Religion In The United States. The End Of The Dominance Of Christianity?

[Napoleon's Nightingale]

I had some extra time on my hands today and decided to do some research on religion in the United States. I came across a few startling facts regarding the rate of growth of various religions here. In your opinion, does this data mark the beginning of the end of Christian dominance in the United States? Why or why not?

Rate of Growth Of Religion As A Percentage From 1990-2001:

CHRISTIANITY

1. Catholic - up 10.5%...........................2. Baptist - down 0.3%

3. Protestant - down 73%......................4. Methodist - down 0.1%

5. Lutheran - up 5.1%...........................6. Non-denominational - up 101.2%

7. Presbyterian - up 12.2%.....................8. Pentecostal - up 38.1%

9. Episcopalian - up 13.4%.....................10. Mormon - up 12%

11. Church of Christ - up 46.5%..............12. Jehova's Witeness - down 3.6%

13.Adventist - up 8.3%..........................14. Assemblies of God - up 67.5%

15. Holiness - down 6.7%.......................16. Congregationialist - up 130%

17. Church of the Nazarene - down 0.9%...18. Church of God - up 77.7%

19. Eastern Orthodox - up 28.4%.............20. Evangelical - up 326.4%

21. Mennonite - down 47.2%...................22. Christian science - down 9.3%

23. Church of the Bretheren - up 73.7%....24. Born Again - down 72.5%

25. Disciples of Christ - up 241.6%...........26. Dutch Reformed - up 79.5%

27. Apostolic - up 117%.........................28. Quaker - up 223.8%

29. Full Gospel - up 229.4%....................30. Christian Reform - up 97.5%

31. Foursquare Gospel - up 150%............32. Fundamentalist - up 125.9%

33. Salvation - down 7.4%.....................34. Independent - up 184%

OTHER RELIGION

1. Jewish - down 9.7%..........2. Muslim - up 109.4%

3. Buddhist - up 169.8%........4. Univeralist - up 25.2%

5. Hindu - up 237.4%............6. Native American - up 119.1%

7. Scientologist - up 22.2%....8. Baha'I - up 200%

9. Taoist - up 73.9%............10. New Age - up 240%

11. Eckankar - up 44.4%.......12. Rastafarian - down 21.4%

13. Sikh - up 338.4%............14. Wiccan - up 1,575%

15. Unclassified - down 53.8%

NO RELIGION

1. Atheist - UNKNOWN........2. Agnostic - down 16.4%

3. Humanist - up 68.9%......4.Secular - UNKNOWN

5. No beliefs/opinions - up 109.5%


Percentages were derived from data provided by the Census Bureau:

Statistical Abstract: Religion

 

[Spartacus FPV]

It seems to me that the Atheists are coming out of their closets so to speak. But Christianity is still the dominant theological position.

 

[DeeJayH]

well since this country is being overrun by immigrants, legals & illegals, and the bulk of those are Mexicans, the bulk of which are Christian, I do not think it the end of Christianity here

 

[Kandahar]

I had some extra time on my hands today and decided to do some research on religion in the United States. I came across a few startling facts regarding the rate of growth of various religions here. In your opinion, does this data mark the beginning of the end of Christian dominance in the United States? Why or why not?

No.

A) This only measures the GROWTH rates of those religions.
B) There's no particular reason to expect these trends to continue for another couple decades.
C) Those statistics don't show a big decline in growth anyway. A lot of denominations appear to be growing faster than ever.

 

[1069]

I had some extra time on my hands today and decided to do some research on religion in the United States. I came across a few startling facts regarding the rate of growth of various religions here. In your opinion, does this data mark the beginning of the end of Christian dominance in the United States? Why or why not?

Rate of Growth Of Religion As A Percentage From 1990-2001:

