As the survey itself indicates, most who have changed their religious affiliation have done so within Christianity, changing from one denomination to another.

The percentage may be even greater among people who are commonly known as “progressive” Christians. My experience as a lecturer in all regions of the United States suggests this. Most of my audiences are progressive Christians (or they wouldn’t come to hear me). I often ask my audiences, “How many of you are in the same denomination that you grew up in?” The average: 40 percent. Over half – around 60 percent - have changed their denominational affiliation.

I think this is healthy. It suggests that many people have moved beyond their socialization within a particular form of Christianity to a thoughtful (and sometimes agonizing) re-assessment of what it means to be Christian.

And I suspect that most of these have moved from a more conventional and conservative form of Christianity to a more progressive form. This is encouraging.

The Question: Which "ism" is more entrenched in America, sexism or racism? Which should religion address?

Both racism and sexism continue to be present in the United States, though in different ways.

To begin with sexism, sexist language is more culturally acceptable than racist language. An example from the presidential primary campaign: a man (I believe in South Carolina) asked John McCain, “What are we going to do about 'the bitch’?” As I recall, McCain did not challenge his use of the word. If a questioner had used the “n-word,” it is hard to imagine that any candidate would have let that go unchallenged. In New Hampshire, Hillary Clinton was heckled, “Iron my shirts.” Again, it is hard to imagine a racial stereotype being used in public in a similar way.

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