How Accurate Are Your Impressions?
Many Christians assume they have a basic understanding of American religious practice and belief. The following 10 statements, answers, and explanations are based on research by Rodney Stark, which is published in What Americans Really Believe. For a more comprehensive review of that book and an introduction to Stark, click here.
Test your own knowledge by indicating whether you believe each statement to be true or false.
- The percentage of Americans who belong to a local congregation has been in decline since the early years of our nation.
- Weekly church attendance has been in a decline over the last 50 years.
- Denominations and denominationalism are dying.
- Megachurches are inferior to small churches and not as involved in the community.
- Women believe more and pray more than men.
- Atheism, as defined by people not believing in God, has declined in the last 60 years.
- More people view God as a severe God of judgment than as benevolent and engaged.
- The percentage of income people give to a church is highest among those who attend most often.
- Most people believe that they will go to heaven when they die.
- Most people are not comfortable talking about religion with most people.
Answers and Explanations
- False. As a percentage of the overall American population, those belonging to a local congregation has been on the rise throughout our history: from 17% in 1776 to 35% in 1870 to 59% in 1953 to 64% in 1990 to 69% in 2005.
- True and False. It is true that the percentage attending worship on a weekly basis is lower now than fifty years ago. However, since Vatican II the percentage attending on a weekly basis has been relatively flat: consistently in the mid-30s.
- False. Between 1960 and 2009, liberal Protestant denominations have declined by 49%, conservative Protestant denominations have increased by 158%, and the Roman Catholic Church has declined by 5% when considered on the basis of adherents per 1000 in the US population. Conservative denominations are alive and well and those who also place greater demands on their members are most likely to have experienced growth.
- False. Megachurch members are more likely than members of small churches to tithe, share their faith with others, and volunteer in the larger community.
- True. Higher percentages of women then men affirm core beliefs and engage in religious behavior.
- False. The number was 4% in 1944 and 6% in 1947, but only 4% in both 2005 and 2007.
- False. Most people view God as benevolent and engaged.
- True. Those who attend several times a week give the most on average (9.5%) and those who attend once or twice a year give the least on average (1.3%).
- False. Only 46% of all Americans believe they will go to heaven when they die. (46% of liberal Protestants and 67% of conservative Protestants believe they will go to heaven when they die.)
- False. Most people are comfortable talking about faith with most people. In fact, over 50% are comfortable with all groups: family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and strangers.
So What?
Things are likely not just as you assumed.
- Only 1 in 25 people are atheists.
- More people belong to churches now than at any time in our nation’s history.
- Most people are open to talking about faith. How comfortable would you feel talking about religion with: Your family (somewhat or very comfortable): 89%, your friends (somewhat or very comfortable): 86%, your neighbors (somewhat or very comfortable): 69%, your co-workers (somewhat or very comfortable): 69%, strangers (somewhat or very comfortable): 52%.
Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37b-38, NIV).
- Are you living the life of a worker and engaging those beyond your faith community?
- Is your local congregation?