

“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.
@ J A
That depends.
OWEN
202 comments W O W LMBO
congrats if you got this far
congrats if you got this far
L( O-O L) Why?
*sobs*
@ Janna
Sorry I've been in the hospital all month (with post infectious gastroparesis and appendicitis not fun!) But I'm back now so please answer my question if you have a answer. If you don't then just say so. Please, thank you. :)
Janna (Daniel's sister) @NA
I still don't believe what you believe, and I am done commenting. Sorry if I ever said anything offensive.
@ Janna
Okay. : )
@Elsie G.
I think something needs clearing up in the fact that "Jesus drank". He drank wine, yes, but he strictly forbade getting DRUNK with it.
@NA.
I do not believe that we speak "in tongues" today.
@Nadia A.
All right, I'm just going to say what I think, and if it is rude or impolite to you, then I apologize.
You have commented on Acts 2, but I think you are overlooking verse 6. It says that everyone heard the Gospel in their own language. I believe that the disciples spoke Hebrew, but everyone else heard it in their own language. And if all "true" Christians speak in tongues, then why can't all other "true" Christians hear and understand them? In one of your comments, you said that you speak, live, and know the language of tongues. But do you understand it?
These are my points, and I will be coming back on this page, looking for an answer.
To Above
Sorry I am so late I didn't see your comment until now.
@ Elania
The bible clearly states that they spoke in unone tongues. The language they were speaking were completely forging to them. Tye bible says they wondered how they were speaking different languages beacuse they were poor ignorant fisherman from Galilee. They were NOT speaking Hebrew. I dont understand what I'm saying when I speak in tongues. Your not supposed to understand. In some cases other people understand you. And many time the lord reviled what the person was saying and the other person prophecys .
And you can still be a true
And you can still be a true Christian and not speak in tongues. But it is a gift. And we can expect it or not.
Three-part-comment.
1: The Jesus-Drank-Wine Debate.
Apparently, He did drink wine. His first miracle was turning water into wine.
He blessed the wine at the last supper. Apparently, there was a water problem
In that time. So they 'Disinfected ' it with wine. If you drank at least 4 cups of it, you
Would be absolutely bloated.
2: The Speaking in tongues Debate.
Apparently, it is real, because the Bible says that the apostles were
Filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. Why would God stop that?
3: A Funny "Coincidence."
When the apostles spoke in tongues, the people thought they drank unwatered wine
(Which CAN be damaging, so drinking THAT is bad, so Jesus didn't drink wine unwatered.)
Bonus comment!!
My mom said Christianity is not a religion.
This is so sad :( America is
This is so sad :( America is supposed to be a country founded on God. "One nation under God" I mean God is rooting for us. America just needs to seek him.
I mean people are going into other country's to tell about Jesus but we should be going into America!!!
My dad and mom can speak in
My dad and mom can speak in tungues
@Gracie M
I know, it's so sad. Christians need to be equipping themselves in God's Word so that they can be ready when the enemy makes his attacks.
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