Church attendance continues to plummet

[Anonymous]

Globally, Muslims have the highest fertility rate, an average of 3.1 children per woman – well above replacement level (2.1), the minimum typically needed to maintain a stable population.6 Christians are second, at 2.7 children per woman. Hindu fertility (2.4) is similar to the global average (2.5). Worldwide, Jewish fertility (2.3 children per woman) also is above replacement level. All the other groups have fertility levels too low to sustain their populations: folk religions (1.8 children per woman), other religions (1.7), the unaffiliated (1.7) and Buddhists (1.6).

Another important determinant of growth is the current age distribution of each religious group – whether its adherents are predominantly young, with their prime childbearing years still ahead, or older and largely past their childbearing years.

In 2010, more than a quarter of the world’s total population (27%) was under the age of 15. But an even higher percentage of Muslims (34%) and Hindus (30%) were younger than 15, while the share of Christians under 15 matched the global average (27%). These bulging youth populations are among the reasons that Muslims are projected to grow faster than the world’s overall population and that Hindus and Christians are projected to roughly keep pace with worldwide population growth.

All the remaining groups have smaller-than-average youth populations, and many of them have disproportionately large numbers of adherents over the age of 59. For example, 11% of the world’s population was at least 60 years old in 2010. But fully 20% of Jews around the world are 60 or older, as are 15% of Buddhists, 14% of Christians, 14% of adherents of other religions (taken as a whole), 13% of the unaffiliated and 11% of adherents of folk religions. By contrast, just 7% of Muslims and 8% of Hindus are in this oldest age category.

Demographics are destiny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh yeah, people are deserting yacht clubs in droves.

Yacht clubs!

You can't make this stuff up.

My in-laws belong to a yacht club in a small coastal middle class city. It is very middle class. DCUM would scoff at the membership. They think they are upper class, and may be upper for their area, but they are not even close. Similarly, the country club in that area is nothing like the country clubs you think of when you think of a a country club and you definitely don’t need true wealth to join.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Atheists, agnostics and other people who do not affiliate with any religion – though increasing in countries such as the United States and France – will make up a declining share of the world’s total population.

https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/

Much of the worldwide growth of Islam and Christianity, for example, is expected to take place in sub-Saharan Africa. Today’s religiously unaffiliated population, by contrast, is heavily concentrated in places with low fertility and aging populations, such as Europe, North America, China and Japan.

This could mean immigration of religious people from places like the US and France to Sub-saharan Africa, where they can practice their religion knowing that most other people there agree with them about the existence of God.

Or US churches could sponsor people from Sub-Saharan African countries to make up for increasing membership deficits here. A lot of churches would love this idea. Some of their members might not be so thrilled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh yeah, people are deserting yacht clubs in droves.

Yacht clubs!

You can't make this stuff up.

My in-laws belong to a yacht club in a small coastal middle class city. It is very middle class. DCUM would scoff at the membership. They think they are upper class, and may be upper for their area, but they are not even close. Similarly, the country club in that area is nothing like the country clubs you think of when you think of a a country club and you definitely don’t need true wealth to join.

But they can still say that they belong to the yacht club. That means a lot to some people - like saying they belong to a church, when they really don't believe much and may not attend much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Globally, Muslims have the highest fertility rate, an average of 3.1 children per woman – well above replacement level (2.1), the minimum typically needed to maintain a stable population.6 Christians are second, at 2.7 children per woman. Hindu fertility (2.4) is similar to the global average (2.5). Worldwide, Jewish fertility (2.3 children per woman) also is above replacement level. All the other groups have fertility levels too low to sustain their populations: folk religions (1.8 children per woman), other religions (1.7), the unaffiliated (1.7) and Buddhists (1.6).

Another important determinant of growth is the current age distribution of each religious group – whether its adherents are predominantly young, with their prime childbearing years still ahead, or older and largely past their childbearing years.

In 2010, more than a quarter of the world’s total population (27%) was under the age of 15. But an even higher percentage of Muslims (34%) and Hindus (30%) were younger than 15, while the share of Christians under 15 matched the global average (27%). These bulging youth populations are among the reasons that Muslims are projected to grow faster than the world’s overall population and that Hindus and Christians are projected to roughly keep pace with worldwide population growth.

