Pew Forum’s U.S. Religious Landscape Survey
In 2007, the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life published their U.S. Religious Landscape Survey. It contains much that is interesting, but it lacks longitudinal data since this is the first time they’ve done it. Bummer.
One of the interesting findings is that 30% of adults in the States who were raised Catholic have left the RC. It is being maintained primarily by Latino immigrants, who will soon make up the majority of the church. This may have lasting political ramifications for a group which is strongly segmented according to immigrant group (Irish and Poles don’t mix in Chicago, for example).
Also, the number of non-affiliated persons is greatest under 30. If the church growth researchers are correct, people will have a tendency to want to reconnect to religion after the birth of their first child. Since many people are putting off child-bearing until the late 20s or early 30s, we might see a “attend-leave-attend” process going on longitudinally.
The Midwest, as usual, represented the greater nation best, which may have ramifications for church planting.
It is interesting to note how much churn is reported for all groups.
The report is available in long format, which is pleasing.
