Christianity remains the dominant faith in the U.S., study finds

While all major branches of Protestantism have seen a decrease in numbers, Catholicism has remained relatively stable. Photo: Christian Today

Christianity remains the dominant faith in the United States despite ongoing shifts in religious affiliation, according to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, as reported by Christian Today.

The survey of 37,000 Americans, conducted in 2023 and 2024, found that 62% of adults still identify as Christian. Although this marks a decline from 78% in 2007, the downward trend appears to be stabilizing, the report suggests.

The study highlights significant changes in religious identity over the past two decades. While all major branches of Protestantism have seen declines in numbers, Catholicism has remained relatively stable, now representing 19% of the population.

Evangelical Protestants make up 23%, down slightly from 26%, while mainline Protestants now account for 11%, compared to 18% in 2007.

Meanwhile, nearly 30% of Americans now identify as religiously unaffiliated, meaning they consider themselves atheists, agnostics, or individuals without a specific religious identity. This shift is particularly prominent among younger generations, with many who were raised in non-religious households continuing on that path into adulthood.

Political affiliation is also playing an increasing role in religious identity. In 2007, nearly two-thirds of liberal Americans identified as Christians, but today that number has dropped to just over one-third. The decline among conservatives is much less pronounced but still noticeable.

Christians also continue to make up a significant portion of immigrants to the U.S., with nearly six in ten newcomers identifying as followers of Christ.

The study also revealed a shift in gender dynamics within religious communities. Historically, women have been more religious than men, attending worship services and praying more frequently. In 2007, the percentage of women who prayed daily exceeded that of men by 17 percentage points. Today, that gap has narrowed to 13 points.

"While Christianity in the US has undergone significant change, it still remains a major force in American life," the study states.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that a U.S. professor believes that the crisis of faith may lead AI to take on moral decision-making.

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