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Share of Christians in America dropping sharply

The share of Americans who describe themselves as Christian has dropped 12 percentage points in the last decade, a precipitous decline across denominations led by a millennial generation that is far less likely than their parents or grandparents to spend Sundays in the pews.

A new poll conducted by the Pew Research Center finds 65 percent of American adults identified themselves as Christian in 2018 or 2019, down from 77 percent in 2009. At the same time, the share of adults who describe themselves as religiously unaffiliated grew from 17 percent to 26 percent.

The decline, as in so many other societal trends, is led by the millennial generation, just 49 percent of whom describe themselves as Christian. That’s a drop of 16 percentage points from a decade ago, when the oldest millennials were in their mid-20s.

Just over a third of millennials say they attend religious services at least once a month.

More than 80 percent of those born before 1945, more than three-quarters of baby boomers and two-thirds of Generation X say they are Christian, though numbers have slumped among boomers and Xers.

Virtually every demographic has become less likely to identify as Christian in the last decade, the Pew data show. The drop is evident among both men and women, across racial lines, across regional and educational lines — and even across partisan lines. Democrats are now 17 percentage points less likely to call themselves Christian, and the share of Republicans who identify as such is down seven points.

Westerners are the least likely to call themselves Christian; just 60 percent said so. But even in the South, the most religious region of the country, the share of the faithful is on the decline. The percentage of Southerners who called themselves Christian dropped from 82 percent in 2009 to 70 percent in 2018.

Even the share of white born-again evangelicals is on the decline. Today, only 16 percent of American adults say they are born-again, down from 19 percent a decade ago.

The percentage of religious Americans who attend church services has not declined substantially in recent years, but overall church attendance is falling too. That, the Pew researchers said, is a reflection of the fact that there are simply fewer religious Americans to attend church in the first place.

Just a decade ago, slightly more than half of Americans said they were members of a Protestant denomination. Today, that share is down to 43 percent. And the number of Catholics has dropped from 23 percent to 20 percent over the same span.

Members of other religious groups have held steady in recent years. Just about the same percentage of Americans called themselves Mormon (2 percent), Jewish (2 percent), Muslim, Buddhist or Hindu (1 percent each) in 2009 as in 2018.

The trend away from religious observance has been a decades-long phenomenon. The General Social Survey found a drop in the number of Americans who identified as Christian stretching back to the late 1970s, when 90 percent of Americans said they adhered to a Christian faith.

https://thehill.com/homenews/news/466287-share-of-christians-in-america-dropping-sharply

My prayers go out to Christians, Non Christians, Agnostics, and atheists.

I wonder if there is a correlation to the decline of Christians and increase in certain types of crimes and amoral behavior?

I'm not talking about crimes of passion. Nor crimes committed due to poor economic issues. Nor mental health related crimes. I'm talking more about the senseless types of crimes. For example, like people just walking up to people on the street and decking them. Or the rise in amoral acts like social bullying and a lack of respect for authority, the elderly, etc.

Many crimes were committed in the name of Christianity over the centuries. Also, many individuals hid behind their religion and were amoral. However, I noticed this as a teacher.............when you look at the groups of people as a whole, a high percentage of students who were raised in Christian families were more polite, broke fewer rules, treated their peers w/better, etc.

I think this topic would make for an interesting study.

I wonder if the decline is correlated with the decline of the church. It’s become home to pedophiles and bigots hiding behind the cloth. I was raised in the church and saw the hypocrisy all around me on Sunday mornings. It was a huge turn off. I came to realize I didn’t need to sit in church with a bunch of ‘Sunday Christians’ to know Christ.

Then you must be thrilled at the decline. I think the decline gives us people such as yourself.

The decline it what exactly?

Do you feel you need to belong to a church or follow a religion to be a good person?

Do you believe in giving to the poor, caring about those with less and having compassion for the needy not a Christian idea? Do you feel wanting everyone to have medical care is not rooted in sound values? Do you feel that wanting everyone to have a roof over their heads isn't something Jesus too would want?

That's what I find so confusing here. Many of the core values of the party you oppose line up pretty well with the bible. Certainly not all by any stretch. But then when you look at what the party you do promote suggests, it's really no better in that situation.

