Religion in America: Some Statistics*

 

Elizabeth A. Dreyer
Appendix 1

Main Findings of the Study

  1. Most Christians feel they are tolerant of other religions.
  2. Americans see religious diversity as a strength and not as a threat.
  3. Many of these very religious and very tolerant Americans know neither people of other religions nor much about religions other than their own.
  4. Many Americans turned to their religion to deal with the aftermath of the events of September 11, 2001.
  5. While Americans are evenly split on their overall view of Islam as a religion, most Americans expect a bigger armed conflict soon between Christian and Islamic countries.
  6. About 1/2 of Americans say they attend religious services at least once a week, and large numbers say they attend prayer group meetings and bible study.
  7. By nearly three to one, Catholics believe that Catholic priests should be allowed to marry.

Nearly 2/3 of Americans say religion is very important in their lives. Nearly 50% say they attend worship services at least once a week (highest % since the 1960's). Belief in God and devotion to prayer are at historic highs. Voluntary giving to religious institutions is estimated to be more than $55 billion per year.

  1. How important would you say religion is in your life?
    1. Very important. Christians, 69% Non-Christians, 40%
    2. Somewhat important. Christians, 24% Non-Christians, 20%
    3. Somewhat unimportant. Christians, 4% Non-Christians, 13%
    4. Very unimportant. Christians, 3% Non-Christians, 26%
  2. Aside from weddings and funerals, how often do you attend religious services?
    1. More than once a week. Christians, 22% Non-Christians, 10%
    2. Once a week. Christians, 30% Non-Christians, 14%
    3. Once or twice a month. Christians, 16% Non-Christians, 9%
    4. A few times a year. Christians, 18% Non-Christians, 15%
    5. Seldom or never. Christians, 14% Non-Christians, 51%
  3. In general, how often would you say you have experienced God's presence or a spiritual force that felt very close to you?
    1. Never. Christians, 10% Non-Christians, 36%
    2. Once or twice. Christians, 17% Non-Christians, 13%
    3. Several times. Christians, 23% Non-Christians 15%
    4. Many times. Christians, 49% Non-Christians, 34%
  4. Which statement comes closer to your own views, even if neither is exactly right?
    1. The religion you practice is the only true religion. Christians: 19%. Non-Christians, 7%
    2. All religions have elements of truth in them. Christians, 77%. Non-Christians, 86%.
  5. Would you describe your general impression of Islam as
    1. Very favorable. Christians, 5% Non-Christians, 12%
    2. Somewhat favorable. Christians, 29% Non-Christians, 36%
    3. Somewhat unfavorable. Christians, 25% Non-Christians, 22%
    4. Very unfavorable, Christians 15% Non-Christians, 7%

Distribution of religious affiliation in the USA, 2000.

Christians: 159 million
Non-Christian: 13.4 million:

In this sample:
88% - religious worship and activities are important
47% - attend religious services once a week or more
40% - attend prayer groups of bible study
48% - involved in activities of their place of worship

Born again Christians 46%
Catholics 21%
Protestants 52%
Other Christians 63%

Evangelical Christians 24%
Catholics 10%
Protestants 39%
Other Christians 26%

Five out of six Americans say they are Christians. In equal number Catholics (25%) and Protestants (26%) comprise half the adult population. 32% call themselves Christian but are not RC or Protestant. Almost half say they are 'born again' and one fourth describe themselves as "evangelical Christians."

What is most important when choosing a place to worship?
55% - "beliefs, doctrines and creeds"
51% each - sense of community; minister, priest, rabbi.

When question was framed a different way (What is most important part of religion?) a different picture emerges:
69% - an individual's spiritual experience over doctrines and beliefs (24%). Spiritual experiences were chosen over "doctrines and beliefs" by both non-Christians (73%-15%) and Christians (69%-26%).

Asked upon what bases people made decisions in their lives, 77% would rely on their own personal judgment. Of the four alternatives offered, the teachings of church or synagogue ranked last (51%). Family and friends (64%); Bible (60%).

