2013-03-12-皮尤-_Strong_Catholic_Identity_at_a_Four-Decade_Low_in_U.S._8页_271kb

Strength of Catholic Identity at a Four-Decade Low in the U.S.

• Overview: In 2012, the percentage of U.S. Catholics identifying as "strong" Catholics reached a 38-year low, at 27%, down over 15 points since the mid-1980s. This decline contrasts sharply with Protestants, where 54% reported strong religious identity, the highest level since the survey began.

• Comparison: U.S. Protestants consistently exhibit higher levels of religious strength, with the gap widening since the 1990s. Among all Protestants, non-Hispanic Black and evangelical traditions show strong identification, while mainline Protestants and Catholics lag behind.

• Trends: Church attendance has decreased across all groups, but "strong" Catholics saw a steeper decline (from 85% in 1974 to 53% in 2012) compared to their attendance nationally. Historically, Catholics were more frequent attendees in the 1970s, but by 2012, Protestants overtook them.

• Population Share: "Strong" Catholics now make up 7% of the U.S. population, down from 12% in 1974. Meanwhile, those identifying only as Catholic but not "strong" rose slightly.

• Methodology: Data from the General Social Survey (GSS), analyzed by Pew Research Center and NORC, uses a representative sample and adjustments for demographic factors. Respondents who did not answer the strength question are excluded.