Nearly a quarter of the world (23%) does not consider the United States “more religious” when compared to other wealthy nations, according to a Pew Research Center report released July 31.
This is despite Americans’ self-perception that they are more likely to consider religion of personal importance. About four-in-ten Americans (41%) agree, which is double (21%) the median share for wealthy countries surveyed.
The findings are based on a survey of 23 countries and the U.S. conducted in the spring. Respondents were also asked their views of America when compared to other countries as a tolerant (22% less; 44% more), democratic (18% less; 42% more), dangerous (28% less; 42% more) and politically stable (34% less; 23% more) place to live.
Aside from their impressions, the study found that there is evidence that the U.S. is “considerably more religious than similarly wealthy nations.”
“Still, as is the case in other wealthy countries, religious commitment has been falling in the U.S. in recent decades,” wrote Stephanie Cramer, a senior researcher focusing on religion at Pew Research Center.
“Since the 1990s, the share of U.S. adults who identify as atheist, agnostic or ‘nothing in particular’ has risen from about 8% to 29%. And Pew Research Center projections suggest that the religiously unaffiliated may outnumber Christians in the U.S. the coming decades.”
To read the full report, click here.
Interim managing editor, director of The Raceless Gospel Initiative, and host of the Good Faith Media podcast “The Raceless Gospel.”