You make it sound like anyone who doesn't align with your views is a bad person. That's far from the truth. Some people need the fear of eternal death to be a good person. Some are just good people without holding that fear over their heads.

I think there are many causes, some of which have been stated above ...... but I have a different theory.

Reading the Old Testament, and one theme runs through it all.

The Jewish people would turn to God and prosper. They then got to be too convinced of their own greatness as a people, and God would use another people to humble them, knocking them down a peg or 30, and perhaps even allowing them to be conquered and dispersed by a foreign power. They would then cry out to Him, and He would then often rescue and restore them. This theme is as consistent as any in the Old Testament.

So, how does this apply to today? We are a very prosperous people. We are becoming more and more certain of our own power, and thus turn away from God. The 10 Commandments warn of covetousness. We covet everything. They warn against sexual sins. No need to get into how we disobey this one. I read about a survey recently, and some 70% of self identified Christians see nothing wrong with sleeping with someone they are not married to. Taking the Lord's Name in vain is commonplace. We put almost everything these days ahead of the Lord. The list goes on. We, as a people, have turned away from God, and it has happened as we have become more "enlightened" and prosperous as a people.

I read a book recently, and the author noted how many areas of Africa are exploding in Christianity. They read the Word of God, and do their best to obey. They trust in God.

Our country is fading away from this. People ran back to churches following 9-11. Not everyone, but most churches experienced much higher then usual attendance following that horrible attack.

I would also add that people today are more likely to "create their own god", just as surely as the ancient Jews did. They created their "gods" out of wood and/or metal. Many people today are taking the very same tactic today, except that their "god" is one created out of what they want God to be, even the Christian God, not what the Bible says He is.

Also, secular society has taken Sundays to be their day. Have a kid in school who plays sports? Sunday practices! Everything is open on Sundays, and many businesses are open 24 hours/day. When I was a kid in Michigan, Sundays were roll up the streets day. Churches were open, and maybe you might find a service station open, but most businesses were closed. Sundays are no longer the Lord's day, today they are just one of 7.

I would also add that many churches today have youth programs that put "fun" ahead of learning about God. Thus, when kids get out of these programs, and out of the house, there is little difference between what their youth programs put forth, and what other young people say is right. If your church doesn't define what the Bible says is right and wrong, what difference is there between the church and the world? Kids go from youth programs in the church to everything the world says is OK, (sex, drinking, drugs, theft, abuse, etc) because the church has never defined them as things God has told us are wrong for us, and why.

The major problems the Church has experienced others noted above are definitely a large part of the problem ..... but I don't think that they are the biggest problem.

my generation grew up during the creation and rise of social media.

and as such, we have been shown how corrupt religious organizations are. but it use to be just spoken around the local community, now we see everything going down all over the country, and even around the world.

i mean this shouldnt surprise anybody. i dislike all religions, but we are JUST talking about christianity in America. and as the dominant religion in this country, it gets the most attention.

churches in america seem to be increasingly used as nothing more than a front for organized pedophilia, combined with extortion due to the clear capitalistic nature of churches here in America.

i mean just look at the catholic church. good luck convincing me they arent the religious version of the Triads or Yakuza. but atleast those two other crime syndicates dont lie about who they are.

these churches will talk about the word of god, then go molest your kids when you leave them alone with the church leaders.

and then for my generation, its even harder to believe in this nonsense when these religious people will throw all these bible verses in someone's face, then turn around and COMPLETELY contradict all these "Values" they talk about when supporting certain political figures.

the churches and money here in this country turns a lot of people off. you got these losers like that one dude in texas who had a megachurch, but didnt open the church up for flood victims as a shelter.

you got pastors out here buying lambo's and 4 million dollar mansions, then wanna talk about generosity and and the 10 commandments, as well as sinners.

so for MY generation, its beyond clear as to why there's a decline in ANY religious beliefs as a whole, not just christianity.

too much hypocrisy, a bunch of BS stories, and the fact that the only way to be a TRUE christian is to live in FEAR of god.

i mean damn, think about that message:

