Republicans can now take solace in the fact that
they're not the only group declining as a percentage of the population—Christians are on their way out too, and in even greater numbers, according to
a new survey of more than 35,000 Americans released Tuesday by Pew Research Center.
The percentage of adults (ages 18 and older) who describe themselves as Christians has dropped by nearly eight percentage points in just seven years, from 78.4% in an equally massive Pew Research survey in 2007 to 70.6% in 2014. Over the same period, the percentage of Americans who are religiously unaffiliated – describing themselves as atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular” – has jumped more than six points, from 16.1% to 22.8%.
Wow. Talk about major political implications. Every national election cycle the GOP resurrects their tired old get-out-the-vote campaign to inspire Christians to the polls. The latest effort is
being spearheaded by David Lane and, as
Ted Cruz announced his 2016 candidacy, he gazed into the heavens and fantasized about the prospects of a successful effort.
"Imagine... millions of people of faith all across America coming out to the polls and voting our values."
What this new survey reveals is that even if Republicans succeed in turning out a slightly higher percentage of the overall Christian vote, it still may amount to less people since their total percentage of the population is dwindling. So not only are Republicans grasping at straws, they're grasping at less of them.
Head below the fold for more on this story.
Evangelicals actually made up a healthy 26 percent of the 2012 electorate—up three points from their turn out in 2004 when they helped save George W. Bush from defeat. Yet it still wasn't enough to elect Romney and it's apparently becoming a less viable strategy by the day.
Just after the 2012 election, Ralph Reed, who helped fuel that Christian turnout, lamented to the New York Times:
“You can’t just overperform among voters of faith ... There’s got to be a strategy for younger voters, unmarried voters, women voters — especially single women — and minorities.”
Well, Mr. Reed, sorry, but those voters are exactly the ones who are also abandoning the Christian faith in droves—especially younger voters of all kinds. Here's Pew:
One of the most important factors in the declining share of Christians and the growth of the “nones” is generational replacement. As the Millennial generation enters adulthood, its members display much lower levels of religious affiliation, including less connection with Christian churches, than older generations.
You know, at some point, you've just got to stop and take a look in the mirror. Or not—which is fine by us.