A Long Arc of Gradual Decline

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Arguably, religion is the greatest signifier in American culture. Religion drives attitudes and behaviors. The so called culture wars of recent years is anecdotal evidence supporting these contentions.

Religion is a cultural phenomenon in flux. Today the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life published a report: "U.S Religious Landscape Survey." Counting shifts within Protestantism, some 44 % of Americans have changed religious affiliations.

According to this comprehensive survey, nearly 20% of men, mostly under 50, have no affiliation, as compared to 13% of women.

The unaffiliated are growing, while the Protestants are declining. Now 51% of the population, Protestants in the 1970s made up nearly 2/3rds of the population. Catholics have suffered a net decline, too, though immigrants have buoyed their ranks.

Statistics such as these can be interpolated in varying ways.

In my estimation these findings presage a decline of organized religions' general influence. While the U.S. is behind the decline-curve compared to Europeans and Canadians as well, I've long predicted a similar cultural shift for American culture. It won't be sudden and dramatic as was the "greening of Quebec." But it appears to me that a younger generation is leading an inevitable decline. The reason? I'd say its a matter of traditional religion's decreasing relevance. To use a biblical reference: "You don't put new wine in old wineskins."