Sociologists have generally concluded that people who are very religiously active tend to be less engaged with the secular world, opting to stay sequestered in their faith communities. But in a comprehensive survey, the Pew Research Center found that the 40 percent of Americans who are religiously active are more engaged in all kinds of community organizations and activities than their non-religious neighbors.

The findings are fascinating. And, as a “religious American”, I’ll admit, somewhat surprising. While 40% of surveyed Americans are most active in “churches or religious organizations”, apparently these folks don’t live their lives hiding behind their stained glass windows. Of this 40%, 35% are also involved in sports or recreation leagues, 34% in charitable or volunteer organizations and 30% in community groups or neighborhood associations, each for at least two hours a week. Their involvement ranges from two to three times that of their non-religious neighbors!

What’s even more surprising are religious Americans internet, e-mail, cell phone and broadband use, which outnumbers that of others. Religious and non-religious groups tie in their use of text messaging, while the religious folks are outnumbered in social networking usage.

Lastly, when religious folks are part of groups, they’re all in: 41% are heavily engaged, compared to non-religious citizens’ 28%.

I can certainly see this at work in the congregation I serve. There are folks I have the privilege of knowing that are crazy busy doing all kinds of great things not only at church but in their neighborhoods, too. It’s incredible. They offer not a what, but a how, as Caputo states:

When love calls for action, we had better be ready with something more than a well-formed proposition even if it has been approved by a council. We had better be ready with a deed, not a what but a how, ready to respond and do the truth, to make it happen here and now, for love and justice are required now. (On Religion, 130)

It makes me wonder – especially in light of these findings – why we continue to reuse the old and outdated “sacred versus secular” dialogue. In fact, to clarify, most of us don’t speak this language anymore. Even the seminary I attend(ed) doesn’t! Why does this study!?

I’m also thinking of Gianni Vattimo, who argues that Christianity actually announces the end of the sacred! That’s another post for another day, though.

(From another perspective, I’d love to hear Robert D. Putnam, author of Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, Better Together: Restoring the American Community and American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us, comment on this research).