Pew: U.S. Christianity decline eases, but Catholics endure ‘greatest net losses’

[Michie]

(OSV News) — A multiyear decline in Christianity in the U.S. may have leveled off, according to a new survey by Pew Research Center. However, the Catholic Church, the survey found, is seeing the greatest net losses of believers compared to other religions in the U.S.

The data indicates that for every one person received into the Catholic Church, another 8.4 individuals have left the faith, either altogether or for another worship tradition. This increases the trend Pew found in 2014, when 6.5 Catholics left the faith for every person who entered.

Pew’s new survey also shows just 29% of the nation’s Catholics attend religious services weekly or more often. Altogether four in 10 Catholics attend religious services monthly or more.

In addition, support among U.S. Catholics for legalized abortion, homosexuality and other stances at odds with church teaching has increased over the past decade and a half.

Continued below.

Pew: U.S. Christianity decline eases, but Catholics endure 'greatest net losses'

Pew's new survey shows U.S. Christianity's decline has slowed, but Catholics face the greatest losses, with many leaving the faith.

www.oursundayvisitor.com

 

[RileyG]

Lord have mercy! Praying for an increase in population for Holy Mother Church!

 

[Valletta]

(OSV News) — A multiyear decline in Christianity in the U.S. may have leveled off, according to a new survey by Pew Research Center. However, the Catholic Church, the survey found, is seeing the greatest net losses of believers compared to other religions in the U.S.

The data indicates that for every one person received into the Catholic Church, another 8.4 individuals have left the faith, either altogether or for another worship tradition. This increases the trend Pew found in 2014, when 6.5 Catholics left the faith for every person who entered.

Pew’s new survey also shows just 29% of the nation’s Catholics attend religious services weekly or more often. Altogether four in 10 Catholics attend religious services monthly or more.

In addition, support among U.S. Catholics for legalized abortion, homosexuality and other stances at odds with church teaching has increased over the past decade and a half.

Continued below.

Pew: U.S. Christianity decline eases, but Catholics endure 'greatest net losses'

Pew's new survey shows U.S. Christianity's decline has slowed, but Catholics face the greatest losses, with many leaving the faith.

www.oursundayvisitor.com

The Catholic Church has been the number one target of our secular society. Since the Catholic Church is seen as the leader of the pro-life movement the attacks should be no surprise. Those without a prayer life are bound to fall.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Lord have mercy! Praying for an increase in population for Holy Mother Church!

Apparently, there's been an orthodox increase.

 

[FireDragon76]

Apparently, there's been an orthodox increase.

Orthodox numbers are so low, it's difficult to interpret the significance of recent growth. And Orthodoxy has an embarrassing pattern in modern times of being a revolving door, where converts and cradles frequently leave the religion over time. Despite all the hype about Orthodoxy's deep spirituality, people find it hard to stay engaged in a religious tradition that is often so vague in its aims, obscure and obtuse in its theology, combined with a nasty tendency to excuse poor or bad behavior, or frank corruption, through appeals to pietism.

 

[RileyG]

The Catholic Church in the US isn't responding adequately to longstanding criticism. People tend to resent un-elected, un-accountable clergy who tell them what to do. The Church has learned little from the priestly abuse scandals. Pope Francis has earned Catholics some goodwill, but it's not enough without fundamental reforms.



Orthodox numbers are so low, it's difficult to interpret the significance of recent growth. And Orthodoxy has an embarrassing pattern in modern times of being a revolving door, where converts and cradles frequently leave the religion over time.

The abuse scandals occurred because of homosexuality, not pedophilia. Most abused were teen boys or young men.

Also, a vast majority of priests are good and holy men.

I have a deep love for the (good) clergy, and will defend them.

To the clergy that did evil….shame on them…they deserve the wrath of God.

Speaking as a faithful Catholic.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Orthodox numbers are so low, it's difficult to interpret the significance of recent growth. And Orthodoxy has an embarrassing pattern in modern times of being a revolving door, where converts and cradles frequently leave the religion over time. Despite all the hype about Orthodoxy's deep spirituality, people find it hard to stay engaged in a religious tradition that is often so vague in its aims, obscure and obtuse in its theology, combined with a nasty tendency to excuse poor or bad behavior, or frank corruption, through appeals to pietism.

When an organization is filled with humans, it's difficult to grow in size without having self interest creeping in.

 

[Wolseley]

"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first.....at that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other; and because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold."
(2 Thessalonians 2:3; Matthew 24:10,13)

 

[joymercy]

The abuse scandals occurred because of homosexuality, not pedophilia. Most abused were teen boys or young men.

Also, a vast majority of priests are good and holy men.

I have a deep love for the (good) clergy, and will defend them.

To the clergy that did evil….shame on them…they deserve the wrath of God.

Speaking as a faithful Catholic.

Thanks

 

[FaithT]

(OSV News) — A multiyear decline in Christianity in the U.S. may have leveled off, according to a new survey by Pew Research Center. However, the Catholic Church, the survey found, is seeing the greatest net losses of believers compared to other religions in the U.S.

The data indicates that for every one person received into the Catholic Church, another 8.4 individuals have left the faith, either altogether or for another worship tradition. This increases the trend Pew found in 2014, when 6.5 Catholics left the faith for every person who entered.

Pew’s new survey also shows just 29% of the nation’s Catholics attend religious services weekly or more often. Altogether four in 10 Catholics attend religious services monthly or more.

In addition, support among U.S. Catholics for legalized abortion, homosexuality and other stances at odds with church teaching has increased over the past decade and a half.

Continued below.

Pew: U.S. Christianity decline eases, but Catholics endure 'greatest net losses'

Pew's new survey shows U.S. Christianity's decline has slowed, but Catholics face the greatest losses, with many leaving the faith.

www.oursundayvisitor.com

I’ve noticed that at my church since it’s become warmer out, the pews are less full. Soccer? Softball?

 

[FaithT]

My husband who isn’t Catholic was occasionally going to my old Lutheran church but since our grandson started soccer again the time conflicts and opts to watch soccer.

 

[Lady Bug]

Could it be about how more aggressive or successful Evangelical "marketing" is? Who knows.

 

[RileyG]

I’ve noticed that at my church since it’s become warmer out, the pews are less full. Soccer? Softball?

Yes. Some people don’t think skipping mass is a big deal, even though in reality, it’s a mortal sin.

 

[Lady Bug]

Yes. Some people don’t think skipping mass is a big deal, even though in reality, it’s a mortal sin.

I feel terrible when I "can't" go to Mass
I honestly could never choose soccer over Mass!

 

[FaithT]

Could it be about how more aggressive or successful Evangelical "marketing" is? Who knows.

I don’t know. I think It’s their music, cafes, programs etc.

 

[FaithT]

Yes. Some people don’t think skipping mass is a big deal, even though in reality, it’s a mortal sin.

I used to skip Mass a lot but since I’ve gotten more serious about my faith I still consider it sometimes and then go anyway….because otherwise I’d have to confess it later. Or skip Holy Communion.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

The abuse scandals occurred because of homosexuality, not pedophilia.

The worse scandal was the cover up and moving predators to new locations free to continue their crimes.

 

[FaithT]

I feel terrible when I "can't" go to Mass
I honestly could never choose soccer over Mass!

That’s probably why there are so many Mass times available, so everyone has the chance to go.

 

[FaithT]

The real scandal was the cover up and moving predators to new locations free to continue their crimes.

True. And who was responsible for that?

 

[RileyG]

The worse scandal was the cover up and moving predators to new locations free to continue their crimes.

Yes, because of homosexual predators. And bishops who protected those perverts.

May God punish them.