Protestants

  1. Just over half of all Americans are Protestant.
  2. Historically black churches - 10% of population
  3. 300,000 congregations. Generally high level of commitment to the local congregation to which they belong rather than to denomination or to Protestantism per se.
  4. Evangelicals are largest Protestant group by far. Southern Baptists are the largest group, with 16 million members. Total number of evangelicals estimated at more than 1/3 of all Christians - twice the size of mainline membership. These groups are generally more conservative than mainline and more contemporary and enthusiastic in styles of worship. Mega-churches. Emphasis on being born again; authority of the bible; hold that Christ is the only way to salvation. Pentecostals focus on the power of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, etc. Evangelicals tend to simplify complex issues, e.g., "It's right there in the bible." Or, "Jesus is the answer. What would he have done?" (WWJD). Mainline Protestants are more likely to acknowledge the complexity of religious issues, acknowledging a plethora of perspectives and positions.
  5. There is an economic aspect - T-shirts, religious paraphernalia, conventions, religious vacation spots, etc.
  6. Focus on experience, practice, personal relationship with God. Among Protestants, 25% said beliefs were the most important part of religion; 69% said spiritual experience. Some skepticism about dogma and rules.
  7. People are seeking and experimenting - "shopping" for churches, a reflection of a consumer culture? People may choose a church because of the music, or the preaching or a lively sense of community/hospitality or the youth program rather than for its denominational affiliation. There is a lot of movement from denomination to denomination that includes movement from Roman Catholicism to Protestantism. In many Protestant churches at least half of the people were raised in another religious home.

Roman Catholicism

  1. Allow priest to marry - 70%. Those over 65 and those who attend church more than once a week - below 50%.
  2. Help choose bishops - Yes-48% No-44% Support drops in over 65 and among people who attend church more than once a week.

There are more churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques per capita in the US than in any other nation on earth: one for about every 865 people. Many others seek spiritual sustenance beyond organized religion in personal experiences and meditative practices. Pollster George Gallup: "There is a deep desire for spiritual moorings - a hunger for God." America is not only the most religious of western democracies, but also the most religiously diverse - and tolerant. There are now more Buddhists than Presbyterians and nearly as many Muslims as Jews. Experts posit that extreme xenophobia is more rare and mild in comparison with other parts of the world mired in violence sparked by religion.

This survey found a high degree of acceptance toward people of different faiths. Three-fourth see this diversity as a source of strength; fewer than 1/3 think it makes it harder to keep the country united. But there is a new suspicion of Islam: 37% have unfavorable view. But 3 in 4 Americans think all religions have at least some elements of truth, even though they do not know much about other religions, or for that matter, about their own. 70% think spiritual experiences are the most important part of religion. "If one's religion is more about individual identity than doctrine or creed, it is a lot easier to be tolerant" (Egon Mayer, sociologist at Graduate Center of the City University of New York).

Aggressive proselytizing is not generally welcomed. 70% of Christians say Christians should be tolerant of other religions and leave them alone, while 22% of Christians think it is a Christian duty to convert members of other faiths.

Questions

  1. Amidst such religious diversity, how does one strike a balance in the practice of civil religion that will accommodate everyone?
  2. What is the glue that will hold the culture together amidst religious diversity?
  3. How should America go about creating a multi-religious and democratic state - something never done before?
  4. How does the power of American culture shape its religions?
  5. How do American believers regard evil?

Retrieved August 3, 2005 from: http://www.fairfield.edu/x3714.xml

*Based on: Religion & Ethics Newsweekly/U.S. News & World Report poll of 2002 adults conducted by Mitofsky International and Edison Media Research March 26-April 4, 2002. Margin of error for total sample: plus or minus 2 percent.

Ÿ         U.S. News & World Reports article based on survey results: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/culture/articles/020506/archive_020704.htm

Ÿ         Religion & Ethics Newsweekly series summary of results: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week534/cover.html

Ÿ         Complete survey results: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week534/specialreport.html

Ÿ         Breakdown of specific questions using the ARDA resources: http://www.thearda.com/Archive/Files/Codebooks/RELIGN02_CB.asp