"Hey, if you dont believe in jesus and the lord, you're gonna burn in hell"

yea, ok. thats really gonna make me convert.

and then i view the way these christians treat others, and i really do have to laugh.

i mean damn. i really got christians out here mad that LBGT are allowed to married, when half the "christians" talking bad about the gay community is on their 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th marriage.

anybody remember that Kim davis lady? oh girl was on her FOURTH MARRIAGE, but had the nerve to use her religion and "family values" BS to try and keep gays from getting married.

a lot of you christians in this country are only christian when its convenient, but when nobody is looking, yall sin the most out of anybody in this country.

ill say it one more time, there's multiple, very clear reasons why my generation aint falling for that BS.

My reply is 'in general' but I want to address a couple things you said.

I personally don't think any religion is bad, a small portion of the people in it are often corrupt, criminal, or evil though. Most Christians do little harm other than support poor leaders of their faith. Most Christians are good people in their hearts and mean no harm to anyone.

But like Vers above, they seem to think that going to church and participating in organized religion MAKES you a good person. I think I'm a good person and you won't find me in a church... ever. Just like Christians who believe you have to go to church to be good, I believe anyone and everyone has good in them to at least some extent. Those who act out in bad or evil ways taint the group they are in rather religious or not.

I personally think the decline has a lot to do with the pedophiles, the hate mongers, the obvious crooked 'god wants you to buy me a jet' leaders, and the Christians that think they have the right to shove their religion down another's throat. These things turn everyone off of organized religion.

BUT, times have also changed. With the web and sharing of information we are not as naive as a people as we were even 50 years ago. There was a time not long ago when people with tattoos were shunned and thought bad of for their body modifications. It just happens to turn out they are no different than others. This has happened with LGBT, POC and foreigners, non-Christian religious people and atheist, mentally ill or disabled folks, and Christians who do not attend church. At one point or another these people have been attacked and stigmatized by 'good christians'... People tend to remember these things.

The information age is the enemy to that type of religion and it is 100% natural to see those declines as people learn and discover the discriminations of the church. As time moves on I think the church will evolve and some will return, but I do not expect the percentage of Christians to grow because the old threats can no longer be held over peoples heads and you can not be shamed for not going or not believing unless you allow it.

All of us are sinners. Every single one of us. It's just a shame so many Christians like to be the first to cast a stone.

That is not even close to what I said. I haven't went to church in decades. I'll leave the thread, though. Not interested in arguing w/people who misrepresent my words and intent.

Mate, I am a Gen X'er and I totally agree! Well said!

It's all just a power trip. But, our friend Stephen Fry also says it perfectly in an interview for the Irish Public Broadcasting. I won't link the video as some will no doubt be offended by it, but for those interested Google: "Stephen Fry On God & The Meaning Of Life" (be forewarned, he DOES NOT hold back in this thoughts!)

Not much one can say to counter his argument.

And comments like this one........


Christian broadcaster: Elijah Cummings’ death was God’s revenge for his ‘demonic attempt’ to impeach Trump

https://deadstate.org/christian-broadcas...-impeach-trump/

I can definitely believe this...seems like everyday I drive by another church put up for sale due to declining congregations..

I absolutely wasn't dogging you Vers.

But this statement reads like you are correlating the crime rate with there being less CHristians.

You posted: "I wonder if there is a correlation to the decline of Christians and increase in certain types of crimes and amoral behavior?"

You may have a point..........yet, I see you dis religion all the time as stupid, etc. But, when it suits you, you quote Bible verses.

You might have a point, BUT let me come and attack you for being atheist from another angle: You put religion down then quote scripture.... Really Arch, is there a competition in your head where you have to come AT me no matter what I say or do?

First I have always plainly said I'm atheist, yet believe that everyone has a right to believe what they want.

Second, because I'm well educated on the topic, when somebody tries to use religion to school me, I tend to turn it around on them.

Third, I have never called anybody stupid for having their own beliefs and minding their own damn business about mine.

AND lastly, just because I'm atheist does not mean I can't read or quote the bible when talking about religion or Christians who would use that religion against me or another. I also quote other famous works from time to time and if I quote Twain for instance that does not mean I worship Huck Finn or hate him.

