Catholic tradition fading in US (Evangelical Protestants now outnumber Catholics)

The Washington Times ^ | February 26, 2008 | Julia Duin

[Between the Lines]

Evangelical Christianity has become the largest religious tradition in this country, supplanting Roman Catholicism, which is slowly bleeding members, according to a survey released yesterday by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.

Evangelical Protestants outnumber Catholics by 26.3 percent (59 million) to 24 percent (54 million) of the population, according to the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, a massive 45-question poll conducted last summer of more than 35,000 American adults.

"There is no question that the demographic balance has shifted in past few decades toward evangelical churches," said Greg Smith, a research fellow at the Pew Forum. "They are now the mainline of American Protestantism."

The traditional mainline Protestant churches, which in 1957 constituted about 66 percent of the populace, now count just 18 percent as adherents.

Although one in three Americans are raised Roman Catholic, only one in four adults describe themselves as such, despite the huge numbers of immigrants swelling American churches, researchers said.

"Immigration is what is keeping them afloat," said John Green, a Pew senior fellow. "If everyone who was raised Catholic stayed Catholic, it'd be a third of the country."

Those who leave Catholicism mostly either drop out of church entirely or join Pentecostal or evangelical Protestant churches, Pew Forum director Luis Lugo said. One out of every 10 evangelicals is a former Catholic, he said, with Hispanic Catholics leaving at higher rates; 20 percent of them end up in evangelical or Pentecostal churches.

"It's a desire for a closer experience of God," he said. "It's not so much disenchantment with the teachings of the Catholic Church but the pull of what they see in Pentecostalism."

[Iscool]

Actually, statictis show that Catholic number remain the same (see MSN.com) mainly due to Latin American immigration. So, it seems everyone has their own statistics to “prove” their agenda, like the various political polls...we have lost all principles when it comes truth.

Count the number of your parishes and schools closing...That's the real statistic...

[al_c]

Good preaching (motivational speaking, to you) DOES bring you closer to God...

Um, no ... I think you misunderstood. Good preaching is not motivational speaking to me. Yes, good preaching does bring a better understanding of God thus bringing one closer. My motivational speaking comment was a tongue-in-cheek comment about these so-called churches that people are fleeing to. I've listened to some of them speak and I've listened to motivational speakers. They are very much alike.

[al_c]

They have had enough with religion and want God. That is why they are leaving.

Not true. They are being actively recruited by the evangelicals to leave the RCC. Heck, even the Mormons are down there south of the border pulling them away.

[al_c]

BTW, People are converting to the Catholic Church everywhere!

Yep. We now outnumber the Baptists in the Dallas area.

[FourtySeven]

I think it's time for this again; I think I'll post it in large font this time. Maybe then it'll sink in (to those who worry about things like this) Even though it's about "fastest growing" claims, it also applies to the reverse case too. The take home message is, "Numbers do not necessarily equal VERACITY".

Fastest Growing Fallacy

[al_c]

Count the number of your parishes and schools closing...That's the real statistic...

They may be closing in the northeast, but they're opening and expanding in the south.

[Campion]

Count the number of your parishes and schools closing...That's the real statistic

Pretty small number except in rustbelt cities which have been depopulated anyway, and specifically depopulated of the white ethnics who built those churches.

They're all in Florida and Texas now.

[Salvation]

That’s a good link. One to post along the way.

[annalex]

There is a mystical connection between the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Catholic Church, based on

26 When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. 27 After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own. (John 19)

My mother and my brethren are they who hear the word of God, and do it. (Luke 8:21)

Both are thought of as mother.

[Clemenza]

While the RCC has not had the massive loss of membership that the mainline Protestant churches have had, it still is interesting that 1/3 of all Catholics raised in the faith have left the faith, with the increase in Catholics largely coming via immigration (over 30% of American Catholics are now Latino).

I think EWTN and other evangelical outreach should help spread the faith. Alot has been made of converts to the Evangelical Protestant Churches, but an even bigger factor are the ex-Catholics, such as myself, who have just left the faith (I can write a book on my own experience).

