American observance of religion is on the wane, according to a new study from University College London and Duke University.
Publishing in the American Journal of Sociology, the researchers note that the number of Americans who believe in God, attend church regularly, and identify with a particular religious sect are all in slow, but steady decline.
Such changes appear to be generational.
According to a summary of the findings, "...68% Americans aged 65 and over said they had no doubt God existed compared to 45% of young adults, aged 18-30. 41% of people 70 and older said they attend church services at least once a month, compared to 18% of people 60 and below."
The study relies upon data from the General Social Survey, a questionnaire carried out every two years. And the decline in religiosity is on par with drops in other western nations.
Duke Professor Mark Chaves, noted, "The U.S. decline has been so gradual that until recently scientists haven't had enough data to be sure the trend was real. The US has long been considered an exception to the modern claim that religion is declining, but if you look at the trajectory, and the generational dynamic that is producing the trajectory, we may not be an exception after all."
Yea most people don't go to church anymore, even the religious zealots in my family hate going to church. Good though, most religions are archaic and have no room in a modern progressive society. There is some good in the Bible/Quran for example but there's also a lot of sexism and just plain problematic verses. I've yet to find good interpretations that can justify them. I also believe in God/Higher power but can't see how an "all good" God would accept these bad things in sacred text.
The decline in religiosity is on par with drops in other western nations.
Religion as a whole is declining by very small amounts over the years, yes. Thought that was quite obvious. Nonetheless, several billions of people still are, so get over it. You're going to die long before it's ever eradicated.