I think one of the older studies delved into the demographics of individuals switching between faiths in detail.
Some of what you’re seeing instead is that the youngest cohort is the least protestant, while the oldest is the most. Project that out 5 years with new young people and a loss of older people, and just constant percentages in each cohort makes a dent, though I’d guess that there must be some switching as well, for such a large jump in the whole population.
Catholic membership across cohorts is relatively constant, so it doesn’t show that effect, but white catholics are disappearing, while hispanic catholics grow to keep the overall numbers constant. So white catholics are likely leaving too.
That is correct. Here is an article based on that earlier survey which includes a cool chart of faith switching. A plurality of “nones” were previously Catholic.
I’ve heard before that if you count denominations, catholics have the most and former catholics are more numerous than any other individual religious organization.
I think one of the older studies delved into the demographics of individuals switching between faiths in detail.
Some of what you’re seeing instead is that the youngest cohort is the least protestant, while the oldest is the most. Project that out 5 years with new young people and a loss of older people, and just constant percentages in each cohort makes a dent, though I’d guess that there must be some switching as well, for such a large jump in the whole population.
Catholic membership across cohorts is relatively constant, so it doesn’t show that effect, but white catholics are disappearing, while hispanic catholics grow to keep the overall numbers constant. So white catholics are likely leaving too.
That is correct. Here is an article based on that earlier survey which includes a cool chart of faith switching. A plurality of “nones” were previously Catholic.
I’ve heard before that if you count denominations, catholics have the most and former catholics are more numerous than any other individual religious organization.
Nice.
That article contains more good links from Pew.
The 2007 Religious Survey, with interactive analysis. http://religions.pewforum.org/
Faith in Flux: Changes in Religious Affiliation in the U.S. http://www.pewforum.org/newassets/images/reports/flux/fullreport.pdf
I like it. I had just tracked down the previous Millenial analysis the other day, and now I’ve got all the links for the recent info in one place.