________. _____. _____ ____ _____ __._______. ___._ _______

A few random tidbits this week: For starters, after climbing for decades, the percentage of religious “nones” in America has leveled out, The Conversation reports. Religious “nones” are those who identify as atheist, agnostic, or “nothing in particular.” For the past few years, the number of religious “nones” has stood at about 29%, according to a major study by Pew Research Center.

Conversely, from 2007 to 2019, the percentage of the U.S. population identifying as Christian fell 15 percentage points from 78% to 63%. However, over the past five years, the percentage has stayed steady between 62% and 64%. In addition, though down significantly since 2007, the share of Americans who say they pray daily has consistently held between 44% and 46% since 2021.

I’m not sure entirely what has caused this shift, but it does seem like members of Gen Z perhaps more than previous generations are ready to own their issues. Many recognize and readily admit they have a problem with being addicted to screens, for example. They’re looking for something more, having become increasingly disillusioned with what this world can offer. That attitude is at least on display in the revivals and prayer movements that have broken out on college campuses in the last couple of years.

Still, there is a big gap between the youngest Americans and the oldest Americans when it comes to faith. According to the latest Religious Life Survey, the youngest adults in the survey (ages 18 to 24) are less likely than today’s oldest adults (ages 74 and older) to: – Identify as Christian (46% vs. 80%) – Pray daily (27% vs. 58%) – Say they attend religious services at least monthly (25% vs. 49%) Time will tell which way these trends go.

-I also wanted to share a few April holidays with you. For one, April is Stress Awareness Month. This one made me smile a bit at the irony, as I have had a decent amount of stress getting the paper out this week.

A survey by the American Psychological Association found that the five factors most often cited as a source of stress were money, work, family, economic outlook, and relationships. No shocker there. A recent survey also found that about two-thirds of U.S. workers report engaging in behavior such as drinking or crying regularly in order to deal with stress.

Although we all experience stress on some level and it’s to some extent an inevitable part of life, there are healthy and unhealthy ways of dealing with it. Plus, unchecked stress over time will eventually catch up with a person, whether in the form of insomnia, headaches, getting sick easier, or even bigger issues like heart disease. So, make sure you have a healthy outlet for your stress, whether it’s exercise, listening to music, journaling, or talking to a loved one. Don’t bottle it all inside.

Consider: How much of our lives do we eat up by worry, wasting precious time and energy that we could have used elsewhere? Try to remember the oft-quoted 5-by-5 rule: “If something won't matter in 5 years, don't waste more than 5 minutes worrying about it.” It’s easier said than done, but the principle is wise.

- Speaking of releasing stress in less than healthy ways, April is also Emotional Overeating Awareness Month. Emotional overeating is an eating disorder where a person uses food to deal with negative emotions such as anger and sadness, getting an abrupt compulsion to eat whenever they are confronted by such feelings (according to NationalToday.com).

While it may not rise to the level of an eating disorder, we can all be inclined to turn to food for comfort or as a coping mechanism, instead of dealing with the issue at hand or choosing a more healthy way. Research shows that about 40% of people tend to eat more when stressed. And when we reach for a comfort food, it’s typically not the healthy carrot sticks or apple slices; it’s something high-calorie and with a high sugar or salt content.

The good news is that the road to change starts with simply being honest with yourself about why you’re turning to food in that moment.

“A lot of emotional overeating starts as an unconscious habit. By simply paying attention to what is going on with yourself and the people in your home, you can help reduce overeating occurrences,” an article for NationalToday states.

- April is also Child Abuse Awareness Month. First recognized by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, the observance aims to bring this deeply troubling issue to the forefront. One out of seven children in the U.S. has experienced physical and/or sexual abuse. And there are many more cases that go unreported. According to ChildProtect.org: – For every incident of child abuse or neglect that’s reported, an estimated two incidents go unreported.

– Ninety percent of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way; 68% are abused by a family member.

The statistics are sobering and saddening. They are a reminder for those who work with children (and everyone!) that “If you see something, say something.” If you suspect abuse, report it to the proper authorities. The statistics also remind us that many times children are carrying a heavy, unseen burden from verbal abuse they’ve had hurled at them at home, or worse. There could be a deeper reason they are acting out. Perhaps they are starved for any positive attention from their parents or guardians. Everyone has a story with some painful points in it, and remembering that can help us be more empathetic.

It’s also important to teach children what is and is not appropriate behavior, and to encourage them to speak up if they have been mistreated or sexually abused, reminding them that it’s never their fault and nothing justifies that kind of behavior.

Every child should have a safe and secure childhood.

More information is available at ChildProtect.org.

________ . ___ ___

_______. ___._ ____ ______ __