The Decline

[The Hammer]

"Christianity, the largest religion in the United States, experienced a 20th-century high of 91% of the total population in 1976. This declined to 73.7% by 2016 and 64% in 2022."

Just found this online.

And this other link seems to agree, despite the fact that I'm not a huge fan of Pews questions: In U.S., Decline of Christianity Continues at Rapid Pace



Why is Christianity in decline?

Are these people that were always atheists but now feel free to proclaim so? Are people actively leaving the church behind for better spiritual pursuits (for them)? Is Satan winning?

I have my ideas but I'll leave them at the doorstep for now.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Why is Christianity in decline?

That which resists change is destined to fail.

 

[The Hammer]

That which resists change is destined to fail.

This is a part of the problem for sure.

 

[sun rise]

Why is Christianity in decline?

Let's start with whatever is born sooner or later dies and that includes people, nations and religion. There is a corollary that rigidity leads to an earlier death. We see it in evolution and it applies to institutions as well. So we can ask what features of Christianity is leading it to decline at the current speed in time. That ties in with @SalixIncendium 's point - many Christian churches are doubling down on a rigid view and what is rigid is a corpse.

Pope Francis recognizes this and is striving for a renewal. We'll see whether he succeeds or not.

 

[Secret Chief]

I think there's a bit of a vicious circle going on, between dropping numbers and what psychologists call "mental stuff." Dropping numbers means the remainder are relatively more hardcore so they can come out with even more mental stuff. Likewise, more mental stuff means people get put off their own religion and so are more likely to ditch it. I've thought this for nearly ten minutes.

 

[The Hammer]

In my experience part of the problem is that Christianity at least as it is seen and practiced in the US is more of a brand now, then it is a reasonable theological framework, ideology, philosophy or set of moral codes.

This is what it appears to have become:

Christianity™

 

[Quintessence]

That which resists change is destined to fail.

Is it? Why do these exist then?



Couple hundred million years and still goin'

 

[SalixIncendium]

Is it? Why do these exist then?



Couple hundred million years and still goin'

Irish mice?

 

[ChristineM]

Why is Christianity in decline?

My best friend was on an panel tasked with finding out why this was so in Europe. The answers they arrived at were headed by the internet followed closely by education and the willingness to question

 

[George-ananda]

"Christianity, the largest religion in the United States, experienced a 20th-century high of 91% of the total population in 1976. This declined to 73.7% by 2016 and 64% in 2022."

Just found this online.

And this other link seems to agree, despite the fact that I'm not a huge fan of Pews questions: In U.S., Decline of Christianity Continues at Rapid Pace



Why is Christianity in decline?

Are these people that were always atheists but now feel free to proclaim so? Are people actively leaving the church behind for better spiritual pursuits (for them)? Is Satan winning?

I have my ideas but I'll leave them at the doorstep for now.

My thought is that the biggest reason is the rise in 'spiritual but not religious' thinking.

 

[The Hammer]

Irish mice?

No, Florida rats.

 

[The Hammer]

My thought is that the biggest reason is the rise in 'spiritual but not religious' thinking.

And that's where I run into problems with Pews research methodology.

They never really seem to have an option for those that aren't mainstream abrahamics or the other big 7.

So you end up with a larger percentage of "nones" , because NONE of the options fit.

And spiritual but not religious thinking is on the rise.

 

[sun rise]

In my experience part of the problem is that Christianity at least as it is seen and practiced in the US is more of a brand now, then it is a reasonable theological framework, ideology, philosophy or set of moral codes.

This is what it appears to have become:

Christianity™
View attachment 83859View attachment 83860View attachment 83861View attachment 83862View attachment 83863View attachment 83864View attachment 83865

There are real Christians who follow the Sermon on the Mount and help the poor, those in prison etc. They don't make a lot of noise so it seems that they don't exist unless you happen to know some or the work they quietly do.

 

[The Hammer]

There are real Christians who follow the Sermon on the Mount and help the poor, those in prison etc. They don't make a lot of noise so it seems that they don't exist unless you happen to know some or the work they quietly do.

Absolutely. But as they say, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Or One bad apple ruins the bunch.

Whether or not the above crowd is a small minority or not. They are the loudest contributors to the discussion, we see it here with the Hardline biblical literalists.

 

[Twilight Hue]

"Christianity, the largest religion in the United States, experienced a 20th-century high of 91% of the total population in 1976. This declined to 73.7% by 2016 and 64% in 2022."

