But there is a bigger question to address-how reflective is Rice's experience of others in the church?

According to a multi-year study conducted by the Barna Group, Rice is not alone. She shares a spiritual profile with nearly 60 million other adults nationwide who identified their current faith allegiance as being different to that of their childhood.

The most common type of spiritual shift was from those who were Christian or Catholic in childhood to those who currently reported being atheist, agnostic or of some other faith. In total, this group of "ex-Christians" represents about one out of every eight adults (12%).

The most common reasons cited for moving away from Christianity included life experiences, such as gaining new knowledge or education; feeling disillusioned with church and religion; feeling the church was hypocritical; having negative experiences in churches; being in disagreement with Christianity about specific issues such as homosexuality, abortion or birth control; and feeling the church is too authoritarian.

One-third of those who experienced a significant faith shift did so in their 20s, and another one-third did so before age 20. In total, two-thirds of people who had a major change to their faith experienced that outcome before the age of 30 (68%).

"It is difficult for many faith leaders to fully relate to the spiritual lives of people who struggle with their faith, particularly those who are younger," said David Kinnaman, who directed the study. "Clergy are typically older and are less likely to have personally experienced a period of significant faith change themselves. What's more, not every person goes through a major crisis of faith, so individuals who are going through spiritual transitions often go unnoticed.

"Trying to stay in tune with these people's questions and doubts--at whatever age they occur--should be a higher priority for faith leaders."

Source: Barna Group.

Click here to read the full report.