CHRISTIANITY

1. Catholic - up 10.5%...........................2. Baptist - down 0.3%

3. Protestant - down 73%......................4. Methodist - down 0.1%

5. Lutheran - up 5.1%...........................6. Non-denominational - up 101.2%

7. Presbyterian - up 12.2%.....................8. Pentecostal - up 38.1%

9. Episcopalian - up 13.4%.....................10. Mormon - up 12%

11. Church of Christ - up 46.5%..............12. Jehova's Witeness - down 3.6%

13.Adventist - up 8.3%..........................14. Assemblies of God - up 67.5%

15. Holiness - down 6.7%.......................16. Congregationialist - up 130%

17. Church of the Nazarene - down 0.9%...18. Church of God - up 77.7%

19. Eastern Orthodox - up 28.4%.............20. Evangelical - up 326.4%

21. Mennonite - down 47.2%...................22. Christian science - down 9.3%

23. Church of the Bretheren - up 73.7%....24. Born Again - down 72.5%

25. Disciples of Christ - up 241.6%...........26. Dutch Reformed - up 79.5%

27. Apostolic - up 117%.........................28. Quaker - up 223.8%

29. Full Gospel - up 229.4%....................30. Christian Reform - up 97.5%

31. Foursquare Gospel - up 150%............32. Fundamentalist - up 125.9%

33. Salvation - down 7.4%.....................34. Independent - up 184%

OTHER RELIGION

1. Jewish - down 9.7%..........2. Muslim - up 109.4%

3. Buddhist - up 169.8%........4. Univeralist - up 25.2%

5. Hindu - up 237.4%............6. Native American - up 119.1%

7. Scientologist - up 22.2%....8. Baha'I - up 200%

9. Taoist - up 73.9%............10. New Age - up 240%

11. Eckankar - up 44.4%.......12. Rastafarian - down 21.4%

13. Sikh - up 338.4%............14. Wiccan - up 1,575%

15. Unclassified - down 53.8%

NO RELIGION

1. Atheist - UNKNOWN........2. Agnostic - down 16.4%

3. Humanist - up 68.9%......4.Secular - UNKNOWN

5. No beliefs/opinions - up 109.5%


Percentages were derived from data provided by the Census Bureau:

Statistical Abstract: Religion

The rise of minor, possibly radical protestant sects and the decline of conventional, mainline protestantism is disturbing.
Beyond that, I'm surprised only by the rise in Catholicism, which has been in decline for a long time now.
I suppose the central and South American immigrant population accounts for some of that; they are overwhelmingly Catholic, although Jehovah's Witness and other fringy "born again" sects have made some inroads there, as well.

There have always been atheists. They've just been in the closet.
The thing is, up until this century, churches were the social centers of communities. If you wanted to have a social life, you dang well went to church and got involved in church activities.
Since the early 1900s, however, this has no longer been the case. There are now numerous secular ways and places to meet people and socialize.
For the past century or so, churches of all denominations have been overwhelmingly attended by women, children, and the elderly, while men have stayed home relaxing after a hard work week.
Even by the 1950s, this arrangement was considered socially acceptable, as long as Dad gave lip service to 'saying grace" at family gatherings and showed up for the major church holidays every now and then.

Men (and a few smart chicks) have simply come out of the closet at this point and admitted that they weren't, after all, staying home on Sundays because they were exhausted from working or because they had money riding on the football game: they were staying home because they didn't like church, and didn't believe in god.
I guess now, the secret is out.

 

[Dogger807]

All good (and bad) things must come to an end. I just don't think Christianity is gonna lose dominance any time soon. Give it a couple more generations

 

[tecoyah]

Likely, the increase in access to information which sheds doubt on the basic tenants of Christianity, coupled with more and more people understanding the scientific aspects of our natural world has led more than a few to abandon the Bibles as the words of God. As the trend towards understanding our world becomes stronger, there may very well be a movement away from many of the world religions, in favor of something not so easily refuted by observation.
I also, dont see this happening on a large scale in the coming decades, but instead I think it will continue to be a slow and steady decline, which isnt noted until a line of population is crossed. There is little reason for someone losing a faith in God to proclaim it to anyone, they likely feel some level of guilt at the revelation. Whereas, one finding God in life.....will sing it from the highest mountain, as they must according to scripture, "spread the Word".

All this is a very personal thing, and one hopes it remains so.

 

[Cephus]

While I don't see Americans abandoning religion any time soon, I think that we'll end up following the European trend where Christianity declines in popularity. I'm really hoping that mankind eventually outgrows the need to believe in imaginary friends.

 

[clone19]

the end of christianity will come less than 200 years from now. willing to take bets on this one (perhaps a 180 year CD, winner's descendants get the prize?)

 

[Gardener]

the end of christianity will come less than 200 years from now. willing to take bets on this one (perhaps a 180 year CD, winner's descendants get the prize?)

Is this your prediction for the date of world wide conquest in the form of your ummah?

 

[WI Crippler]

Boy the Wiccan population is exploding. Halloween always was more interesting than Xmas anyway