Changing expectations
Researcher Brad Waggoner told Grossman, "There's no simple answer why people are so restless." Decades ago, he noted, American culture supported church loyalty out of respect for the church, obligation to family, or social expectations. Now, he says, that culture has shifted. Waggoner also sees other factors at work, such as increased skepticism or cynicism in the wake of clergy sexual abuse or financial scandals. And some are turned off by divisiveness in denominations over doctrine and practice, he says -- such as the Episcopal church's acceptance of cross-dressing clergy.