Just found this online.

And this other link seems to agree, despite the fact that I'm not a huge fan of Pews questions: In U.S., Decline of Christianity Continues at Rapid Pace



Why is Christianity in decline?

Are these people that were always atheists but now feel free to proclaim so? Are people actively leaving the church behind for better spiritual pursuits (for them)? Is Satan winning?

I have my ideas but I'll leave them at the doorstep for now.

People leave because it just doesn't work anymore.

With advances in science, more wake up to the fact that many beliefs are actually ridiculous and embarrassing , and realize that the truth of the matter no longer lays with the religion and its sheer ineffectiveness.

 

[The Hammer]

People leave because it just doesn't work anymore.

With advances in science, more wake up to the fact that many beliefs are actually ridiculous and embarrassing , and realize that the truth of the matter no longer lays with the religion and its sheer ineffectiveness.

This may play a small part of it. But it completely negates that the Spiritual but not religious crowds are a growing trend too. And that Islam is making its headways as the next Global religion.

So people aren't abandoning their old habits for more "scientifically sound" ones (whatever that means).

 

[Twilight Hue]

"Christianity, the largest religion in the United States, experienced a 20th-century high of 91% of the total population in 1976. This declined to 73.7% by 2016 and 64% in 2022."

Just found this online.

And this other link seems to agree, despite the fact that I'm not a huge fan of Pews questions: In U.S., Decline of Christianity Continues at Rapid Pace



Why is Christianity in decline?

Are these people that were always atheists but now feel free to proclaim so? Are people actively leaving the church behind for better spiritual pursuits (for them)? Is Satan winning?

I have my ideas but I'll leave them at the doorstep for now.

People leave because it just doesn't work anymore.

With advances in science, more wake up to the fact that many beliefs are actually ridiculous and embarrassing , and realize that the truth of the matter no longer lays with the religion and its sheer ineffectiveness.

 

[Twilight Hue]

This may play a small part of it. But it completely negates that the Spiritual but not religious crowds are a growing trend too. And that Islam is making its headways as the next Global religion.

So people aren't abandoning their old habits for more "scientifically sound" ones (whatever that means).

Islam is hardly an elective religion.

Many are forced under threat of consequences hence the 'growth'.

 

[Orbit]

"Christianity, the largest religion in the United States, experienced a 20th-century high of 91% of the total population in 1976. This declined to 73.7% by 2016 and 64% in 2022."

Just found this online.

And this other link seems to agree, despite the fact that I'm not a huge fan of Pews questions: In U.S., Decline of Christianity Continues at Rapid Pace



Why is Christianity in decline?

Are these people that were always atheists but now feel free to proclaim so? Are people actively leaving the church behind for better spiritual pursuits (for them)? Is Satan winning?

I have my ideas but I'll leave them at the doorstep for now.

I was just at a conference with the Pew people this weekend. They do actually have numbers for pagans in that survey (0.3%). For reference, Orthodox Christians come in at 0.5%.

I was presenting a paper on some survey research I did on pagans’ experiences of discrimination in the U.S. The sample size was pretty small (about 250) but it’s more data than anyone else has on the subject. If you’re interested ping me in Discord and I’ll upload it.

 

[LuisDantas]

Why is Christianity in decline?

Are these people that were always atheists but now feel free to proclaim so? Are people actively leaving the church behind for better spiritual pursuits (for them)? Is Satan winning?

Christianity is in decline mainly because it just tries way too hard to convince itself that it already is something that it actively avoids becoming. Because it is a stubborn creed and dares its own followers to find better options. Turns out that some do.

I don't think the average Christian even has the incentive to find out whether he is a believer. Most churches and even families are not interested in making that question, but rather in avoiding or even ridiculing it. The main force keeping Christianity whole and alive isn't belief in Jesus, but instead willingness to be part of a social group that is expected to be suportive without asking too many questions or being too controlling.

Most people who leave Christian churches apparently are not unbelievers, just unconfortable with the realities of the actual churches and how they reflect on their social lives and heatfelt feelings. It is not unusual for them to feel that their former churches cause too much division and unpleasant criticism for no obvious good reason. Whether they still consider themselves Christians after choosing to be apart from any churches I don't know; if I have to guess, most of them don't really know either and often don't much care either.

I find that state of things regrettable. A well-maintained, well-cared Church can be and should be a marvelous asset to its community. But it is very true that many of the most visible churches don't qualify far as I can tell.