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It’s hard to tell if the stabilization of religious decline means that Christianity is making a comeback, but one thing is clear: Americans are looking for hope, the fields are ripe for the harvest, and Christians everywhere need to be sharing the Gospel.
The Pew Research Center has released the results of a new study suggesting that the decades-long decline in the number of Americans identifying as Christian has slowed and may have stabilized.
“It’s very striking to us to have observed this recent trend in stability over a long period of decline,” said Greg Smith, senior associate director of research at Pew Research Center.
The study is part of Pew’s ongoing effort to track religious affiliation in the United States. Previous studies have shown a consistent drop in Christian identification, but the latest findings indicate that this trend may be leveling off. Between 2018 and 2021, the Christian share of the population declined more rapidly, but since then, the numbers appear to have stabilized.
At the same time, the percentage of Americans who identify as religiously unaffiliated — often referred to as “nones” — has increased significantly. In 2007, 16 percent of Americans identified as atheist, agnostic, or “nothing in particular.” In the most recent survey, that number had risen to 29 percent.
This shift has been especially pronounced among younger generations. Among adults aged 18 to 29, 45 percent identify as Christian, while 44 percent are religiously unaffiliated. The data suggests that younger generations are significantly less likely to be involved in religious practices than older generations, a pattern observed in previous studies.
“The youngest group is 34 points less Christian compared to the oldest group,” Smith said.
Religious affiliation among middle-aged and older Americans remains higher, with Baby Boomers and members of the Silent Generation being more likely to continue identifying with Christianity. The ongoing generational replacement, where younger nonreligious Americans gradually replace older religious ones in the population, continues to influence the broader trend.
The study also highlights regional differences in religious identity. Southern states, traditionally strongholds of Christianity, have seen declines, but continue to have higher-than-average Christian affiliation rates.
In Georgia, 67 percent of residents identify as Christian, compared to 79 percent in 2014 and 85 percent in 2007. Like the national trend, Georgia’s Christian population has stabilized in the past four years.
Pennsylvania has experienced a similar shift, with 62 percent identifying as Christian in 2024, compared to 73 percent in 2014. While these states still have Christian majorities, their decline mirrors national patterns.
The West Coast and parts of the Northeast continue to have some of the highest rates of religious non-affiliation. In states like Oregon and Washington, “nones” now represent a significant portion of the population, sometimes exceeding those who identify as Christian.
Religious switching, or changing religious affiliation, has played a major role in shaping these trends. According to the Pew study, approximately 35 percent of American adults report switching religions.
Many of those who were raised Christian have moved away from the faith, contributing to the rise of religiously unaffiliated Americans. In contrast, some Americans who were not raised Christian have converted to Christianity.
A key factor behind religious switching is shifting cultural attitudes. Surveys have shown that many young adults find organized religion less relevant to their lives and increasingly identify as “spiritual but not religious.” The growing secularization in education and social institutions has also contributed to a more religiously diverse landscape.
Despite the overall decline in Christian identification, certain groups within the U.S. population continue to have strong religious ties.
Black Protestants remain a stable and influential religious demographic. While overall Christian affiliation has declined, black churches have continued to play an important role in their communities. Hispanic Americans also maintain relatively high rates of religious affiliation, with many identifying as Catholic or Protestant. Younger Hispanic generations, however, show higher levels of non-affiliation.
The Pew study also examined religious attendance and engagement beyond self-identification. While a majority of Americans still identify as Christian, fewer report attending church services regularly.
Only about 40 percent of U.S. adults say they attend religious services at least once a month, a decline from previous decades. For young adults, church attendance is even lower, though some evangelical and non-denominational Christian communities have maintained relatively steady attendance numbers.
Recent trends in church attendance were also surveyed in a 2024 Gallup study.
“What percentage of churchgoing people attend regularly depends on your threshold for what you consider regular attendance,” Gallup reported last year. “If once a week, only 20% of Americans attend church at that rate, down from 32% in 2000. If we lower the threshold to once a month or more, the number of Americans in regular attendance jumps to 41%.”
While the slowdown in Christianity’s decline suggests potential stabilization or even spiritual awakening, it remains uncertain whether the trend will continue. Some researchers believe the current phase may be temporary, with further declines possible in the years ahead. Others suggest that the stabilization of Christian identification could be an indication of religious resilience or even a coming revival or spiritual awakening.
The Pew Research Center’s 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study’s findings have significant implications for Christian leaders and others seeking to increase the impact of the Gospel. While the decades-long decline of Christianity in America has slowed, younger generations remain less engaged in some traditional religious practices. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for individual believers, churches, and Christian organizations to adapt their approaches to faith engagement.
One key takeaway is the importance of intentional outreach to younger generations. Since nearly half of adults aged 18-29 are religiously unaffiliated, churches and Christian organizations should consider ways to make faith more relevant and accessible to them.
Digital engagement, social media presence, and updated worship settings may help bridge the gap between younger people and religious communities. Small groups and mentoring ministries may also provide connections for those seeking relationships within the church.
The study also highlights regional variations in religious trends. Christian communities in the South and Midwest may find encouragement that their numbers remain relatively stable, while a greater need exists for outreach to states in the West and Northeast.
God is not done with America, with the research now supporting a shift highlighting that the fields are ripe for harvest. Rather than complaining about the lack of Christian morals in the current culture, believers can move forward with confidence in sharing the hope of the Gospel and seeking to make disciples of neighbors and those across the nation.
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