Christianity’s Weakening Social Precedence
The decline of Christianity and the rise of atheism in recent years is a trend seemingly unmatched in human history. The Pew Research Center has found that the US population in 2010 was 226 million people, 100 million fewer people than in 2011 who identified as a Christian. Also, the share of the US population who declare themselves as atheists rose from 12% to 19%. It appears to be an inevitability that within a few decades, the number of evangelical Christians and churchgoers will be drastically decreased.
The decrease in Christian believers is further highlighted by a lack of acceptance within the large population. This divergence from once traditional religious beliefs can be seen in the growing number of people who subscribe to other denominations or nonreligious beliefs. A Gallup poll found that 57% of Americans now call themselves non-religious or non-dominated, up from 41% in 2002. Despite this, the most visible form of public worship remains Christianity, suggesting it’s waning presence but lasting acceptance.
Reasoning Behind The Decline
Various religious and secular groups have argued the cause of this decrease in Christian belief. Some religious experts and scholars point to inadequate investigation of Christianity’s foundations, while others contend that churches are unable to fully capture the attention of people who prefer more contemporary religious philosophies. Indeed, increasing awareness of scientific advancement and progressive social ideals has seemingly caused a greater disconnect between Christianity’s established beliefs and the ideals of the modern population. It is also possible that people are more inclined to distance themselves from the associations of outdated religious beliefs that the public view associate with negativity.
Furthermore, many of those who have began to deny religious doctrines have often expressed anxiety regarding what they feel as the pressure of contemporary religious entities. This pressure, expressed in the forms of evangelism or the missionary field, has led some to view the practice of Christianity as a coercive endeavor, further distancing themselves from the faith.
A Shift Towards Secularism
It appears that the primary trend in the US is a shift away from conventional religious doctrine and towards secularism. The transformation of the public has led to a reshaping of organized religion as well. Despite efforts of some churches to reform to better suit the ideals of the public, a great majority have deemed it as unwelcome and unwanted.
The current outlook appears bleak for Christianity, with a steadily increasing number of people rejecting its teachings. For the remainder of those who do practice or consider the religion, there is a clear need for the Christianity to modify itself in order to better respond to the changing public perception and educate people on its past successes and justifications for current practices.
Government Interference
In some cases, government interference can contribute to the decrease in Christian belief. This interference can range from laws being passed limiting religious expression, to outright banning of the religion’s practices. In 2015, Kazakhstan’s government passed a law banning all Christian churches, leading to hundreds of churches shutting down within a few months. This shows how the government can directly control how Christianity can be practiced, leading to a decrease in Christian believers.
Other countries, such as China, have also taken the role of interfering with the practice of Christianity. By forcing churches to conform to the atheists’ standards and beliefs, these governments have caused a rift in the church and hampered the church’s ability to unify and lead its members. This divide has caused a decrease in the power of the Church, derailing its ability to recruit new members.
New Replacements for Christianity
One possible explanation for the growing number of non-believers can possibly be attributed to a replacement of religious beliefs. A shift in ideologies may have caused some individuals to decide to begin perceiving the world without the previously established religious framework. This phenomenon is noticeably linked to the rise of new spiritual, philosophical and atheistic belief systems. In the US, the belief in angels and supernatural powers is growing , with 25% of adults claiming to have contact with a spirit or angel compared to 25% back in 1997, according to a survey conducted by the Barna Group.
In addition, the modern era’s feeling of returning to nature and the consequent adoration of organic resources are beginning to replace traditional religious values, drastically altering the religious landscape. This can be seen in the fast-growing recognition of native religions, the encompassing of non-traditional beliefs, and the respect of and favor with LGBTQ+ populations. Altogether, these underlying ideas seemingly promote non-religious lifestyles and beliefs, continuing the secular surge.
Impact of Technology on Christianity
The impact of technology in the digital era for society is undeniable, and this holds true for the effect of technology on Christianity as well. With the advent of cutting-edge technology, individuals now have access to the worldly knowledge with a single click, making it easier for those who are seeking a higher understanding of the world to begin diverging away from traditional religious beliefs. As this technology has begun to flourish, religious beliefs have become increasingly exposed. The ability to research and explore conflicting views has made Christianity more open to views of criticism and doubt.
Social media also plays a crucial role in the impact of technology on Christianity. Studies have shown that people aged 18-24, the primary users of various forms of social media, are the least likely to identify as Christian. This could be attributed to the more casual nature of communication on these platforms, as well as to the influx of secular content. In other words, social media circulates the cultural narrative that focuses mainly on technological advancement and none on religious principles, replacing the historical Christian influence.
Implications for Christianity’s Future
Though the outlook for Christianity may seem bleak, it can be argued that the religion will endure some adaptation in the coming years, allowing it to remain relevant in the face of the ever changing world. However, there is no clarity as to the specific form or expression the religion will take in order for it to remain sustainable. Now more than ever, Christianity faces an uphill battle against the changing social landscape, and only time will tell how the religion will continue to shape itself.
For those within the Christian community, the challenge of maintaining relevance has been addressed in various ways. A significant number of churches are beginning to embrace technology in order to reach younger generations, while others focus on offering alternative forms of worship while still adhering to the core values practiced throughout Christian history. Churches also have begun to focus on promoting social justice movements, seeing as many non-religious individuals seek out community involvement as a substitute for traditional worship.
Increased scrutiny of Christianity
The decrease in Christian belief is not the only factor leading to its gradual weakness. Christianity is currently facing increased scrutiny in the form of both the media and the public. This is due to a combination of a few factors. Growing numbers of lawsuits against the church, along with recent events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have encouraged a degree of scrutiny of church leadership and practices.Aside from ethical concerns, increasing numbers of campaigns against the church have called into question the Church’s responsibility around the world, pointing to a lack of accountability in many cases.
Additionally, the negative light cast on Christianity by the media frequently fuels public tension towards the religion. Many people have pointed to the media’s bias in covering issues towards Christianity and the Catholic Church, further contributing to a cloud of doubt surrounding the religion.
The Impact of Power Struggles
The decision to remain faithful to traditional values and to adhere to the authority of Church leadership have become points of contention within the Christian community. With the concentration of power in the hands of few, some have questioned the efficacy of allowing this authority to remain, noting that the church’s reluctance to embrace alternative forms of faith has limited its ability to foster a sense of unity.For this reason, some leave the Church, citing their belief in a more unified, diverse faith that they may not be able to find within the Catholic Church.
In the past century, clashes between the powerful and the weak have also increasingly been on the spotlight, particularly through the emergence of populist movements in the US and other parts of the world. This has drawn attention to the practices of the Christian church as an institution, which in many cases has been a source of power and control.Due to the failings of the Church in regards to its members, many have become less inclined to follow the Church’s teachings. Instead, they have taken a more personal approach to religion or spirituality and begun to rely more heavily on alternative forms of faith.