All the remaining groups have smaller-than-average youth populations, and many of them have disproportionately large numbers of adherents over the age of 59. For example, 11% of the world’s population was at least 60 years old in 2010. But fully 20% of Jews around the world are 60 or older, as are 15% of Buddhists, 14% of Christians, 14% of adherents of other religions (taken as a whole), 13% of the unaffiliated and 11% of adherents of folk religions. By contrast, just 7% of Muslims and 8% of Hindus are in this oldest age category.

Demographics are destiny.

And by the time those currently young muslims and hindus grow up, a lot of them will probably have rejected religion too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I very rarely attend church.

Now ask my how my ***spiritual life*** is going. It is daily. It is thriving. It is a close, reliable, solid connection.

The longer I live, the more I know for a fact that I don’t need a flawed human preaching to me or interpreting for me. I’m educated and capable of reading scripture, praying, seeking information, and connecting with others.

and not attending religious services is a lot cheaper too. However, there is a lost of community, at least of a shared religious community.

It depends on the “community.” Anti-trans/homophobic people using religion as a weapon to justify their hate? No thanks. Catholicism covering up sex abuse and sexism? No thanks. Prosperity preachers getting money from their victim-congregants to fund their luxury lifestyles? No thanks. Lonely people who weaponize churchgoing and committee joining to give themselves purpose, and give guilt trips to busy and tired working parents who can’t commit to every little thing? No thanks. I’d rather pray alone and pray alongside my trusted family and friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I very rarely attend church.

Now ask my how my ***spiritual life*** is going. It is daily. It is thriving. It is a close, reliable, solid connection.

The longer I live, the more I know for a fact that I don’t need a flawed human preaching to me or interpreting for me. I’m educated and capable of reading scripture, praying, seeking information, and connecting with others.

and not attending religious services is a lot cheaper too. However, there is a lost of community, at least of a shared religious community.

It depends on the “community.” Anti-trans/homophobic people using religion as a weapon to justify their hate? No thanks. Catholicism covering up sex abuse and sexism? No thanks. Prosperity preachers getting money from their victim-congregants to fund their luxury lifestyles? No thanks. Lonely people who weaponize churchgoing and committee joining to give themselves purpose, and give guilt trips to busy and tired working parents who can’t commit to every little thing? No thanks. I’d rather pray alone and pray alongside my trusted family and friends.

I think a lot of religious people are coming to similar conclusions. Says something about the current religious structure(s) in the US and also suggests that community needs that people may have are being met in other ways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Globally, Muslims have the highest fertility rate, an average of 3.1 children per woman – well above replacement level (2.1), the minimum typically needed to maintain a stable population.6 Christians are second, at 2.7 children per woman. Hindu fertility (2.4) is similar to the global average (2.5). Worldwide, Jewish fertility (2.3 children per woman) also is above replacement level. All the other groups have fertility levels too low to sustain their populations: folk religions (1.8 children per woman), other religions (1.7), the unaffiliated (1.7) and Buddhists (1.6).

Another important determinant of growth is the current age distribution of each religious group – whether its adherents are predominantly young, with their prime childbearing years still ahead, or older and largely past their childbearing years.

In 2010, more than a quarter of the world’s total population (27%) was under the age of 15. But an even higher percentage of Muslims (34%) and Hindus (30%) were younger than 15, while the share of Christians under 15 matched the global average (27%). These bulging youth populations are among the reasons that Muslims are projected to grow faster than the world’s overall population and that Hindus and Christians are projected to roughly keep pace with worldwide population growth.

All the remaining groups have smaller-than-average youth populations, and many of them have disproportionately large numbers of adherents over the age of 59. For example, 11% of the world’s population was at least 60 years old in 2010. But fully 20% of Jews around the world are 60 or older, as are 15% of Buddhists, 14% of Christians, 14% of adherents of other religions (taken as a whole), 13% of the unaffiliated and 11% of adherents of folk religions. By contrast, just 7% of Muslims and 8% of Hindus are in this oldest age category.

