8 in 10 Americans Say Religion Is Losing Influence in Public Life
Most Americans say religion’s influence is shrinking, and about half (48%) see conflict between their own religious beliefs and mainstream American culture.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Most Americans say religion’s influence is shrinking, and about half (48%) see conflict between their own religious beliefs and mainstream American culture.
28% of U.S. adults are religiously unaffiliated, describing themselves as atheists, agnostics or “nothing in particular” when asked about their religion.
Catholics are one of the largest religious groups in the United States, outnumbering any single Protestant denomination.
About a quarter of U.S. adults regularly watch religious services online or on TV, and most of them are highly satisfied with the experience. About two-in-ten Americans (21%) use apps or websites to help with reading scripture.
But they hold differing opinions about what that phrase means, and two-thirds of U.S. adults say churches should keep out of politics.
Although it’s possible that the “nones” have leveled off, it’s also possible that their growth has continued, but at a gradual pace that is difficult to see in the data.
Most say Francis represents change in the church. And many say the church should allow priests to marry and let Catholics use birth control.
Self-identified Christians make up 63% of the U.S. population in 2021, down from 75% a decade ago.
The American Jewish population, like other religious groups, is in flux. Still, 88% of U.S. adults who were raised Jewish are still Jewish.
A new analysis of survey data finds that there has been no large-scale departure from evangelicalism among White Americans.
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