A significant new research by the Pew Analysis Heart has revealed that Christianity stays the dominant religion in the USA, whilst non secular affiliation continues to shift.
The survey of 37,000 People, performed in 2023 and 2024, discovered that 62% of adults nonetheless establish as Christian. Though this marks a decline from 78% in 2007, the downward development seems to be stabilising.
The research highlights vital modifications in non secular identification over the previous 20 years. Whereas all main branches of Protestantism have seen a lower in numbers, Catholicism has remained comparatively regular, now representing 19% of the inhabitants.
Evangelical Protestants make up 23%, down barely from 26%, whereas oldline Protestants now account for 11%, in comparison with 18% in 2007. Traditionally black Protestant church buildings have additionally seen a small decline, now comprising 5% of the inhabitants.
On the identical time, practically 30% of People now establish as religiously unaffiliated, which means they contemplate themselves atheist, agnostic, or with no particular non secular identification. Youthful generations are main this shift, with many raised in non-religious households persevering with on that path into maturity.
As non secular identification turns into much less “sticky” throughout generations, fewer individuals raised in religion traditions stay dedicated to them over time.
Political affiliation additionally performs an growing function in non secular identification. In 2007, practically two-thirds of politically liberal People recognized as Christian.
In the present day, that quantity has dropped to simply over one-third. The decline amongst conservatives is way much less pronounced, although nonetheless current.
Regardless of political debates over Christianity’s function in public life, Christians proceed to make up a big share of US immigrants. Almost six in ten new arrivals establish as Christian, carefully mirroring the general inhabitants, whereas the variety of People who establish with non-Christian religions has grown to round 7%.
The research additionally reveals a shift in gender dynamics inside religion communities. Ladies have traditionally been extra non secular than males, attending worship companies and interesting in prayer at greater charges. Whereas this stays true, the gender hole is narrowing amongst youthful generations.
In 2007, the proportion of girls who prayed day by day exceeded the proportion of males by 17 factors. In the present day, that distinction has dropped to 13 factors. With girls historically enjoying a key function in sustaining locations of worship, this shift raises questions on how non secular communities will evolve.
Whereas Christianity within the US has undergone vital change, it nonetheless stays a significant power in American life.
As non secular variety grows and attitudes shift, church buildings and religion communities face the problem of partaking with youthful generations in new and significant methods.
