Less than half of Americans belong to houses of worship, a new study shows, but religion – and Christianity in particular – continues to have an enormous influence on United States politics, especially as it is declining more rapidly among Democrats than among the republicans.
Only 47% of the U.S. population is members of a church, mosque or synagogue, according to a Gallup survey, down from 70% two decades ago – partly as a result of the millennium generation moving away from religion, but also, experts say, a reaction to the turbulent mix of right-wing politics and Christianity pursued by the Republican Party.
The evidence comes when Republicans in some states pursue radical “Christian nationalist” policies, trying to force their version of Christianity into an increasingly disinterested audience.
This week, the Arkansas governor signed a law allowing doctors to refuse to treat LGBTQ people on religious grounds, and other states are exploring similar legislation.
Gallup started asking Americans about his church membership in 1937 – and for decades the number has always been above 70%. That started to change in 2000 and the number has been dropping steadily ever since.
Part of the decline is attributable to changing generations, with about 66% of people born before 1946 still being members of a church, compared to just 36% of the millennial generation.
Among other groups reported by Gallup, the decline in Church membership stands out among Democrats and independents who identify themselves. The number of members of the Democratic church fell by 25% over the 20-year period, with independents decreasing by 18%. Republican church members have also declined, but only 12%.
David Campbell, professor and chairman of the political science department at the University of Notre Dame and co-author of American Grace: How Religion Divides and Une Us, said the reason for the decline among these groups is political – an “allergic reaction to the right religious ”.
“Many Americans – especially young people – see religion as linked to political conservatism, and to the Republican Party specifically,” said Campbell.
“Since that is not their party, nor their politics, they don’t want to identify themselves as religious. Young people are especially allergic to the perception that many – but by no means all – American religions are hostile to LGBTQ rights. “
Campbell’s research shows that an increasing number of Americans have moved away from religion as politicians – especially Republicans – have mixed religion with politics. Campbell says there has always been a ebb and flow in Americans’ adherence to religion, but he believes the current decline is likely to continue.
“I see no sign that the religious right and Christian nationalism are disappearing. Which, in turn, suggests that the allergic reaction will continue to be seen – and therefore more and more Americans will move away from religion, ”he said.
The number of people who identify themselves as non-religious has grown steadily in recent decades, according to Michele Margolis, associate professor of political science at the University of Pennsylvania and author of From Politics to the Pews. More than 20% of all Americans are classified as “no,” said Margolis, and more than a third of Americans under the age of 30.
“This means that non-identification will continue to become a larger portion of the population over time, as the replacement of the cohort continues to occur,” said Margolis. But she agreed that another factor is the infusion of right-wing politics with theism.
“Since religion was closed to conservative politics, we had Democrats opting out of organized religion, or being less involved, and Republicans opting out,” she said.
Christian nationalists – who believe that America was established as, and must remain, a Christian country – have taken a series of measures to introduce their version of religion into American life.
In states like Louisiana, Arkansas and Florida, Republicans introduced legislation that would violate LGTBQ rights and reproductive rights, challenge couples’ ability to adopt children and see religion forced into classrooms.
The Arkansas governor recently signed a bill that allows medical professionals to refuse to treat LGBTQ people for religious reasons. Montana is about to pass a law that would allow people or businesses to discriminate, based on religion, against the LGBTQ community.
“Don’t make me NOT do what my God tells me I have to do,” said Montana Republican Congressman John Fuller, an advocate for the law.
Alison Gill, vice president for legal and political affairs at American Atheists, who wrote a report on the rise of Christian extremism in the United States, warned that the drop in religious adherence in America could actually accelerate this effort, rather than slow it down.
“Research by those who identify with Christian nationalist beliefs consistently shows that this group feels that it is subject to more discrimination and marginalization than any other group in society, including Islamists, blacks, atheists, [and] Jewish people, ”said Gill.
“They are experiencing the loss of prominence in American culture as an unacceptable attack on their beliefs – and this is driving many of the efforts we are seeing to cling to power, undermine democracy and fight for the ‘religious freedom’ protections that apply just for them. “
Religion’s influence on politics is stark, Gill said.
“America sees itself as a predominantly religious society, even if the facts no longer coincide. Politicians often feel compelled to pronounce their religious faith – and are attacked for noticing it, ”she said.
While the danger of a reaction from the right is real, Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-founder of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, said the Gallup data suggests that the U.S. is moving in a positive direction.
“We have this constitutional separation of church and state in America, and our constitution is impious, and it says that you can’t have a religious test for public office, and yet you pretty much have to wear religion up your sleeve to be elected.” Said Gaylor.
“There is movement [away from religion], and we are very pleased to see that. We think it’s great that Americans are finally waking up. “