Decline of Mainline Protestants in America
Mainline Protestant denominations, such as Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, Presbyterians and Episcopalians, have traditionally been a large and influential part of American life. But the sheer size and influence of these denominations have been dwindling in recent years, and this calls into question the current influence of Christianity in America.
The numbers tell a powerful story: Between 1999 and 2019, the population of Mainline Protestants in the United States fell from 20.3 percent of the population to 14.7 percent, a decrease of almost 25 percent. This is despite the fact that overall, the population of the United States increased by over 15 percent during the same period. The decrease in Mainline Protestants has been mirrored by an increase in evangelical denominations, from 10.8 percent of the population to 14.3 percent.
The cause of these shifts is complex, and experts point to a number of factors that may have had a hand in it. First, Mainline Protestant denominations have seen a steady decline in church attendance over the past few decades. As church membership has waned, church attendance has dropped, leading some to question if mainliners are actually living out their faith — or if they have moved away from it.
At the same time, the growing number of younger adults leaving the church could also play a role. Millennials and Gen-Zers have been leaving churches in droves, and experts believe this could be a factor in the decline of Mainline Protestantism.
Additionally, some experts have speculated that a societal shift away from traditional values and practices in favor of a more liberal worldview may have also contributed to Mainline Protestantism’s decline. As liberal ideologies become more mainstream, it could be that Mainline Protestantism loses appeal to some.
Finally, the rise of alternative forms of worship such as online churches and “seeker churches,” which tend to appeal to people who are skeptical of more traditional forms of Christianity, may also play a role.
Decline of Catholicism in America
The Roman Catholic Church has long been an important part of the religious landscape in America. But over the last two decades, the Catholic Church has seen a significant decline in membership and influence. According to the Pew Research Center, the number of Catholics in the U.S. has fallen from 24.4 percent of the population in 1999 to 20.8 percent in 2019 — a decrease of nearly 15 percent.
Experts believe that part of the cause for the decrease lies in the Church’s stance on some moral issues. As public opinion on such topics as same-sex marriage, abortion, and contraception has shifted, so has the number of people who identify as Catholic. This can be seen in the increased acceptance of same-sex marriage in the U.S. over the past decade. Additionally, the Catholic Church’s handling of the clerical sexual abuse scandal in recent years could also factor into its declining membership.
At the same time, the American Catholic Church has also experienced a decrease in attendance at weekly Mass. This could be due to changes in Church liturgy — younger generations may have difficulties connecting with the more traditional practices — or to the Church’s focus on traditional moral values, which may be perceived as out of step with younger generations’ worldview.
Additionally, the rise of alternative religious movements such as the new age movement and “cafeteria-style” Christianity, where people take from different religions to create their own personalized spiritual practices, could also be a contributing factor.
Finally, the Catholic Church’s strict stance on issues such as abortion and artificial contraception could also be a turn-off for some.
Decline of Christian Denominations as a Whole
That Christianity is declining in the United States is hardly a new phenomenon. For decades, Christian denominations of all kinds have seen a steady decline in church attendance and membership. Today, Christians make up 70.6 percent of the American population—down from 78 percent in 1999.
There a number of complex causes for this decline. One is the trend of “spiritual searching” among younger generations, who have been largely leaving churches in the search of more spiritual fulfillment than traditional Christian denominations have, to their minds, been able to offer. Additionally, the rise of non-Christian faiths — such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam — in the United States could also be a factor.
Experts agree that the changing demographics of the United States may also be contributing to the decrease in the number of Christians. Immigration to the U.S. over the past 20 years has been largely from countries where Christianity is not the dominant religion — meaning fewer Christians enter the country every year. This trend is expected to continue, and could have a significant impact on the Christianity-influenced culture of the United States.
Finally, changes in values and behavior could also be impacting Christianity’s influence in America. As society moves away from traditional moral values, the Church’s teachings become less and less relevant to younger generations—making them less likely to believe in, or even attend, a church.
Is Christianity Dying Out in America?
The numbers don’t paint a encouraging picture for Christianity in the United States. For decades, the number of people identifying as Christian has been decreasing, and Mainline Protestant and Catholic denominations have seen particularly abrupt drops in attendance and membership.
However, it would be premature to say that Christianity is dying out in America. Clearly, there are still many people who adhere to traditional Christian beliefs and practice. Additionally, evangelical Protestant denominations, which fared better than mainline denominations in recent years, still remain a powerful force in American society and politics.
That being said, Christianity is undeniably in a precarious position in the United States. In addition to the declining numbers, many of the denominations are facing a crisis of relevancy. As younger generations become less and less connected to traditional religious institutions, more attention needs to be paid to finding ways to make the Church more accessible and relevant to them.
Changes in Attitudes Towards Christianity in America
As the numbers of Christians have declined over the years, attitudes of Americans towards Christianity have also shifted. According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, a majority of Americans now perceive the influence of Christianity in America to be waning, with 55 percent of respondents believing that Christianity’s influence is declining and only 32 percent believing that it is increasing.
This shift in public opinion has been driven by both the changing culture in the United States and the actions of the Church itself. As liberal values and beliefs become more mainstream, for example, it seems that the Church has become less open to changing its stance on issues such as same-sex marriage, which may make it appear less relevant to many. Additionally, the Church’s handling of controversial issues, such as the sexual abuse scandal, could also be shooting itself in the foot in terms of public opinion.
Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on Christianity in America
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a unique challenge to churches across the United States. As authorities have ordered people to stay at home and limit physical contact, going to church has become difficult or impossible for many.
The resulting decrease in church attendance has been dramatic. Surveys conducted by the Pew Research Center have shown that the number of people attending their congregations has gone down by nearly 20 percent between February and May 2020. Additionally, many churches that have kept their doors open have seen decreased attendance as people are either unable or unwilling to risk potential exposure.
At the same time, some churches have adapted to the new normal by using technology for online sermons and other activities. While this adaptation has been impressive, it is unlikely that it can replace the emotional impact of physical church attendance or the sense of community that it creates.
Role of Traditional Churches in Modern Society
In the face of declining membership and Christianity’s waning influence in the United States, it is important to remember that, for many, the church continues to play an important role in daily life. Churches are not only a space for people to practice and celebrate their faith, but also a place for community gatherings, events, and support.
That being said, as times change and new generations of Americans come into the fold, it is clear that the Church needs to begin to cater to their needs and beliefs as well. If traditional churches want to remain relevant and become an important part of modern society, they need to learn to adapt their practices and beliefs in order to remain appealing to younger generations.
Will Christianity Survive in the United States?
The near future for Christianity in the United States is uncertain. With the number of Christians continuing to decline and public opinion of religion shifting, the fate of the Church in America is in question.
While Christianity remains a powerful force in the United States, it is clear that changes need to be made in order to survive in the long run. Churches will have to adapt their practices and beliefs in order to remain relevant and attractive to new generations — while still staying true to their core values.
Only time will tell if the Church can find a way to survive in an ever-changing world.
While Christianity remains a powerful force in the United States, it is clear that changes need to be made in order to survive in the long run. Churches will have to adapt their practices and beliefs in order to remain relevant and attractive to new generations — while still staying true to their core values.
Only time will tell if the Church can find a way to survive in an ever-changing world.
