American church membership falls below 50% towards 2021, for the first time in the last 80 years
U.S. church membership was 73% when Gallup first measured it in 1937. It remained near 70% for 60 years, until it began to decline in 2000. In 2020, it dropped below 50% for the first time in Gallup’s eight-decade trend.
Over the past two decades, “the decline in church membership is primarily a function of the increasing number of Americans who express no religious preference,” according to the Gallup report.
The decline in church membership seems to be tied to population change
As the older generation shrink, their children or grandchildren do not see church membership as necessary. The bulk of church attendees were boomers and their children who belong to Generation X.
Millennials and Generation Z are increasingly becoming the more significant part of the entire U.S. adult population. They are likely uninterested in seeking God through a religious organization.
Interestingly, as the USA becomes more liberal, atheists who identify as Democrats have increased to 89 percent, according to Pew.
CONSERVATIVE AMERICA UNDER ATTACK?
Artificial increase in church membership in the Philippines
The Philippines is the only Christian nation in Asia, with about 85 percent professing Catholic. Despite claims of the CBCP that membership is increasing, church attendance is declining.
“The 44% annual average weekly attendance at religious services in 2019 is the lowest since the 46% yearly average in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2017,” reported Philippine Inquirer.
- In 2021, there were 90 million Catholics, compared to only 70 million in 2015. However, the population also increased. It’s automatic for most Catholic parents to have their babies baptized into the church, creating an artificial increase in membership.
- In 2017, weekly church attendance was highest among (cult-like) Iglesia Ni Cristo at 90%, and are only Christian by name. Muslims a high 81% and other Christian denominations at 71% attendance.
- Catholics at a low 41% according to SWS. Weekly attendance declined from 64% in 1991 to 37% in 2013, just a few years after EDSA People Power placed the Catholic Mary at the forefront of the Yellow Movement that deposed the Marcos dynasty.
- Born again Christians have been increasing steadily, but these are most likely people with a religious background, moving from one church to another. Otherwise, the percentage of the Christian population would have increased as well.
Left-liberal trend replacing conservative America
As church attendees dwindle, canceled culture, abortion, and LGBTQ rights dominate the USA’s social and political landscape. Left-Liberals found unprecedented support from the new Biden administration.
In the Philippines, the politicization of church and religion appears to prevent non-Christian values to proliferate. However, it is also causing division.
