Diversity Statistics -- December 2011

Modern-day believers pick their own religious routes

Olivia Zech and Barbara Deane

In reference to the 2008 results of The Pew Forum On Religion and Public Life, approximately 28% of all Americans abandoned the faith in which they were brought up with; at one point, each subject either recommitted to a different religion, or chose to pursue no practice at all. This trend is not only continuing today, but suggests why organized religion is seemingly losing its stature with almost one-third of the American population.

As American society continues to be individually driven with liberal principles, citizens are demonstrating a new kind of autonomy that strays from organized religion. Most of the nation genuinely believes in some kind of higher power, and continues to be religious in one way or another, yet of that percentage, only 56% commend it. Meaning, only about one half of practicing Americans find their religion to be “very important” compared to other aspects of their lives.

Young adults are tending to partake of different religions than their parents, though no hard evidence exists to explain why this is happening. However, young people who were not raised to believe a certain way seem less resistant to organized religion. Consequently, there appears to be a correlation with modern young people becoming more inclined to religion if he or she was brought up without such formalities.

Religion and Today’s Young People:

• 25% of 18 to 29-year-olds expressed that they are not affiliated with any religion at this time. 
• Affiliation with the Catholic religion has decreased the most out of all organized religions, as less than 24% of the nation is currently Catholic, compared to 31% from the previous generation.
• 12.1% of the adult population explained their religion as “nothing in particular.”

Only 5% of the nation claimed to not believe in God or any type of greater power at all. This minority contrasts the 95% of those that at least consider a higher power, spirit or existence. To further delve into the matter, the importance of religion in an American citizen's life is less so revered than the actual belief in God or “universal spirit”. For instance, Evangelical Churches have a 90% certainty of God, yet only 79% value the religion as significant to their lives.

Though many are defying the custom of adhering to his or her family religion, and some are rejecting organized religion entirely, most Americans are still articulating some form of faith.

Belief in God or Universal Spirit and Importance of Religion in a Person's Life in the United States:

73% of people attending Mainline Churches indicate their belief in God is absolutely certain, yet only 52% of them say religion is very important in a person's life, and another 35% say religion is only somewhat important.

Catholics mirror more the Mainline Churches' attendees; 72% of Catholics hold an absolutely certain belief in God, yet only 56% rate religion as very important in a person's life, while another 34% say religion is somewhat important in their lives.

Muslims are somewhat more consistent: 82% report their belief in God is absolutely certain, but only 72% say religion is very important in a person's life, and 18% say it is somewhat important.

Attendees of Historically Black Churches are more consistent with 90% saying their belief in God is absolutely certain, and 85% indicate that religion is very important in a person's life.

Attendees in Evangelical Churches report a 90% belief in God is absolutely certain, while 79% indicate religion is very important in a person's life.

Jews stand apart: only 41% report their belief in God is absolutely certain and only 31% and 41% respectively say religion is important or somewhat important in a person's life.

The U.S. national average of all religions indicate that 71% indicate their belief in God is absolutely certain, yet only 56% say that religion is important in a person's life.

Source:
http://religions.pewforum.org/comparisons#