Coming Soon? A More Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu and Less Christian America

By Julio Severo

There’s no doubt that the United States had a Christian beginning, first with the Pilgrim Fathers. Later, from the independence and on, America was a Protestant nation with Catholic and Jewish minorities. She was able consistently to keep this religious profile until the mid-20 century.

America was seen as the most Protestant nation in the world, and U.S. missionaries often taught about the divine blessings on a predominantly Protestant nation. America was cherished by us, by the example and sermons of missionaries, as a nation that had become strong because it embraced the Gospel.

I speak as a Brazilian greatly benefited by the wonderful U.S. missionary work.

But what is the religious profile of America today? America is still the most Protestant nation in the world, but her position will be surpassed by China in 10 years. The United States had 159 millions of Protestants in 2010 and China is expected to have 160 millions of Protestants in 2025. Yet, while Protestant Christians are increasing in China, their numbers are declining in the U.S.

The Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies, a group which assists in the U.S. Census, recently released an interesting map showing which religions rank No. 2 throughout the U.S. In some point in the next future, these religions may surpass Christian majorities, whether Protestant or Catholic, leaving America with a religious profile vastly different from her beginning.

Islam ranks as the second most prevalent religion in 20 states, many of which in the Bible belt, which has been a region where conservative Protestants have traditionally a massive control. The Islamic growth is certain to challenge this control. Judaism is the second most common faith in most of the Northeast, while towards the West, Buddhism is the second most common faith in 13 states. Hinduism is only the No. 2 religion in two states, Arizona and Delaware.

Notably, the survey considers Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses and other heretical sects as a part of Christianity.

Of course, Christian majorities in the U.S. are dominated by nominal Christians, not to mention liberal Christians, and the effects have been felt in the missionary field. In Brazil, Brian McLaren and other liberal American Protestant leaders, known for their sympathies for main points of the gay agenda, have best-selling books in the Brazilian Church.

As America heads to be surpassed by China as the most Protestant nation in the world, does her internal and often nominal Christianity head to be surpassed by Islam, Buddhism and other religions? The time will tell.

Is the time coming for the International Church to send missionaries to the U.S.?

With information of Charisma magazine.

Portuguese version of this article: Em futuro próximo? Uma América mais islâmica, budista, hindu e menos cristã

Source: www.lastdayswatchman.blogspot.com

Recommended Reading:

After 9/11, Mosques Popping Up Across America

America, Conservative Christians and Third World Expectations

Changing demography and waning Christian influence in politics: the future of America