2009-04-26-皮尤-Faith_in_Flux_75页_1mb

Faith in Flux: Summary

• Report Overview: Produced by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life, this report examines changes in religious affiliation among Americans, based on a follow-up survey to the 2007 "U.S. Religious Landscape Survey." It highlights the fluidity of religious identity and reasons for change.

• Key Findings:

  • Approximately half of American adults have changed religious affiliation at least once in their lifetime.
  • Most changes occur before age 24, and many people switch faiths multiple times.
  • Catholicism has seen significant net losses due to religious change.
  • The unaffiliated population (those identifying with no religion) has grown rapidly, largely due to people leaving other faiths.
  • Reasons for leaving religion include loss of belief in teachings, dissatisfaction with religious institutions, and life changes.

• Major Trends:

  • Unaffiliated adults often cite disillusionment with religious hypocrisy, rules-focused practices, and the belief that no religion is entirely true.
  • In conversions, especially within Protestantism, life changes like marriage or relocation are key; beliefs play a lesser role.
  • Catholic departures are driven by issues like teachings on birth control, abortion, and homosexuality, with fewer attributing it to the clergy abuse scandal.

• Methodology: Based on recontact interviews with 2,867 adults from the original survey, weighted to reflect demographic parameters. Margin of error varies by subgroup.

• Conclusion: Religious change is widespread, with many Americans uncertain or drifting away from established traditions, contributing to a more diverse and dynamic religious landscape.