Thats the conclusion of a new study from the American Enterprise Institute. The share of Americans who attend church regularly is now less than one-in-four, while the share who never attend has increased by eight percentage pointsjust since 2018.
Its the latest in a series of headlines suggesting that (numerically, at least) Christianity is on the decline in the United States. In less than fifty years, Christianity will likely no longer be the majority religion in the United States, according to a recent Pew Research Center report.
Moreover, the last decade has seen more young adults in particular leave organized religions than any time before. In terms of the church in the U.S., a 2020 Barna survey noted: The share of practicing Christians has nearly dropped in half since 2000.
People are giving up on Christianity, writes Daniel Silliman of Christianity Today. They will continue to do so. And if youre trying to predict the future religious landscape in Americathe question is not whether Christianity will decline. Its how fast and how far.
For several years now, the three of us have had a front row seat to the changing dynamics of the American church, especially from the perspective of predominantly white evangelical institutions. Weve been grieved by the conditions cited by those leaving, including scandals that have marred the churchs reputation, high-profile leadership failures, and partisan divisions. Weve watched people we know and love walk away from churches or the Christian faith altogether, with many giving no indication they plan to return.