Christianity Is Losing Its #1 Spot: What Do We Do?

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Christianity as the most practiced religion

The world is becoming less Christian and taking on a different affiliation. 

In his book, “The Rise of the Nones”, James Emery White describes the growing rank of Americans whose religious affiliation is now atheist, agnostic, or “nothing in particular.” This identity shift comes regardless of whether one is raised religious or not. In fact, based on patterns observed in recent decades through 2019, it is estimated that 31% of people raised Christian become unaffiliated between ages 15 to 29. Another 7% become unaffiliated later in life.

According to a recent article by Pew Research, at the current projection of those switching their religion or claiming no affiliation, Christianity will fall below 50% of the population in the U.S by 2070. Currently, it sits around 64%.

By comparison, those religiously unaffiliated account for 30% of the U.S. population, or roughly three-in-ten adults religiously unaffiliated. Other religions including Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists total about 6%. People of non-Christian religions are set to grow and represent 12%-13% of the population in the U.S. This will, however, depend on consistent migration patterns and birth rates.

Birth Rates and the diminishing of the Christian Faith

Highly religious parents tend to raise highly religious children. These children are are less likely to disaffiliate than children of less religious parents. However, with the rapid declining birth rates of the U.S. and other western countries which are deemed “Christian,” Christianity may fall faster, in my opinion.

For example, I wrote in an article — “What is Hinduism” — that the rise of India’s population, the Hindi language, and of the Hindu religion, may surpass the number of Christians globally. Currently, Hinduism sits at number three in the ranks of religion by population.

So, by calculating the fertility rate of 1.6 children per family in the U.S., versus 2.2 in India, combined with disaffiliation of religion — particularly Christian — we have a recipe that can produce significantly less “Christian” believing countrymen and women. The Muslim faith even has a chance to surpass Christianity soon. It is the second largest practiced religion and also has a higher birth rate than western countries.

What a Decrease of Christians Means for Society

Such a decline of Christianity already has made an impact on society, politics and family life. We have seen abortions rise in recent decades with 67% of U.S. adults saying that abortions should be legal most, if not all the time. With that percentage, I would venture to say that over half of named “Christians” believe that abortion is alright. This brings up the question of what quality of Christians exist today. A topic for another time.

Even before the recent signing into law of the “Respect for Marriage Act,” more and more Christians have accepted same-sex marriages as being alright. Less than 50% of those who say they are religious, believe in God, and engage in at least weekly attendance, oppose same-sex marriage because there is a clear standard for what is right and wrong.

Christianity at Its Best

Dr. Jeremiah Johnston, in his book, “Unimaginable,” writes that without having at least the belief of God in one’s life, something always fills the void. As an example, Johnston highlights the tragedy of the 19th century, mentioning that “the rediscover of early Paganism and its ill-conceived ideas of racism formed some very evil fruit.” Unfortunately, because of that, we still live in the effects of paganism, racism, and the dehumanizing of humanity from what it was originally CREATED to be (Genesis 1-2).

Without the type of Christianity which flourished through the efforts of the apostles —as recorded in the book of Acts— and carried on by other devoted disciples of Christ, the world would not have advanced morally or as caringly as it has in the last 2,000 years. Johnston recognizes that the message of the Gospel of Jesus is what changes the world for the better. Jesus:

  • Brings good news for all people
  • Brings new hope in the midst of suffering
  • Brings new life in the present and eternal future
  • Ends Racism and Slavery
  • Frees women
  • And heals the unimaginable in your life.

The world needs more Jesus!

Not just that, but the type of Jesus who said the world would hate you for believing in Him. (John 15:18-25)

[Check out my new commentary on the book of John and discover who this Jesus really is. Get it on Amazon. “Believe: A Commentary on the Gospel of John”]

What Do We Do about It?

There has been a number of periods in history, known as the Great Awakenings, where there was religious revival in Christianity. These arose through a widespread and sharp increase of interest in religion, a profound sense of conviction and redemption on the part of those affects, and an increase in church attendance.

Among U.S. adults, church attendance has decreased by 20% in the last couple decades. To simply change the attendance direction may change the percentage of say “Christians” in the United States; but it won’t fix the quality of Christian which can bring societal and global change for the better, according to Christ’s standards which we find in the Bible. 

Revival starts in the heart of individuals who accurately understand the truth of the Scriptures and desire to live them out in one’s life DAILY. True Christian revival comes when the truth of the God’s Word is taught and lived out by the minority of Bible-believing, Christ-followers. It does not happen by claiming an affiliation or lack there of.

This is why I started Maps of Faith, to teach the truth of God’s Word, that Jesus is the only Way, Truth, and Life (John 14:9); to teach what true Christianity is, and the proper Biblical Worldview to have. Jesus is the only hope of bringing personal and societal change which is needed for a lasting, loving, and inclusive world to live in.

For Further Study

(The books in this list are Amazon affiliate links which I receive a commission if you click on them) Thanks for the SUPPORT!