Do yourself a favor Arch and try not to make me your enemy outside of PP because I will just pwn you and show how petty you are to everyone reading.

Then, may it continue to decline further

I am going to make a few comments/responses.

Church scandals have absolutely hurt the Christian Church overall. The Catholic Church and their illegal behaviors by both gay and straight clergy is inexcusable. Other churches having preachers (or "church owners") making millions of dollars ... while sometimes even bankrupting elderly people at the same time, is inexcusable.

The Christian Church should be a House of God. Behavior of those overseeing the churches should be beyond reproach. Money collected should support the church, but should also used to help those in need. Churches should be reaching out to those struggling in this world, and helping them find their way. Suicide has gone from 10.4% of all deaths to 14% in the time frame of 1999-2017. That's a huge increase, and it shows that people are struggling with more and more problems as the world changes. In 2015, suicide was the 2nd largest cause of death among those age 10-34. That's a frightening trend.

Products - Data Briefs - Number 330 - September 2018
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db330.htm

I also agree that there are many in church on Sundays who attend simply for show, or because it's expected. However, maybe a message on a Sunday will open their hearts, and cause them to live a truly Christian life. No one can ever know when a message might convict such a person's heart. I do think it's more likely they receive such a message if they are actually in church though

Just a few thoughts.

Christianity doesnt matter anymore because people have woke up to smell the coffee that its a load of BS. Fake ass Christian God with a Fake ass religion. God is nothing but a lying ankle biter who doesnt fullfill his promises as outlined in the bible.

I have to disagree Eve 😥

I am curious ...... which promises?

Go read Psalms for a while.

I think it is sad that this reality is happening in this country. There have been those that did things mentioned in this thread that was suppose to be Priests, Preachers, Pastors, and other professed Christians that have turned people off. The Church needs to be restored and cleaned from the inside out because we live in a lost and dying world. Getting worse each and every year. When Christ ascended to heaven after the resurrection he commanded Christians to Go ye into the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

That is hope that no other religion can give. That our God loved each of us so much that he paid the price for our sins and died so we could live.

I read from the Psalms every day. Which verse(s) are you referring to?

Any of them. They are all the same crap.

I'm not really interested in having a theological debate with you over a particular bible verse.

My life experiences form my opinions, and it wont be changing because of you or anybody else. I know my knowledge to be factual and correct.

So, you're an atheist, that hates religion..........yet you want to quote the Bible when it fits your agenda?

2 faced much?

I'm just curious, because you said that God lies, and then offered Psalms as an example of that. I am still curious as to where He lied in Psalms?

Let me ask you some questions.

Why do you read the bible and study religion?

Nevermind. I decided I dont want to ruin your religious experience.

Wow, you just don't stop do you. Asked and answered, yet you still bring the personal attacks. You just love to provoke and troll me and no matter what I say to you there will be more of the same. Stop being so petty.

I suppose you consider yourself a Christian? You probably even think you are a good Christian, yet you don't show even one Christian trait.

But hey, I'll answer your question as honestly as possible and expect you to be back with your next petty assault because it has nothing to do with the topic and everything to do with you attempting to provoke me into a ban. So here is your answer:

I, apparently unlike you, have read the bible from cover to cover. There are actually very good lessons in the bible EVEN if you don't believe in the supernatural parts or agree with every part. There are also parts of the bible that are antiquated, misogynistic, and or disturbing at best. To me, the bible is just another book. My being an atheist does not mean that I'm not allowed to read or quote from that book, especially if I am constantly going to have to defend my own beliefs against people like you.

And I don't know that I have ever said "I hate religion" nor even that all religion is bad. What you probably remember is me saying that I hate the ignorance that religion breeds. A good example of this would be your last post to me. When you weaponize your religion to use against others, you don't get to call them two faced for picking up that weapon and turning it on you. In all the bible, the only time I ever remember reading that Jesus attacked anyone is when he went after the money changers in the temple, and he dealt with non-believers everyday. Yet you and many other so-called Christians attack Atheist for having done little more than question the validity of the faith you think you are defending with these displays of pettiness and outright ignorance of the very things your religion teaches. In your mind, the obvious answer to "WWJD?" in this situation must be to lash out, attempt to belittle, and to troll the non-believer. And unless I missed the chapter and verse that teaches this behavior, I'd say it's not me being two faced but you projecting your own personal shortcomings upon me. While you reflect upon that, I'll borrow one of your faithful's favorite sayings and tell you to "have a blessed day".

