Fluidity in the American Religious Landscape
This article, “Fluidity in the American Religious Landscape,” summarizes the second section of a recent report by the PRRI’s 2022 American Values Atlas titled “Religion and Congregations in a Time of Social and Political Upheaval” (you can access the full report here https://www.prri.org/research/religion-and-congregations-in-a-time-of-social-and-political-upheaval/).
The American religious landscape is characterized by a high degree of fluidity, with about one in four Americans (24%) reporting a shift from their original religious tradition or denomination in 2022, a considerable increase from 16% in 2021.
People who belong to non-Christian religions or those who are religiously unaffiliated are most likely to report such a change, at 38% and 37%, respectively. They are followed by Protestants of color (28%), white evangelical Protestants (25%), and Hispanic Protestants (24%). The trend is least observed among Jewish Americans, Black Protestants, Hispanic Catholics, and white Catholics.
When considering the origins of those who switched affiliations, a significant proportion – 37% – were formerly Catholic. This trend of Catholic-to-Protestant conversion remains consistent across white evangelical Protestants, white mainline/non-evangelical Protestants, and Protestants of color. In contrast, a sizeable proportion of those currently identifying as Catholic used to follow other Christian traditions or were non-evangelical Protestants.
The reasons for switching vary among those who no longer identify with their previous religion. However, a lack of belief in the religion’s teachings emerged as the leading reason (56%). Other factors include a negative stance towards LGBTQ people (30%), a non-religious family background (29%), scandals involving religious leaders (27%), a traumatic event (18%), or an excessive focus on politics by the church (17%). These motivations remain broadly consistent with findings from 2016.
Interestingly, most switchers were young at the time of transition, with 71% being under 30. Only 7% of switchers were 50 or older, indicating a strong trend of religious realignment among younger generations.
Currently, only 16% of Americans are considering leaving their religious tradition or denomination, with Latter-day Saints, other Protestants of color, and white Catholics leading at 24%, 20%, and 20%, respectively. This further emphasizes the dynamic nature of religious affiliation in the United States and indicates that the future may see even more fluidity in this landscape.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
