But “Mormons have increased in numbers enough to hold their own proportionally, at 1.4 percent of the population.” That’s the verdict of the latest American Religious Identification Survey, which found that “86% of American adults identified as Christians in 1990 and 76% in 2008.” That’s still 3 out of 4, but the trend is unmistakable. Mormon Metaphysics discussed some of the other findings: 69.5% believe in a personal God; 12.1% believe in The Force (i.e., an impersonal higher power); 4.3% said there is no way to know about God or The Force; and 2.3% said there is no God. That totals 88.2%. Not sure what the other 11.8% believe. Morehead’s Musings also posted a very nice discussion of the survey results.
The ARIS highlights page gives the following helpful summary of findings:
- The historic Mainline churches and denominations have experienced the steepest declines while the non-denominational Christian identity has been trending upward particularly since 2001.
- The challenge to Christianity in the U.S. does not come from other religions but rather from a rejection of all forms of organized religion.
- The U. S. population continues to show signs of becoming less religious, with one out of every five Americans failing to indicate a religious identity in 2008.
- Those who stated no religious preference or answered either atheist or agnostic continue to grow, from 8.2% in 1990, to 14.1% in 2001, to 15.0% in 2008.
posted March 24, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Slowly?
posted March 24, 2009 at 11:58 pm
In the survey results, it appeared that adherents to Catholicism did not fare as badly as Protestants. However, when you consider the substantial in-migration of largely-Catholic Hispanics during the past 15 years, it appears that the decline of Catholic adherents may have had a similar decline to the Protestant denominations.
In that light, Mormonism holding it’s numbers are quite impressive.
posted March 25, 2009 at 2:04 am
Don’t Mormons also believe in “an impersonal higher power?” The “Priesthood” is a lot like “The Force,” as far as I can tell; both are mysterious, impersonal forces wielded by personal beings. So why the mocking tone?
posted March 25, 2009 at 2:49 am
Thanks for the comment, wondering. No mockery intended. “The Force” was a term generally used with awe and reverence, and if such is the focus of your (or anyone else’s) belief … well, may it be with you. The dismissive or mocking term used in reference to impersonal higher powers would be “hokey religion,” as in: “Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.”
posted March 25, 2009 at 4:19 am
Wondering, Although some people conceive of the Priesthood in that way, I think most Mormons view it primarily as a conditional delegation of divine power and authority.
posted March 25, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Religious mockery is sometimes framed in sentences like:
Don’t try and frighten us with Sorceror’s ways. Your sad devotion to that ancient religion has not helped you conjure up the stolen data tapes, or given you clairvoyance enough to find the Rebels’ hidden fortr–
Religious mockery of that sort can also be dangerous.
posted April 2, 2009 at 2:58 am
I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Ruth
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