AND BTW, since it's Sunday and you are probably going to church this morning, try to listen and take in the lesson from the sermon and just maybe you will find a little grace. <-- FYI: Atheist can say that too.

I think the key word here is "describe" or "identify".

Anyone that goes to church regularly, can tell you that the seats are mostly filled with an aging population, most churches struggle to get younger familes to join. Many are trying to different things, and around me, I see some chruches succeeeding, mainly because they put aside "tradition" to grow.

We have a few churches with a very young congregation, and they tend to be more like a theater or performing arts hall style, with lighting and stages, and good sound systems, contemporary music, etc.

Young people don't want to sing 5 verses of "How great though art", the sit for 30 minutes and listen to someone ramble on. The preacher needs to be engaging, relate-able, and be able to correlate the message with every day life.

But many churches refuse to make these changes, or change with the times, or even consider other services that provide these attributes because it would be unholy in the holiest of buildings.

Anyway, I gotta run, heading to contemporary service at church. Really, I am.

I do so because I have felt the call of God upon my heart. I have studied the Bible, and have read it from "In the beginning" to "Amen" 7 or 8 times. I see history repeating the events told in the Bible over and over again ... even to modern times. I find more thru

If the scientists are true, and this earth has evolved from one single original single celled blob in a puddle of goo, then we are nothing but a tiny screen blip in the history we suspect we know of. What is a single life of 80-90 years in the face of all time? What will be left when we (individually or as a species) die off or wind up exterminating ourselves? The most brilliant of our minds will be as nothing the further we go into the future .... either because we will wind up destroying ourselves, or because future humans will look at today's most brilliant minds as if they created the Edsel ....if they are remembered at all.

I read the Bible, and I see a man (God made man) who, if He was not God, was a very minor Jewish preacher. His earthly ministry lasted only about 3 years. Following His death on the cross, His followers went into hiding for fear of being executed by the Jewish and Roman authorities. Then, suddenly, (when they saw the risen Christ) they became not only preachers, but bold preachers of the Word, willing to go anywhere, and to willingly die for their belief in Christ.

The more we advance, the more I am certain of God's great power and glory, and in the truth of the Bible. The more we advance, the more we seem to fall into the same traps the Jewish people did throughout the Old Testament. History repeats itself, even with all of the advances we have made in other areas. We are so sure of our power ...when our power is nothing. Stephen Hawking was one of the most brilliant minds of our modern time. He is now dust and bones. If his belief is true, he will eventually become nothing. If the Bible is true, he will have to stand before God Almighty to be judged. God leaves the choice up to us.

I think you missed the point. The article is pointing out that more people do not want to be associated with any religion. That does not make them more likely to be criminals. I think it is a fallacy to associate religious belief with lack of criminal behavior.

What I find very hypocritical and scary is just how similar the extreme, radicalization and far right, evangelical Christian belief is to Islamic extremism such as the Taliban & ISIS. The comparisons are frightening, yet the radical Christians are too blind to see it in their quickness to call others evil.

I don't even consider them religious or Christians because all they do is wrap hate in religion as a shield to hide behind. If you hate somebody for something they can't help like sexuality, skin color, or where they are from I think that's the opposite of "Christ-like" behavior.

That's my point. And they (ALL extremists no matter what their religion may be) hide behind the misread, distorted & warped interpretations of the gospel within their books.

And, those who are obviously racist, yet who claim to be "Christian" and who have paintings of some mystic long haired bearded white guy should also remember that Jesus was most definitely brown!

Yep, looks like any middle class white hippie/cult dude from the 60s. Jesus apparently came from what is now the north of Palestine...he would be more middle eastern in his features. This type of imagery just adds to the whitewashing of religion in the west.

HHmmm Nir Levi Israeli model I suppose your going to say he is white also