United States | Counting Christians

American religion is becoming less exceptional

In 1972 90% of Americans called themselves Christians; now just 64% do

ATHENS, OHIO, UNITED STATES - 2021/02/17: Christian devotees attend prayers at Christ the King University Parish in Athens.Father Mark Moore of Christ the King University Parish leads his congregation through the Ash Wednesday Mass. Ash Wednesday falls on the first day of Lent, a time of fasting that begins six weeks before Easter. The fasting of Lent is broken by Easter Sunday. (Photo by Stephen Zenner/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) — Image: Getty Images

Apr 20th 2023|WASHINGTON, DC

WHAT IS a shepherd without a flock? Many of America’s pastors may soon have to answer. In 2014, 3,700 Protestant churches closed, by 2019 that figure was 4,500, according to Lifeway Research, a non-profit organisation that provides resources for ministry. Many parishes simply do not have enough congregants to pay the bills. In 1972, 90% of Americans called themselves Christians; now just 64% do. The waning of religiosity in America is not new, of course. But newly released data shed light on where religious adherence has dropped most, and among which Christian denominations.

This article appeared in the United States section of the print edition under the headline “Counting Christians”