Why Are Fewer Americans Religious?

There are approximately 5.8 billion religiously affiliated people worldwide according to the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life.

In the U.S., Gallup data suggests three in four Americans identify with a religious faith.  

But those numbers are dropping.

2020 Gallup numbers found less than half of Americans belong to a church, mosque or synagogue, a low-point since Gallup began asking the question over 80 years ago and a shift  that researchers believe is widespread. 

Survey findings show Protestantism and Catholicism in America have seen a great drop in identification. 

Pew Research polling shows under one in five Americans identify as Catholic, a three percent decline since 2009. 

It’s not that these Americans are turning to other religions. They’re turning away from it all together. 

Experts call this growing group religious ‘nones’ — which are made up of atheists, agnostics, and those with no specific organized religion. 

America’s belief in God has dropped 6% since 2017 — to a new low of 81%, according to Gallup. 

Gallup polls show 66% of adults born before 1946 are still members of a religious organization. 

That number drops to 58% for baby boomers, 50% for gen X and just 36% for millenials.