was nearly three million smaller in 1940 than ten years earlier. The two world-wars and other factors have brought a crisis in missions. Formation of a World Council of Churches and reunion of Methodists illustrate a trend toward mergers. The depression brought an eightfold increase in discussion of Christian ethics, and the onset of hostilities produced extensive discussion of "War and Christianity," with increasing church effort toward a just and enduring peace. While the general public still believes in a personal God and in life after death, such beliefs have been rapidly subsiding among scientists. Beliefs of ministers and attitudes expressed in hymns have shown a marked liberal trend.