As many Americans gear up for Spring, Easter celebrations are also on the horizon. Easter, a significant Christian holiday, brings about activities like egg rolls, Easter egg hunts, and lots of chocolate candy. For devout Christians, it is a time to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, with even those who do not regularly attend church dressing up in their finest Easter outfits to join in on the Holy Week celebrations at their local places of worship. However, recent trends indicate that American Christians may be becoming a minority in the United States for the first time in history. Let’s delve into the numbers.
In the 1990s, around 90% of U.S. adults identified as Christians, while today, only two-thirds of U.S. adults do so. Experts predict that by the mid-2030s, fewer than half of Americans will identify as Christians. Additionally, in 2020, the percentage of Americans who were regular members of a house of worship fell below 50%, marking the first time this has happened since the statistic was first measured in 1937. Alongside this, the percentage of Americans with no religious preference rose to 21% in 2020, a significant increase from two decades prior.
The data suggests a decline in religious affiliation in the United States. The Pew Research Center found that about 30% of Americans fall into the category of “nones,” including atheists, agnostics, and those who identify as “nothing in particular.” While many “nones” believe in God or a higher power, they do not attend services. They also acknowledge the good and harm that religion can bring to society but are not necessarily anti-God or anti-religion.
A split has emerged between the spiritual and the religious, with more Americans leaning towards spirituality over organized religion. Many are finding personal connections to faith outside of traditional institutional settings. While some believe there is no need for a physical location to connect with God, the sense of community and shared beliefs in a place of worship is seen as invaluable to many.
As someone who grew up without religious influence, my connection to faith has evolved over time, especially after facing life-threatening situations. Becoming a mother also strengthened my desire for religious community. While personal connections with God are important, gathering with fellow believers and sharing in faith and struggles is a significant part of societal cohesion that should not be overlooked in the United States.
