“Give me that old time religion”? For a growing number of Americans, not so much. New information from the Pew Research Center reveals a spike in Americans claiming no religious connection. Meanwhile, it reports a steep decline among those who claim the name of Christ.
Phone surveys in 2018 and 2019 found that 65% of American adults describe themselves as Christians. That’s a plunge from 77% in 2009. For those who call themselves atheists, agnostics, or “nothing in particular,” it’s a different story. The portion of these so-called “nones” has risen from 17% in 2009 to 26% today.
The Pew report has more troubling news. Church attendance is on the decline. The portion of those who attend religious services regularly—at least once or twice per month—has dropped 7% over the past 10 years. The percentage of those who rarely or never attend services has increased by the same amount. In 2009, regular attenders outnumbered those who rarely attend church 52% to 47%. Now those folks who make regular church attendance their priority are in the minority. Only 45% of Americans claim to attend church more than once a month.
Generational differences may partly explain the change in America’s religious landscape. The report says three quarters of U.S. baby boomers (people born between 1946 and 1964) call themselves Christians. Among the younger millennial generation, however, only 49% label themselves Christian.
On the surface, these stats might seem like only bad news. But numbers don’t always tell the whole story. For much of the history of the United States, many people have shared a common Judeo-Christian heritage if not an actual, life-saving faith. Christianity and church attendance were largely accepted as cultural norms. The Pew study suggests that norms have shifted. Maybe Americans today are more honest about their religious beliefs. In the past, churches may have been full because Christianity was popular, not because everyone in the seats really believed the gospel.
It is important to remember too that Jesus’ church (the whole body of believers) is not confined to any one part of the globe. While Christianity becomes less popular in one country, it may explode in others (for example: Iran, Afghanistan, and Gambia). Christians take comfort in knowing that God protects His people throughout the world. God is with the true church everywhere, whether there are many or few, in peace and in persecution. Christians pray for their communities and nations to be awakened to the gospel. And they rest secure, knowing that God is in control.
That is sad. Come back to the
That is sad. Come back to the Lord, America!
Church....
Most Church es in America are not even churches anymore. They'r just "christian" night clubs. They turn out the lights play rap music and eat snacs.
Come back America! Or you'l crash and burn!!
The only reason God has not destroyed us is because there are a few righteous (remember the story of Sodom and Gomora)
@NA
I have been saying the same thing for a while, America will be the next Sodom or Gomora if we dont turn back to God.
@ Kaleb
Yes....its a sad truth...
OWEN
this is sad we dont go to church but we go to fellow ships and are very versed in the bible and im sure you guys are to but this is just really sad/è triste non andiamo in chiesa ma andiamo dalle altre navi e siamo molto esperti nella Bibbia e sono sicuro che lo siete ragazzi ma questo è davvero triste/Italian
@ OWEN
Ah, allora parli italiano?
Janna
What happened to Rome is going to happen to the US. Like someone once said, "America is great because America is good, but when America ceases to be good America ceases to be great".
@Daniel G
Was that quote from Dennis Prager?
Hmm interesting. I don’t go
Hmm interesting. I don’t go to church but that is just me. It’s sad that our country is less christianized then before but Christianity is such a broad term you don’t have to identity as a Christian to be saved.
It is said that Alexis de Tocqueville said this.
I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there. I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her fertile fields and boundless forests, and it was not there. I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her rich mines and her vast world commerce, and it was not there. I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her public school system and her institutions of learning, and it was not there. I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution, and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.
Jesus
Jesus should be the number one thing in our life. We need more people in church.
@NA
My church keeps the lights on but my aunt's church turns them off. I actually think it's kinda nice having them off. Less light means it is harder to be distracted by other people, the lyrics on the screen show up more, and it just feels nice in a way that's hard to explain to be in dim light with fellow believers praising God.
To Above
God is light.
You can't see your bible if there is no light.
You can't say you walk in light if you worship in darkness.
It's all spiritual! Darkness, Is God dark NO!
Dose your Aunts church give high fives indstead of hand shakes? Is the pastor young? Dose there music sound contemporary? Do they have a rock band?
@NA
The lights aren't dark all the time and even when they are you could probably read your Bible if you didn't mind straining your eyes, if it's a time when you are supposed to be reading the rest of the lights come back on.
To Above
ok? most i've been in have no lights the whole service.
Janna @NA
If there is contemporary music, lights off, a young pastor, high fives, or not, it doesn't matter about any of those things. What matters is if they teach the true gospel (for example Joel Osteen does not), but it doesn't matter what the music is what the lights do, it's about Jesus, and only Jesus.
@ Janna
Oh cores It's about Jesus! But the problem is: Those people are painting the wrong picture of Jesus. Jesus is light not dark, Jesus says Listen to your Elders they are wiser than the young people, Jesus is pleasant, not rock and roll. And Jesus delivers people out of Darkness, the secular music, the alcohol, and It's just plain Wrong to put all those things in a "church" and the slap Jesus name on it.
I know their point: that's what the young people want! they want a Jesus that makes room for the things they like, Dark rooms, loud hard music, young people to hang with. ect, ect. So whats the new age "church" doing? They start to reform to this world and make a "christian" tipe of rap music so It's "OK" to listen to. A "christian" "church" that looks and sounds like a night club so nonbelievers will feel at home.
It's not our job to bring the people in, we let the Lord do that, we just wait. The New age "chruch" doesn't want to wait, they wan't young people in the pew, money in the pocket.and a good name. How can you get saved? and then go out and live like an unbeliever and then say "my pastor says it's OK" so it's OK? I don't get it!
