How is religious affiliation changing?

Religious affiliation is undergoing significant changes, particularly in the United States, where there has been a notable decline in religious belief and church attendance over recent years. According to a Gallup survey, belief in God dropped to an all-time low of 81% in 2022, continuing a downward trend from over 90% in 2011. This decline is particularly pronounced among younger generations and political liberals. For instance, only 34% of Generation Z and 35% of liberals report being affiliated with a religious group, compared to higher percentages in older generations and among political conservatives. The decrease in religious adherence is linked to broader cultural and social shifts 1.

Additionally, factors like parasite stress have been studied in relation to religiosity, showing that higher levels of parasite stress tend to correlate with increased religiosity, conservatism, and church attendance across different states and countries. This suggests that environmental and health factors can also influence religious beliefs and practices 2.