Demographics are destiny.

Demographics change, as well. Industrialization is destiny, too. And climate change and earthquakes. The railroads and electrification had a huge effect on humanity. And nuclear weapons. Now we have electronics and the internet and robotics and who knows what!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Globally, Muslims have the highest fertility rate, an average of 3.1 children per woman – well above replacement level (2.1), the minimum typically needed to maintain a stable population.6 Christians are second, at 2.7 children per woman. Hindu fertility (2.4) is similar to the global average (2.5). Worldwide, Jewish fertility (2.3 children per woman) also is above replacement level. All the other groups have fertility levels too low to sustain their populations: folk religions (1.8 children per woman), other religions (1.7), the unaffiliated (1.7) and Buddhists (1.6).

Another important determinant of growth is the current age distribution of each religious group – whether its adherents are predominantly young, with their prime childbearing years still ahead, or older and largely past their childbearing years.

In 2010, more than a quarter of the world’s total population (27%) was under the age of 15. But an even higher percentage of Muslims (34%) and Hindus (30%) were younger than 15, while the share of Christians under 15 matched the global average (27%). These bulging youth populations are among the reasons that Muslims are projected to grow faster than the world’s overall population and that Hindus and Christians are projected to roughly keep pace with worldwide population growth.

All the remaining groups have smaller-than-average youth populations, and many of them have disproportionately large numbers of adherents over the age of 59. For example, 11% of the world’s population was at least 60 years old in 2010. But fully 20% of Jews around the world are 60 or older, as are 15% of Buddhists, 14% of Christians, 14% of adherents of other religions (taken as a whole), 13% of the unaffiliated and 11% of adherents of folk religions. By contrast, just 7% of Muslims and 8% of Hindus are in this oldest age category.

Demographics are destiny.

Demographics change, as well. Industrialization is destiny, too. And climate change and earthquakes. The railroads and electrification had a huge effect on humanity. And nuclear weapons. Now we have electronics and the internet and robotics and who knows what!

According to various scholars and sources Pentecostalism – a Protestant Christian movement – is the fastest growing religion in the world, this growth is primarily due to religious conversion. According to Pulitzer Center 35,000 people become Pentecostal or "Born again" every day.

Pentecostalism: Massive Global Growth Under the Radar

https://pulitzercenter.org/stories/pentecostalism-massive-global-growth-under-radar

While the Pentecostal movement's growth has been enormous, it has been taking place over several decades and in relative silence. With new members being baptized every three seconds its steady expansion has become normality, taking place in the background unnoticed by the daily news cycle.

Even though Pentecostalism is a global phenomenon, it has no central authority and presents itself in a wide variety—from the mega-churches that seat 100,000 people in Lagos, Nigeria to the informal office suites in European cities and the baroque cathedrals of the Philippines. However, in all these different environments Pentecostalism borrows methods from the corporate world, such as the use of the latest in communication technologies, massive video walls, satellite and internet broadcasting, and the promise of self fulfillment though advertising and self-help books. Local churches often compete with one another and set themselves apart through their corporate identities, logos and uniforms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Globally, Muslims have the highest fertility rate, an average of 3.1 children per woman – well above replacement level (2.1), the minimum typically needed to maintain a stable population.6 Christians are second, at 2.7 children per woman. Hindu fertility (2.4) is similar to the global average (2.5). Worldwide, Jewish fertility (2.3 children per woman) also is above replacement level. All the other groups have fertility levels too low to sustain their populations: folk religions (1.8 children per woman), other religions (1.7), the unaffiliated (1.7) and Buddhists (1.6).

Another important determinant of growth is the current age distribution of each religious group – whether its adherents are predominantly young, with their prime childbearing years still ahead, or older and largely past their childbearing years.

In 2010, more than a quarter of the world’s total population (27%) was under the age of 15. But an even higher percentage of Muslims (34%) and Hindus (30%) were younger than 15, while the share of Christians under 15 matched the global average (27%). These bulging youth populations are among the reasons that Muslims are projected to grow faster than the world’s overall population and that Hindus and Christians are projected to roughly keep pace with worldwide population growth.

