Americans are less religious than ever, according to the Pew Research Center’s Religious Landscape Study. The poll found that Americans, especially young adults, are becoming less religious based from poll results on church attendance, prayer, and belief in God.
The 2014 poll found that while Americans are still more religious than other advanced countries, faith is slipping in the U.S.. Americans who said that they believe in God fell from 92% in 2007, to 89% in the most recent poll. The percentage of Americans who are “absolutely certain” of God fell from 71% to 63%.
The poll reports that religious ideas are universally trending downwards. Young adults — those born between 1990 and 1996 — are particularly less religious, especially when compared to older generations. Only half of the millennials polled are certain in their belief of God, compared to 71% of those born from 1928 to 1945.
New @pewresearch report finds that Americans are becoming less religious. @tgjelten https://t.co/ldCDoAxrMK pic.twitter.com/mDAw0abmbe
— NPR (@NPR) November 3, 2015
America is still a religious country. 77% of Americans identify with one religion, and most are still dedicated to their beliefs, with two-thirds of religious Americans claiming to pray at least once a day. However, only 39% of young adults pray daily, and are also much less likely to attend religious services.
Unsurprisingly, the poll reveals some divide between the two major political parties, although both are primarily still religious. About 72% of democrats are religiously affiliated, while 86% of Republicans identify with a religion. In addition, 38% of Republicans polled are Evangelical Protestants, while Roman Catholics made up 21% of both Democrats and Republicans polled.
Both the 2014 and 2007 studies surveyed 35,000 adults about their religious affiliations, beliefs, and practices. The margin of error is less than 1%, meaning that the poll results can easily be applied to the American public.
Full results of the study are available from the Pew Research Center.
Featured image via Flickr
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