(not saying anyone here is saying that).
Nadia A
I think my church is pretty contemporary and a lot alike to what you are calling 'dark churches'
We turn the lights off but only for worship. Our church is in a movie theater because we dont have enough money for a building so it's just naturally dark in there. We have the song lyrics on the huge movie screen and there are blue and link lights shining on the worship team so we can see them better. The do occasionally flash. And it's not a rock band. I mean there is a piano, guitar, drums and electric guitar so that might be rock to you. Our pastor and everyone in it gives handshakes. We have two pastors that take turns teaching and the are both 40. I dont know if you think that's young.
And I agree with Janna. Our pastor is teaching us about the true God so it doesn't matter how light it is or where it is.
Nadia A
Also it's amazing, because we're in a movie theater we've had many concerts. People come into the room we're in mistakenly, expecting to watch Star Wars or Joker but instead they are greeted by people talking about God. A lot of times the people have stayed in our service instead of going to see their movie. Its AMAZING!
Nadia A
One more thing, our church doesn't have alcohol or rap music. And there are a lot of teenagers so I think it's more fun. I like being able to sit next to my friends during service.
@ Emilia G
I have had 100's of BAD experiences with contemporary churches.
Janna @NA
Still it's good that churches are more "contemporary" sometimes because that can help get people from "the outside world" to come to church. Churches that only sing hymns and only do the KJV are filled with cranky old people who don't accept new ideas. (That's how my church used to be, but then we got a new pastor and the music changed to contemporary music, the auditorium was remodeled, we didn't use the KJV anymore, and lot's more young people came to the church. All these changes are for the better, it's not bad to have a "contemporary" church.........If you don't think these things are true now, you will when you get older and more independent/"worldly".)
To above
I 100% agree
Janna To Above
Thank you, I agree with you too!
Nadia A
Well, shes not saying you're not independent but a lot of kids just believe what their parents believe. Also by worldly, I think shes means that you are quite protected and that once you get older you'll understand things more.
Janna, please tell me if I misunderstood you.
@ Emilia G
What do you mean by protected?
My parents hide nothing from me. (exept you know, things that arn't write for young people to hear for example the worst detales of WW1 and WW2.)
@ Emilia G
I am not just saying what my parents say, i'm saying what I believe and what I lived through.
Nadia A
Okay. That is your opinion. And what did you think of my church? And do you think a 40 year old pastor is too young?
Nadia A
My mom is also very... I dont really know the word. But she said that no matter WHAT I ask her, she will always give me the honest truth. And so far she has. If I have questions about anything i ask her and she tells me. If I hear stuff about secret things going on in my family I ask her and she tells me the truth. I love being able to trust her.
So it's great if your parents really do tell you everything.
@ Emilia G
It depends. I think 40 is not young I mean't by young was 20, 25, 27, in the 20's.
@ Emilia G
listen to a sermon on the webstie. Tell me if you think it's not "worldly" enough.
Nadia A
Your church looks nice! I have to go do school but I may listen to a sermon in a minute.
Janna (@Emelia G & NA)
@ Emelia G, yes you were right; @NA, does your church believe that the KJV is the only right version of the Bible?
Janna
What exactly is the difference between KJV ot other ones like ESV?
To above
Different translation.
Beth H
Ah, okay!
Janna @ Emelia G
Also the KJV is like Romeo & Juliet old English, and some people believe that the KJV is the only right Bible which is weird.
@ Janna
um..no. the pastor likes the KJV because it is the closest to the original. NIV is fine. But some others are wack!!
Why?
They keep deleting my comments!
OWEN @N&M. A
sì, ma non troppo,umm ho avuto un po 'di aiuto dal traduttore
To Above
ke?
@ OWEN
Ah. I see.
what?!
what are you guys saying
To Above
About what?
Sterling S
Owen said, yes, but not too much, umm I got some help from the translator. And Nadia said... I'm actually not sure.
Elsie (Emelias sister)
Ummm, Whoa there Nadia. My church is contemporary. And I don't care what you say, playing music at a certain speed or with a certain rythem does not make it BAD MUSIC. You obviously have never actually read the bible because it literally said that all we need to be Christans is to love God, Repent, and belive he died for your sins. Sorry if you dont like certain music, but there isnt anything wrong with rap as long as it isnt talking about gross stuff and has no swearing. Also, why do you believe someone needs to be 'old' to speak Gods word??? Do you not think that everyone should share His word? I agree with Daniel, people arent going to go to some strict church where they feel like the need to follow all the rules and be perfect, they want to go somewhere where they fit in and feel welcome. Why does eating snacks make you un-christan? It doesn't. Why does turning the lights off and having flashing lights make it un-christan? It doesn't. Everyone worships differently and frankly I dont belive God cares weather or not a person "Eats snacks" or not. Its rude to just judge everyone else for beliving differently than you do.
@Elsie G
I agree with a lot of what you are saying but some of the things could have been said in kinder ways.
Beth G
You're right I apolagize for being mean.
@ Emilia G
That was offensive.
I...........
@ Emilia G
I HAVE read the bible and I read it EVER DAY!!!
I do not think you have to be old to preach the word. I was saying that most pastors in contemporaneity churches are wacky. Not saying all are but a lot of them. (most that i've listend to)
Eating scknaks dose not make you un christian. It makes the church dirty. : )
And I am sorry you don't belive like I do and I respect that. I just don't think we should take worldly musci and out nice words to it and call it christian.
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