Christianity is the largest religion in the United States, with approximately 62% of U.S. adults identifying as Christian, though its share of the population has declined significantly from 78% in 2007 before stabilizing in recent years.
Current Demographics
- Protestants: Make up about 40% of U.S. adults, forming the largest Christian branch.
- Catholics: Account for roughly 19% of the adult population.
- Other Christians: Include Mormons, Orthodox Christians, and Jehovah’s Witnesses, making up about 3%.
- Religiously Unaffiliated (“Nones”): Stand at 29% of the population, comprising atheists, agnostics, and those identifying as “nothing in particular”.
History and Foundation
- Colonization: Introduced by European settlers, Spanish and French colonizers brought Catholicism, while British and German settlers brought various forms of Protestantism.
- Cultural Impact: Christian values, moral frameworks, and worldviews deeply shaped early American institutions, laws, and founding documents, though the U.S. Constitution does not establish a national religion.
- Distinct Traditions: American Christianity has been uniquely shaped by revivalist and Baptist theology, emphasizing individual conversion experiences and full-immersion baptism.
Modern Trends
Decline and Stabilization: Decades of steady decline among mainline Protestants and Catholics have leveled off somewhat since 2019, supported in part by immigration from Latin America and a fusion of faith with conservative politics.
Links for further overview of USA:
Stichting HEALING THE NATIONS 