All the remaining groups have smaller-than-average youth populations, and many of them have disproportionately large numbers of adherents over the age of 59. For example, 11% of the world’s population was at least 60 years old in 2010. But fully 20% of Jews around the world are 60 or older, as are 15% of Buddhists, 14% of Christians, 14% of adherents of other religions (taken as a whole), 13% of the unaffiliated and 11% of adherents of folk religions. By contrast, just 7% of Muslims and 8% of Hindus are in this oldest age category.

Demographics are destiny.

Demographics change, as well. Industrialization is destiny, too. And climate change and earthquakes. The railroads and electrification had a huge effect on humanity. And nuclear weapons. Now we have electronics and the internet and robotics and who knows what!

According to various scholars and sources Pentecostalism – a Protestant Christian movement – is the fastest growing religion in the world, this growth is primarily due to religious conversion. According to Pulitzer Center 35,000 people become Pentecostal or "Born again" every day.

Pentecostalism: Massive Global Growth Under the Radar

https://pulitzercenter.org/stories/pentecostalism-massive-global-growth-under-radar

While the Pentecostal movement's growth has been enormous, it has been taking place over several decades and in relative silence. With new members being baptized every three seconds its steady expansion has become normality, taking place in the background unnoticed by the daily news cycle.

Even though Pentecostalism is a global phenomenon, it has no central authority and presents itself in a wide variety—from the mega-churches that seat 100,000 people in Lagos, Nigeria to the informal office suites in European cities and the baroque cathedrals of the Philippines. However, in all these different environments Pentecostalism borrows methods from the corporate world, such as the use of the latest in communication technologies, massive video walls, satellite and internet broadcasting, and the promise of self fulfillment though advertising and self-help books. Local churches often compete with one another and set themselves apart through their corporate identities, logos and uniforms.

Kids being raised Pentecostal will likely drop the religion as adults. Too extreme.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Globally, Muslims have the highest fertility rate, an average of 3.1 children per woman – well above replacement level (2.1), the minimum typically needed to maintain a stable population.6 Christians are second, at 2.7 children per woman. Hindu fertility (2.4) is similar to the global average (2.5). Worldwide, Jewish fertility (2.3 children per woman) also is above replacement level. All the other groups have fertility levels too low to sustain their populations: folk religions (1.8 children per woman), other religions (1.7), the unaffiliated (1.7) and Buddhists (1.6).

Another important determinant of growth is the current age distribution of each religious group – whether its adherents are predominantly young, with their prime childbearing years still ahead, or older and largely past their childbearing years.

In 2010, more than a quarter of the world’s total population (27%) was under the age of 15. But an even higher percentage of Muslims (34%) and Hindus (30%) were younger than 15, while the share of Christians under 15 matched the global average (27%). These bulging youth populations are among the reasons that Muslims are projected to grow faster than the world’s overall population and that Hindus and Christians are projected to roughly keep pace with worldwide population growth.

All the remaining groups have smaller-than-average youth populations, and many of them have disproportionately large numbers of adherents over the age of 59. For example, 11% of the world’s population was at least 60 years old in 2010. But fully 20% of Jews around the world are 60 or older, as are 15% of Buddhists, 14% of Christians, 14% of adherents of other religions (taken as a whole), 13% of the unaffiliated and 11% of adherents of folk religions. By contrast, just 7% of Muslims and 8% of Hindus are in this oldest age category.

Demographics are destiny.

Demographics change, as well. Industrialization is destiny, too. And climate change and earthquakes. The railroads and electrification had a huge effect on humanity. And nuclear weapons. Now we have electronics and the internet and robotics and who knows what!

According to various scholars and sources Pentecostalism – a Protestant Christian movement – is the fastest growing religion in the world, this growth is primarily due to religious conversion. According to Pulitzer Center 35,000 people become Pentecostal or "Born again" every day.

