2017-10-05
There is a growing number of data suggesting America is moving away from its Christian roots, and becoming more secular. What is secularism and what will it mean for the US?  Secularism is defined as an attitude that the government should have no place in religion, and rejects all forms of religion and don’t believe in an afterlife. People who are secular believe they are more tolerant towards gay marriage, equal rights, and a religious free public school system. The trend of people between the ages of 18-30 is moving away from Christianity, partly because of political parties, and the scandals exposed within the church.

Also, with information so readily available online, many are open to leaving religious ties in support of organizations like the Secular Coalition for America, “who serve atheists, agnostics, humanists, freethinkers and other nontheistic.”

A Pew report indicated that there is an increase of more Americans not associated with a religion, and are embracing more secular culture forms found throughout Europe. The study showed 56 million Americans are not affiliated with a particular religion between 2007 and 2014. Pew conducted surveys of those described themselves as agnostics or atheists. Increasing Racial and Ethnic Diversity Within Christianity

Those numbers grew from 16 percent to 23 percent, while Christian followers moved to 70.6 percent from 78.4 percent. People following Catholicism dropped three percent, and mainline Protestants declined. The Millennial generation also has shown less interest for religion, then previous generations.

“As the Millennial generation enters adulthood, its members display much lower levels of religious affiliation, including less connection with Christian churches, than older generations,” according to the Pew Research Center.

Christianly is still the dominate religion. America's changing religious landscape can be read on the Pew Research Center's site.

more from beliefnet and our partners
Close Ad