Since the American religious landscape is always changing, it is important to note current demographic data. The following image is from the Public Religion Research Institute and Brookings based on data captured last summer.
So What?
According to this survey of just over 2,000 people religious progressives are more racially diverse than any other group, and are more than twice as successful in attracting the affiliation of America’s youngest adults: the Millennials. On the other end of the theological spectrum, religious conservatives are more white than any other group, and are more than twice as successful in attracting the affiliation of America’s oldest adults: the Silent Generation.
- How do these stats match or challenge your assumptions about the current demographics of the two primary religious groupings and the non-religious/unaffiliated?
- How closely aligned are the racial and generational profiles of your congregation with the group it fits within theologically (progressive or conservative)?