Half of U.S. losing its religion: study

The study released Monday by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, interviewed more than 35,000 adults. The survey found that the U.S. religious marketplace is extremely volatile, with nearly half of American adults leaving the faith tradition of their upbringing to either switch allegiances or abandon religious affiliation altogether.

How might this impact marriage?

We are huge proponents of community: doing life with like-minded couples, and seeking out solid relationships for support and accountability.  The best place to find these relationships is in the context of the local church. If increasing numbers are 'unaffiliated',  community will be  that much more allusive.

• While much of the study confirms earlier findings — mainline Protestant churches are in decline, non-denominational churches are gaining and the ranks of the unaffiliated are growing.
• More than one-quarter of American adults have left the faith of their childhood for another religion or no religion at all, the survey found.
• One in four adults ages 18 to 29 claim no affiliation with a religious institution.
• The Roman Catholic Church has lost more members than any faith tradition because of affiliation swapping, the survey found. While nearly one in three Americans were raised Catholic, fewer than one in four say they’re Catholic today.
• On the Protestant side, changes in affiliation are swelling the ranks of nondenominational churches, while Baptist and Methodist traditions are showing net losses.

Associated Press