The US has also seen an increase in a focus on “spirituality”. This doubt is not the only factor causing the “unaffiliated” response to increase. The doubt that a god exists has been growing quickly in adults under age 30 and across all demographics. This identification does, however, include atheism as well as agnostic, humanist, and no religious preference. Many unaffiliated individuals have some belief in one or several gods and even participate in religious behaviors, such as prayer. Why, then, does a country with such profound religious roots have a population where nearly a quarter of the residents identify as unaffiliated with any church or religion? To begin with, 'unaffiliated' does not necessarily mean non-religious. Since the earliest of colonial times, Protestantism has deeply influenced the development of the US. This “Great Awakening” happened again in the 1800’s and continued spreading and creating denominations of Protestant Christianity. One hundred years later, in the 1700’s, the Protestant religion saw a reawakening of parishioners and church attendance rose. Small groups of people with slightly different beliefs than the Puritans continued to break away from that church and form their own communities and religious principles. The immigrant population continued to grow and spread the Protestant religion which even became the official religion of the Virginia Colony. These colonists (“Puritans”) emigrated from England to avoid conflict and purify their church of Roman Catholic influences. Religious Makeup of the US Religion in the Early United StatesĮuropean settlers brought the Christian religion with them to the New World in the 16th and 17th Centuries. This article will talk about the reason behind such a varied religious composition, why Protestant Christians hold the majority percentage, and why such a large percentage of the population identifies as unaffiliated. The other religions/beliefs that make up society within the US are as follows: Unaffiliated (22.8%), Catholic (20.8%), Jewish (1.9%), Other Non-Christian (1.8%), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1.6%), Jehovah’s Witness (.8%), Buddhist (.7%), Hindu (.7%), Eastern Orthodox Christian (.5%), and Other Christian (.4%). While the country has followers of every major religion, nearly half (46.5%) of the residents identify as Protestant Christians. In the US, the coming together of many different peoples of different origins has created a diverse religious environment. Religion plays a crucial role within countries and cultures all over the world.

Religion percentages