Why People Aren’t Religious Anymore: 11 Reasons

Pew Research Center surveys in 2072 showed 90% of Americans identified as affiliated with a religion. By 2017, that figure had dramatically reduced to 70%. The number of people describing themselves as atheist, agnostic, or “nothing in particular” increased from 17% in 2009 to 26% in 2018. A total of 54% said in 2017 they attend religious services a few times a year or less, up from 47% in 2009. [1] A Gallup poll found church membership declined from 70% in 2000 to 47% in 2020. [2]

In Europe, only 18% describe themselves as “practicing Christians.” [3]

There are 11 reasons for the decline in religions:

1. Science and Skepticism
2. Diverse Spiritual Options
3. Growing Freedom in Spiritual Exploration
4. Negative Press from Church Scandals
5. Increased Access to Spiritual Information Apart from Religions
6. Negative Experiences with Religions
7. Society’s Increased Focus on Individuals Rather Than Stable Groups
8. The Pervasive Influence of a Secular Society
9. Changing Morality Views
10. The Rise of Intersectionality
11. Modern Life’s Increasing Complexity

Science and Skepticism ~ America’s constitution forbids the establishment of a national religion, but there are belief systems that cleverly circumvent the 14th Amendment by convincing society that they are not religions. Materialist scientism and atheism militantly campaign for their belief systems and abolishment of the alternatives that include a god in their charters. These pervasive non-religious religions hold sway over Western civilization in with a strength only medieval Christianity had achieved in the West. Faced with the incessant press about the discoveries of science and its priestly class of scholars that insist spirituality and religion are primitive superstitions held only by ignorant, superstitious bumpkins, people are jettisoning spirituality and religion altogether to follow the new religion with tenacity. 

Diverse Spiritual Options ~ During the last few decades, as people turned their backs on traditional religions, alternative spiritual and self-help practices evolved. People began to explore and adopt some or all of these alternatives as they sought meaning in their lives they no longer found in the archaic, ritualized religions of previous generations.

Growing Freedom in Spiritual Exploration ~ In previous centuries, any belief system other than Christianity was not tolerated. Even Islam and Judaism were frowned upon. Today, having alternative religious views or no interest in spirituality in any form are perfectly acceptable. 

Negative Press from Church Scandals ~ Scandals widely covered in the press, such as misdeeds by religious leaders and pedophile scandals, have betrayed people’s expectations that religious leaders must be trustworthy, above reproach, and open.

Increased Access to Spiritual Information Apart from Religions ~ Smartphones, Internet access, wide varieties of video programs, and other mass media have presented a plethora of alternatives available to satisfy people’s spiritual yearnings. The staid, archaic traditions of organized religions are less appealing than modern alternatives.

Negative Experiences with Religions ~ Squabbles in church bodies and denial of the central tenet to love one other have soured many on their church organizations. Christianity now has over 38,000 denominations and sects, illustrating that the wheels regularly come off church wagons, so people feel the necessity of forming yet another church body. In 2023, a quarter of Methodist congregations abandoned the central body over a dispute about LGBTQ issues. 

Society’s Increased Focus on Individuals Rather Than Stable Groups ~ Churches focus on the church body and neglect parishioners’ individual needs and views. Members are preoccupied with their individual pressing issues; church activities are an unnecessary, irrelevant distraction.

The Pervasive Influence of a Secular Society ~ We do what others in our society do. We dress as they do, speak the language they speak, avoid offensive words as they do, and otherwise follow the unwritten dictums the others are following so we can be accepted. The term “socially unacceptable” that is used to describe unacceptable behavior simply means “that just isn’t done in polite society.” Today, people are shy to admit they have the belief systems of a religion because society has become increasingly secular. “God” is used only in expletives and in the emergency room. Saying you go to church every Sunday is regarded by most as prudish.

Changing Morality Views ~ Social media, a sea of mass communication propaganda, and general loss of family-transmitted values have created societies in which there are no moral absolutes. The insistence religions hold that adherents must follow certain moral dictums chaffs at the emerging freedom from moral dictums. Religions are asking of today’s youth especially that they follow moral precepts they regard as archaic and suppressive. They are following their own paths that feel right and good to them. Religions get in the way.

The Rise of Intersectionality ~ Today’s pervasive belief that the established frameworks of society are bastions of oppression toward alternative sexual preferences, people with disabilities, different nationalities, gender identity, and racial identity have identified the old religions with the oppressors. 

Modern Life’s Increasing Complexity ~ Everyone today is preoccupied with the burdens of responsibilities and activities that leave no room for attending a church service that has little meaning for them. Sunday has become just another day of the work week or the day off work when all those things that have been left to having a little “free time” must be accomplished to eradicate the free time

Conclusion 

The decline in religious affiliation and attendance in both America and Europe can be attributed to a complex interplay of factors. From the rise of alternative spiritual practices to the negative impacts of church scandals and the influence of secularism, society is witnessing a significant shift away from traditional religious institutions. Increased access to diverse spiritual information and changing moral views further contribute to this trend. Additionally, the modern emphasis on individualism and the complexities of contemporary life leave little room for traditional religious participation. As society evolves, it is evident that the landscape of spirituality is undergoing profound transformations, reflecting a broader reevaluation of traditional belief systems in the face of new social, cultural, and technological realities.