The Associated Press: More Americans say they have no religion.
You’ve probably caught a glimpse of this headline (or something like it) in the past couple of days. The AP is reporting on a wide-ranging study on American religious life. The most notable finding is the increase in the number of Americans who say they have “no religion.” In 1990 the number was 8.2% and today the number is 15%.
The study also reports on demographic observations such as the fact that Northern New England is now the “least religious region,” with Vermont reporting 34% claim to have no religion. New England has replaced the Pacific Northwest as the “least religious region.”
Other notable statistics:
– Catholic population is up in California, Texas, and Florida, largely due to Latino immigration.
– Catholics are the largest religious group in the US.
– Mainline Protestants groups (Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, and Episcopalian) are dwindling.
– 30% of married couples do not have a religious wedding ceremony.
– 27% of respondents do not want a religious funeral.
– There are signs of the growing influence of churches that don’t belong to a denomination, or play down their membership in the group.
There is much more to digest as you read the linked report on this study, conducted by The Program on Public Values at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.
I drew three main conclusions from the study:
1. America is steadily drifting away from the religious roots of her founders. (Nothing new, but documented in the study!)
2. The double distraction of the gay rights debate and theological liberalism is exacting a heavy price within mainline denominations.
3. The increasing spiritual darkness in America begs for passionate people willing to devote everything to spread the light…HERE!