The latest Pew Research Center’s Survey of Religion in America, an Update on America’s Changing Religious Landscape, was released in October (see it here: https://www.pewforum.org/2019/10/17/in-u-s-decline-of-christianity-continues-at-rapid-pace/ ). The findings, on the surface, are not encouraging for Christians. The results clearly show a continued decline in the percentage of adult Americans who identify themselves as “Christian.” Only 65% of adults surveyed identified themselves as “Christian” (by any definition). In 2009, that figure was 77%. That is a decrease of 12 percentage points in the last decade.
At the same time the percentage of adults who identify as “Religiously Unaffiliated,” sometimes referred to as the “Nones,” rose from 17% in 2009 to 26% this year. Furthermore, those identifying as “Protestants” fell from 51% to 43%. Roman Catholics dropped from 23% to 20%. Self proclaimed atheists doubled from 2% to 4%. Agnostics went from 3% to 5%. Those Americans describing their religion as “Nothing in Particular” rose from 12% to 17%.
So what do these trends really indicate? Let me suggest several implications of these findings.
First, it shows the continued secularization of Western society. Europe and Canada have been for decades way ahead of the United States in this cultural and moral spiral downslide. Now we see America catching up. Fewer and fewer adult Americans now regard themselves as Christians in any sense of the term. It is clear many now identify, not necessarily as atheists, but as nonreligious. In all likelihood, even most Americans who identify as Christian (Protestants and Catholics) do not have authentic saving relationships with Christ.
Second, as the post Baby Boom generations are coming of age, the Judeo-Christian values that once provided the foundation of society’s morals and laws are quickly fading. The influence of Biblical teaching, what Francis A. Schaeffer called the “Christian memory,” is declining in all aspects of society. Secular humanism is increasing its hold on American ethics, politics, education, and laws. We see this exemplified in the rapid decaying of sexual mores as extra-marital, homosexual, and even polyamorous (multiple partners) sexual behaviors have attained broad acceptance in the popular culture.
Third, these trends indicate the growing acceptance in American society of the worldview of Naturalism. If you are a regular reader of MarketFaith Ministries materials, you know, of course, this is the belief that the natural and material universe is all that really exists. And while most Americans still claim to believe in some deity, they live as if there is no god and the actual impact of their belief on their lives is minor.
Finally, and this may be a positive thing, these trends mean that those who are genuine in their Christianity are finding it more challenging than ever to take a stand for their faith publicly. As the cultural currents run deeper and stronger in secular directions, Christians will find it more difficult to swim upstream against the tide. Future Christians will face strong opposition, and perhaps even persecution, from the culture, and even the law, for practicing Biblical principles in their homes, businesses, and schools. Thus, those who claim to be followers of Jesus will have to really mean it and courageously live it out in their lives. Shallow or counterfeit Christians will be swallowed up in the secular surge.