According to a new survey, the Great Decline of religion among Americans continues, as approximately 7.5 million people have stopped associating themselves with any religious denomination since 2012. Last month, the 2014 General Social Survey, the gold standard for sociological surveys funded by National Science Foundation, was released. While assessing the data, each percentage point increase was seen depicting a growth of 2.5 million adults. Below are the primary findings of the survey.
1. More Americans opt for ‘no religion.’
When asked about their religious preferences, about one in four Americans responded with “none.” Up until the 1990s, the number of Americans who belonged to the group called “nones,” bordered along single digits. According to the recent survey however, nones now constitute 21 percent of America’s total population, which is one point above the findings of 2012. This means currently, there are as many people who claim no religious association as there are Catholics in the United States. Understandably, if this trend continues, the largest religion in America might no longer be a religion at all in a few more years.
2. Americans do not attend church as regularly as they used to.
The number of people who do not go to church regularly has reached a new high as well. More than one-third Americans, or 34 percent, do not attend church services apart from weddings and similar occasions. This is a three point increase from the figures revealed a couple of years earlier.
3. More Americans have stopped praying.
This is probably a departure from organized religion since fewer people identify with religion or attend church services, yet as many Americans continue to pray. Approximately, one in six people do not pray at all.
Photo Credits: All Christian News