I think the issue is closely tied to wealth and upward mobility. When the Church had poor immigrants and their children "captive" in "parish" neighborhoods, they were able to exert a high degree of influence that will likely never be seen again. When some of the descendants of said people grew wealthy and suburbanized (and assimilated), they saw the faith of their ancestors as being archaic in the sense that it was associated with poverty and downward mobility.

The reason I mentioned EWTN is that they are not afraid to actively engage the more educated portion of our population. They are good at educating and reaching out to those folks who haven't learned anything about Catholicism since their 8th Grade catechism class.

[Clemenza]

Yep. We now outnumber the Baptists in the Dallas area.

"Si se Puede!"

You have not addressed the issue as to why 1/3 of those raised Catholic leave the faith, and how there would be a net loss if not for immigration, per Pew and most surveys.

[Clemenza]

If you look at the study, you will see that it is Latino immigrants who have replaced the 1/3 of those raised Catholic who have left the faith.

[Clemenza]

There is some truth in what Annalex is saying. 40 years ago, if someone named Czanecki told anyone, especially family, that he was now a member of the Assembly of God, they would have been shocked and mocked him as a “traitor”, even if they themselves were not very religious. This has changed due to assimilation.

[al_c]

You have not addressed the issue as to why 1/3 of those raised Catholic leave the faith, and how there would be a net loss if not for immigration, per Pew and most surveys.

I didn't know that I was asked to address that.

[OLD REGGIE]

Here is the real "slap you in the face" statistic contained in this article. That is a massive drop in the space of half a century. This is where the real hemorrhaging has occurred. Naturally, that doesn't warrant a headline, though.

Instead, we're served the "Catholicism is dying" headline du jour.

The real story here is that there has been a drastic shift from mainline Protestant churches to evangelical ones.

Considering the scandals, liturgical lunacy, apostasy and heresy which have plagued the Catholic Church over recent decades, I'd say these figures are a testament to the faith and long-suffering of Catholics in general.

Instead, we're served the "Catholicism is dying" headline du jour.

And you feel compelled to counter your imaginary headline with one of your own - "Protestantism is dying."

"Mainline" Protestantism is dying but it is largely being replaced with Evangelical Protestantism. The loss in Catholic numbers is being replaced by immigrants, not new members.

The fact is, Christianity in the United States is on a losing streak being largely replaced by secularism.

Two interesting articles, drawing on the same Pew Poll follow:

US religious identity is rapidly changing

Protestants likely to become a minority; Growing percentage now unaffiliated; Immigrants help fill Catholic parishes.

You may note that overall Protestantism is losing members; 11% leaving vs 8.4% joining, a real loss of 2.6%.

The same statics for Catholicism show 10.1% leaving vs 2.6% joining, a real loss of 7.5%. Any growth in the Catholic Church is based on the overwheming preponderance of Catholics among immigrants.

Losing our religion

SURVEY | 44% in U.S. have switched faiths -- Catholicism hit hardest

The numbers are meaningful. You'd be well served to pay attention to the factors behind them rather than attacking the press.

[OLD REGGIE]

Closer than the real presence? I think what they're really looking for is more of a feeling. That's too bad. Motivational speaking will not necessarily bring you closer to God.

But we both know al, most Catholics either don't believe in the Real Presence or don't understand the meaning.

[al_c]

But we both know al, most Catholics either don't believe in the Real Presence or don't understand the meaning.

Unfortunately, you are correct. Those are probably the ones that are leaving.

Sorry about your Patsies, Reg. ;o)

[al_c]

Let me correct myself. While I agree there are Catholics that don’t believe in the real presence, I doubut it’s “most” as you claim. I’d like to see your numbers on that.

[OLD REGGIE]

BTW, People are converting to the Catholic Church everywhere!

And leaving in greater numbers.

[OLD REGGIE]

Another factor is that if one buys into modern "liberal" Christianity, then religion is nothing more than left-wing political "social justice" causes, and there is no real point to making an effort to go to church Sunday mornings, and certainly no incentive for any children to go once they are of age.

Right on!