Author and researcher Ryan Burge discusses the plateau of 'nones' in America, polarization into conservative and liberal groups, challenges facing mainline Protestantism, and the importance of exposing children to diverse viewpoints in religious settings.
The growth of religious 'nones' in America has plateaued over the past five years despite COVID-19.
The decline of mainline Protestantism in America is evident, with only 9% of Americans identifying with it today.
Exposing children to diverse views within religious settings is crucial for promoting understanding and tolerance.
Deep dives
Decline of the Mainline Protestant Church
The mainline Protestant Church, once dominant in American discourse and culture with 50% of Americans attached to it in the 1950s, has drastically declined to only 9% of Americans identifying with it today. This decline, marked by a shift from moderation to extremism, has led to organizations like the Episcopalian Church and the PCUSA facing impending collapse as their weekly attendances dwindle and members age.
Rise of Evangelicalism and Hardening of Catholicism
Contrary to the mainline decline, evangelicalism remains at 17% of the American population, maintaining its size since 1972. Meanwhile, the Catholic Church has shifted sharply to the right, evidenced by a decrease in liberal-leaning priests, with only 5% of priests ordained in the last decade describing themselves as liberal. This evolution reflects a broader trend of religious segmentation and polarization in American society.
The Big Church Sort: Shifting Religious Demographics and Cultural Impact
The book titled 'The Big Church Sort' explores the changing religious landscape in America, paralleling the sociopolitical segmentation seen in society. With the mainline Protestant Church in decline, evangelicalism maintaining its share, and Catholicism trending rightward, the concept delves into how these shifts impact cultural identities and societal values, highlighting a growing religious polarization and fragmentation across the nation.
The Future of Religion in America
Religious shifts in American society indicate a conservative future for many religions, with Traditionalist Catholics and Evangelicals on the rise. Contrarily, more liberal churches akin to the social gospel style are dwindling. The emergence of predominantly conservative religious landscape seems inevitable, steering away from moderate or left-leaning traditions.
Challenges Facing Mainline Churches
Mainline churches face challenges of declining congregations and financial sustainability. The consolidation of denominations to ensure survival is contemplated, yet hindered by institutional logistics and individualistic congregational dynamics. The presence of ancestral funds complicates decision-making, prolonging the inevitable changes required for the future sustainability of these churches.
Author and researcher Ryan Burge joins me to discuss religious trends in America. Ryan's research reveals a surprising plateau in the growth of religious "nones" over the past five years, even through the COVID-19 period. We explored his upcoming book on the "big church sort," discussing the polarization of American religion into conservative churches and liberal non-religious groups, while moderate and mainline churches rapidly decline. Our conversation touched on the challenges facing mainline Protestantism, the use of political symbols in religious spaces, and the importance of exposing ourselves and our children to diverse viewpoints within religious settings.
Highlights:
08:12 The Plateau of the Religious 'Nones'
35:10 The Big Church Sort: The Decline of Mainline Protestantism