Pentecostalism: Massive Global Growth Under the Radar

https://pulitzercenter.org/stories/pentecostalism-massive-global-growth-under-radar

While the Pentecostal movement's growth has been enormous, it has been taking place over several decades and in relative silence. With new members being baptized every three seconds its steady expansion has become normality, taking place in the background unnoticed by the daily news cycle.

Even though Pentecostalism is a global phenomenon, it has no central authority and presents itself in a wide variety—from the mega-churches that seat 100,000 people in Lagos, Nigeria to the informal office suites in European cities and the baroque cathedrals of the Philippines. However, in all these different environments Pentecostalism borrows methods from the corporate world, such as the use of the latest in communication technologies, massive video walls, satellite and internet broadcasting, and the promise of self fulfillment though advertising and self-help books. Local churches often compete with one another and set themselves apart through their corporate identities, logos and uniforms.

Kids being raised Pentecostal will likely drop the religion as adults. Too extreme.

Do you have a link or source that backs that up? Or is that just your opinion?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our church is growing and thriving. We attract people of all ages.

People who attend church regularly tend to be healthier and happier according to research.

Our church is welcoming and inclusive of GTLBQ +, immigrants, young, old and anyone who feels attracted to our services, spiritual practice groups, communit dinners, smaller social activities, forums, Bible studies, and extensive community service work.

Church is still an important part of life for many us.

However I can see why many people may have stopped attending church in recent years during the pandemic and extreme exploitation of religion for cynical political purposes and hate mongering.

May I ask what type of church you attend?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our church is growing and thriving. We attract people of all ages.

People who attend church regularly tend to be healthier and happier according to research.

Our church is welcoming and inclusive of GTLBQ +, immigrants, young, old and anyone who feels attracted to our services, spiritual practice groups, communit dinners, smaller social activities, forums, Bible studies, and extensive community service work.

Church is still an important part of life for many us.

However I can see why many people may have stopped attending church in recent years during the pandemic and extreme exploitation of religion for cynical political purposes and hate mongering.

May I ask what type of church you attend?

not pp, but it sounds like it could be any progressive protestant church with a good pastor - e.g., Lutheran, Episcopalian, Methodist, UCC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Globally, Muslims have the highest fertility rate, an average of 3.1 children per woman – well above replacement level (2.1), the minimum typically needed to maintain a stable population.6 Christians are second, at 2.7 children per woman. Hindu fertility (2.4) is similar to the global average (2.5). Worldwide, Jewish fertility (2.3 children per woman) also is above replacement level. All the other groups have fertility levels too low to sustain their populations: folk religions (1.8 children per woman), other religions (1.7), the unaffiliated (1.7) and Buddhists (1.6).

Another important determinant of growth is the current age distribution of each religious group – whether its adherents are predominantly young, with their prime childbearing years still ahead, or older and largely past their childbearing years.

In 2010, more than a quarter of the world’s total population (27%) was under the age of 15. But an even higher percentage of Muslims (34%) and Hindus (30%) were younger than 15, while the share of Christians under 15 matched the global average (27%). These bulging youth populations are among the reasons that Muslims are projected to grow faster than the world’s overall population and that Hindus and Christians are projected to roughly keep pace with worldwide population growth.

All the remaining groups have smaller-than-average youth populations, and many of them have disproportionately large numbers of adherents over the age of 59. For example, 11% of the world’s population was at least 60 years old in 2010. But fully 20% of Jews around the world are 60 or older, as are 15% of Buddhists, 14% of Christians, 14% of adherents of other religions (taken as a whole), 13% of the unaffiliated and 11% of adherents of folk religions. By contrast, just 7% of Muslims and 8% of Hindus are in this oldest age category.

Demographics are destiny.

Demographics change, as well. Industrialization is destiny, too. And climate change and earthquakes. The railroads and electrification had a huge effect on humanity. And nuclear weapons. Now we have electronics and the internet and robotics and who knows what!

According to various scholars and sources Pentecostalism – a Protestant Christian movement – is the fastest growing religion in the world, this growth is primarily due to religious conversion. According to Pulitzer Center 35,000 people become Pentecostal or "Born again" every day.

