Earlier this month, the Pew Research Center reported that data from the General Social Survey shows a role reversal in worship attendance when comparing Catholics and Protestants. More specifically:
In 1974, Catholics were more likely than Protestants to report attending religious services at least once a week (47% vs. 29%). By 2012, the situation had reversed: Protestants overall were more likely than Catholics to say they attend church weekly or more often (38% vs. 24%).
So What?
Visually the shift is striking. Pew’s image illustrates the changes among all Catholics and Protestants, and also offers data regarding the shift among those in each group who are classified as strong adherents.
Think of the change in round numbers:
- 1974: nearly 5 in 10 Catholics compared to nearly 3 in 10 Protestants attended worship weekly
- 2010/2012: nearly 4 in 10 Protestants compared to nearly 2.5 in 10 Catholics attended worship weekly
What do you believe to be the primary factors responsible for the shift among these two groups? for the overall decline in the percentage of Americans attending some form of Christian worship?