JAMAICANS ARE believed to be ardent church goers in an island with more churches per square mile than any other country around the globe, but this perception seems to be waning rapidly, according to a recent Gleaner-commissioned poll.
Pollster Bill Johnson and his team of researchers interviewed 1,008 persons, across 84 communities in 14 parishes and found that 52 per cent of those polled attend church once in a while, compared with 28 per cent who visit the sanctuary on a regular basis. Another 18 per cent stay away from the house of God, while two per cent are uncertain about their attendance. The margin of error is plus or minus three per cent.
However, 20 per cent of the respondents do not attend church because of time constraints and work, while 12 per cent say that religion does not appeal to them.
Among those interviewed, 19 per cent have a particular interest in learning the word of God, while a similar per cent visit church to socialise and communicate with people. Seventeen per cent find fulfilment in worshipping and praising God. However, poll results also show that 12 per cent of respondents say that the sermon ranks first on their priority list of what they like most about going to church. Fifty-two per cent of those interviewed were male.
Rector of St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church, Canon Ernle Gordon says people's idea of the word of God is no longer preaching but entertainment. "What the poll is saying is a serious indictment against theological depth. With the troubles we are having in the world now, we cannot allow religious teaching to become just amusement and entertainment, we are in trouble," Canon Gordon argued.
The greater emphasis on other aspects of church life outside of preaching is the result of a generational shift, said acting president of the Jamaica Theological Seminary, Dameon Black. "When I was growing up, the Church was built along the excellence of preaching. So, there is a shift today towards more of a focus on worship and praise and the socialising aspect," he explained.
When Bill Johnson asked what were some of the things that Jamaicans liked least about going to church, 15 per cent of those polled said people criticise and 'suss' each other and 10 per cent are of the view that church goers do not practise what they preach and are hypocrites.
Another four per cent believe the sermon or service is too long and boring.
Other issues that turn people away from the Church, according to the poll, are the perception of corruption within the organisation and the perception that church is primarily a business.