Pentecostalism: Massive Global Growth Under the Radar

https://pulitzercenter.org/stories/pentecostalism-massive-global-growth-under-radar

While the Pentecostal movement's growth has been enormous, it has been taking place over several decades and in relative silence. With new members being baptized every three seconds its steady expansion has become normality, taking place in the background unnoticed by the daily news cycle.

Even though Pentecostalism is a global phenomenon, it has no central authority and presents itself in a wide variety—from the mega-churches that seat 100,000 people in Lagos, Nigeria to the informal office suites in European cities and the baroque cathedrals of the Philippines. However, in all these different environments Pentecostalism borrows methods from the corporate world, such as the use of the latest in communication technologies, massive video walls, satellite and internet broadcasting, and the promise of self fulfillment though advertising and self-help books. Local churches often compete with one another and set themselves apart through their corporate identities, logos and uniforms.

Kids being raised Pentecostal will likely drop the religion as adults. Too extreme.

Do you have a link or source that backs that up? Or is that just your opinion?

my opinion

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Globally, Muslims have the highest fertility rate, an average of 3.1 children per woman – well above replacement level (2.1), the minimum typically needed to maintain a stable population.6 Christians are second, at 2.7 children per woman. Hindu fertility (2.4) is similar to the global average (2.5). Worldwide, Jewish fertility (2.3 children per woman) also is above replacement level. All the other groups have fertility levels too low to sustain their populations: folk religions (1.8 children per woman), other religions (1.7), the unaffiliated (1.7) and Buddhists (1.6).

Another important determinant of growth is the current age distribution of each religious group – whether its adherents are predominantly young, with their prime childbearing years still ahead, or older and largely past their childbearing years.

In 2010, more than a quarter of the world’s total population (27%) was under the age of 15. But an even higher percentage of Muslims (34%) and Hindus (30%) were younger than 15, while the share of Christians under 15 matched the global average (27%). These bulging youth populations are among the reasons that Muslims are projected to grow faster than the world’s overall population and that Hindus and Christians are projected to roughly keep pace with worldwide population growth.

All the remaining groups have smaller-than-average youth populations, and many of them have disproportionately large numbers of adherents over the age of 59. For example, 11% of the world’s population was at least 60 years old in 2010. But fully 20% of Jews around the world are 60 or older, as are 15% of Buddhists, 14% of Christians, 14% of adherents of other religions (taken as a whole), 13% of the unaffiliated and 11% of adherents of folk religions. By contrast, just 7% of Muslims and 8% of Hindus are in this oldest age category.

Demographics are destiny.

Demographics change, as well. Industrialization is destiny, too. And climate change and earthquakes. The railroads and electrification had a huge effect on humanity. And nuclear weapons. Now we have electronics and the internet and robotics and who knows what!

According to various scholars and sources Pentecostalism – a Protestant Christian movement – is the fastest growing religion in the world, this growth is primarily due to religious conversion. According to Pulitzer Center 35,000 people become Pentecostal or "Born again" every day.

Pentecostalism: Massive Global Growth Under the Radar

https://pulitzercenter.org/stories/pentecostalism-massive-global-growth-under-radar

While the Pentecostal movement's growth has been enormous, it has been taking place over several decades and in relative silence. With new members being baptized every three seconds its steady expansion has become normality, taking place in the background unnoticed by the daily news cycle.

Even though Pentecostalism is a global phenomenon, it has no central authority and presents itself in a wide variety—from the mega-churches that seat 100,000 people in Lagos, Nigeria to the informal office suites in European cities and the baroque cathedrals of the Philippines. However, in all these different environments Pentecostalism borrows methods from the corporate world, such as the use of the latest in communication technologies, massive video walls, satellite and internet broadcasting, and the promise of self fulfillment though advertising and self-help books. Local churches often compete with one another and set themselves apart through their corporate identities, logos and uniforms.

Kids being raised Pentecostal will likely drop the religion as adults. Too extreme.

Do you have a link or source that backs that up? Or is that just your opinion?

my opinion

Although this 2019 research done by a Christian organization shows college students are leaving the church:

https://research.lifeway.com/2019/01/15/most-teenagers-drop-out-of-church-as-young-adults/