Gallup on the Decreasing Numbers of Self-Identified Christians in America

Monday December 28, 2009 ~ 6 Comments

Interesting numbers coming out of Gallup.com this Christmas season, pointing out that while the United States continues to be dominated by people who align themselves with some form of "Christianity" (it's almost 8 out of 10), the number of self-identified Christians has been decreasing for five decades. In 1948, 91% of Americans identified with a Christian faith. In 1989, 82% of Americans identified as Christian. Ten years ago, it was 84%. This year, it's down to 78% of all American adults who identify with a Christian faith. Many are choosing not to identity with any particular religion. But as the Frank Newport explains in his Gallup.com article,

The fact that fewer Americans say they have a religious identity does not necessarily mean there has been a decrease in overall religiosity in America. It is possible that some proportion of those who don't identify with a specific religion are still personally or spiritually religious.

And, be sure to read the January issue of Christianity Today for my article, "Chicken Little Was Wrong," on good verse bad religious statistics. (It is not available online.)

The full article is 2000 words, but this part speaks to the fact that about 3/4 Americans identify as Christians-- and that number is declining. Here is the excerpt:

If three out of four Americans call themselves Christians, we're all in big trouble - because three out of four Americans don't live like Christians. Christianity becomes confused when everyone is a Christian but no one is following Christ...

There is little doubt in my mind that the cultural expression of Christianity in America is declining. True, Christianity is losing its "home field advantage" in North America. At the same time, however, some trends tell us we are seeing the growth of a more robust Christian faith and commitment.

The story of American Christianity today, in my view, is that we are seeing the abandonment of nominal Christianity by some but the retention of a robust, authentic Christian faith by many.

Head on over the Gallup.com and read the article, and come back here to discuss.

Posted on December 28, 2009 at 5:37 PM ~ 6 Comments

Tagged with: christianity, culture, research

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6 Comments

By Clayton Bell on December 29, 2009 12:57 PM

I also think there's less cultural pressure to say you're a Christian, so people who never were before but always said they were because it more more culturally accepted now say what they always really were.

Boy, that's a long sentence...

By Derek Webster on December 29, 2009 1:58 PM

America is going the way of Europe. The good news: in a world where people are increasingly honest about whom (or what) they actually follow, Jesus stands head and shoulders above the other options. The Christian community must relearn what it means to thrive in a world that marginalizes faith.

By Davidin nashville on December 29, 2009 2:02 PM

I think the problem is that the pulpit is not hot. It used to be "thus said the Lord", today it is the quote from someone who is supposed to be a big shot. The vision, discipline and purpose of Christianity is lost in an easy belief system, thus we have a name, but no meaning.

By Andrew on December 29, 2009 2:31 PM

That's still a heck of a lot of people compared with most countries

By Derek Webster on December 29, 2009 3:05 PM

David, I fear I'm going to have to disagree with your assertion slightly. I think there are many people still using the phrase. The difficulty doesn't lie on the side of proclamation, but rather, the life that the proclamation is supposed to demonstrate. Truthfully, many would say they've "tried" Christianity, but find it lacking. This isn't due to a lack of belief in God, His glory, or even His power. It is due to a lack of belief that He indwells, transforms, and fills.

Many seek to be the minor prophet. Few seek to be the devoted disciple.

By David on December 30, 2009 2:21 PM

Anything that can contribute to, or heralds the sign of, the death of NOMINAL Christian belief is to be embraced with open arms and much rejoicing by the Body of Christ.

As far as I'm concerned, the death of this particular cultural vestige cannot come soon enough!

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