American Christian values are in a state of flux and have been for some time. As a nation, we have contested the ideals that have traditionally been associated with Christianity, many of which have formed the cultural and moral foundations of the United States. As society has developed, the relevance of these principles has become lessened and in some cases been replaced by new ones. The matter before us is whether the faith has failed to keep up with our changing times or if it has instead evolved to meet the needs of our ever-changing world. In today’s article, we will assess the state of Christianity in America, explore some of its changing values and seek to answer the question: Has American Christianity failed?
One of the foundational arguments in considering the question of whether American Christianity has failed is that Christianity has been in decline in the United States. While it is difficult to make blanket statements about the beliefs of Americans collectively, the data does support this notion. According to Gallup, the percentage of the population identifying as Christian fell from 78% in 2008 to 70% in 2018. This shift can be attributed to people migrating away from religion in favor of newer, more secular beliefs and ideas. Many attribute this to a growth in diversity in the United States, which has broadened the range of worldviews of citizens.
Despite this declining trend, experts have proposed that American Christianity has been effective in adapting to its changing environment. Discussions around this premise often focus on how the faith has remained relevant even in new contexts, shifting the language and behavior of believers to better suit their situation. For example, religious organizations have increased their use of digital and social media – an unprecedented development considering their reluctance to access such networks a decade prior. This shows American Christianity’s remarkable ability to evolve and stay relevant in the digital age.
Some also argue that there has been a growth in more personal and intimate expressions of faith, such as one’s relationship with God that eludes most other tenets of the faith. This could be attributed to the growing privatization of faith in the United States – an essential factor that has allowed Christianity to remain valid even in the face of secularization. This provides Christians with the opportunity to tap into their individual spirituality without feeling the pressure of upholding public values and standards.
At the same time, many believe that this evolution has caused certain aspects of Christianity to be watered down in order to be more inclusive and acceptable to the public. This could be a possible explanation for the lack of enthusiasm for the faith in comparison to its early days and is seen by some as a sign that Christianity in America has been ‘Americanized’ and has lost some of its original power and strength.
Conservative and Liberal Views
When considering the question of whether American Christianity has failed, it’s important to consider the views of both conservative and liberal Christians. On the one hand, conservatives often argue that the faith has become too watered down, claiming that aspects like religious liberty, the traditional nuclear family and even the Ten Commandments have been forsaken in exchange for a more secularized and relativistic approach to religion.
On the other hand, liberals suggest that American Christianity has been successful in adapting to the changing times and has been able to present a message that speaks to an audience that is more diverse and progressive. For instance, liberal Christianity has seen a surge in support for LGBTQ rights, social justice and racial equality – issues not traditionally found in conservative circles. As such, progressive Christians might argue that American Christianity has shown it is capable of responding to the demands of society effectively.
The Impact of Globalization
Globalization can also be seen as a contributing factor in the decline of American Christianity. As American believers become more exposed to different faith traditions and beliefs, the question is raised as to whether it is still appropriate to consider Christianity to be the exclusive faith of the country. For many, the faith has become increasingly complex and diverse, requiring some to reevaluate their spirituality, particularly as it relates to church attendance and traditional religious practices.
The influx of immigrants from countries all over the world – countries that have different religious identities – has meant that America is home to many different faiths and beliefs, a cultural reality that may challenge the long-held belief of America as a ‘Christian nation’. This may force the discussion around what it means to be Christian in the United States and how that plays into the values and beliefs of the nation as a whole.
The Rise of Evangelicalism
One of the most visible shifts in American Christianity is the rise of Evangelicalism. The emergence of this movement, led by prominent leaders such as Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and others, had far-reaching implications for the American religious landscape. It introduced the idea that faith should be publicly and actively professed, no matter one’s beliefs. This pushed Christians to be more vocal in their faith and take a more active role in public debates.
Partly due to the rise of this movement, as well as the Christian right as a whole, issues like abortion and same-sex marriage became wedge issues in the political arena, dividing the nation along religious lines. As such, the faith of many Americans took on a new importance, becoming the public battle line for many contentious debates.
Political Influence
One of the most debated aspects of American Christianity is its role in politics. Through groups like the Moral Majority, evangelicals in particular have become a powerful force in American politics, providing the momentum for candidates like Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush to pursue policies in line with conservative Christian ideology. In recent years, this has bred a type of ‘Christian nationalism’, with believers insisting that American laws should reflect Christian values.
This has lead to criticism that such a narrow view of faith is incompatible with the American Constitution, which enshrines religious freedom as a right of all citizens. Further, opponents suggest that this type of political power encourages practitioners to prioritize their own beliefs over those of others, something they believe is counter to the spirit of the Christian message.
Evangelical Splits and Controversies
As mentioned, the evangelical movement has also been met with controversy as splits have occurred within the movement itself. This can be attributed to the changing values of younger generations, or ‘Millennial Christians’, when compared to the rigid beliefs and principles preached by older generations.
For example, a growing number of evangelicals have taken the stance that homosexuality is not a sin and that same-sex relationships can, in fact, be considered ‘traditional’ in the eyes of the faith. Further, a more vocal support of Black Lives Matter and other social justice causes has led some to question the link between the Christian faith and conservatism. As such, many conservatives have claimed that the faith has become politicized, straying away from its original values.
Power of Social Media
Finally, the power of social media platforms has roiled the waters of American Christianity. Today, religious organizations have flocked to these networks, seeking to capitalize on their reach and their ability to quickly disseminate information. This has created a mainstream Christian voice in the public sphere, prompting members of different denominations to debate in the digital space, leading to both debates and confusion.
Social media users, many of whom believe themselves to be devout Christians, often do not filter their words and can be particularly harsh towards those with opposing views. This has been a source of tension, though experts contend that it can lead to a more honest and nuanced conversation about the faith, promoting understanding and cooperation in the process.
Side Effects of the Transformation
Changes in American Christianity have had unintended side effects, as well. The shift away from traditional beliefs has emboldened Christian ‘skeptics’, leading to more vocal critiques of the faith itself and its supposed hypocrisy in various matters. This has caused some to become disillusions with the religion, while others remain unconvinced by its message.
At the same time, the transformation of American Christianity has also lead to a sense of disillusionment among some long-time believers, prompting them to question the very principles of their faith. This could be attributed to the perception that the church has become too corporate and focused on financial gain, or that it has become too accepting of divergent ideologies and thereby lessened its impact.
Own Insights and Analysis
To answer the question of whether American Christianity has failed, one must first assess the evidence. On the one hand, there is evidence of Christianity’s decline in the United States and the increasing secularization of its values. On the other, there is an increasing trend of adaptation and an effort to meet the demands of an ever-changing world.
Ultimately, it can be argued that the faith has managed to remain relevant even in the face of modernity by shifting the language and behavior of believers to better suit their situation. This evolution has allowed for more personal expressions of faith and even a diversification of beliefs. However, this shift has also upset many believers, leading to a sense of disillusionment and confusion.
It is thus impossible to make a definitive statement about the state of American Christianity – it is, ultimately, subject to the opinions and beliefs of its practitioners. As such, this debate will likely continue for many years to come, as believers navigate their way through the turbulent waters of a quickly-evolving faith.
