The Decline of Religion: A Global Trend

The Rise and Fall of Religion: A Global Trend

In the early years of the twenty-first century, religion seemed to be on the rise. The collapse of communism and the Soviet Union left an ideological vacuum that was being filled by Orthodox Christianity in Russia and other post-Soviet states. The election of President George W. Bush in the United States, an evangelical Christian, suggested that evangelical Christianity was becoming a political force. The 9/11 attacks highlighted the power of political Islam in the Muslim world.

A study conducted by Pippa Norris and a colleague analyzed data on religious trends in 49 countries from 1981 to 2007. They found that while most high-income countries became less religious, 33 out of 49 countries became more religious during those years. However, since 2007, there has been a surprising shift. The majority of countries studied, 43 out of 49, have become less religious.

The decline in belief is not limited to high-income countries and is seen across the world. Factors driving this trend include the waning importance of traditional beliefs linked to maintaining high birthrates. As societies develop and become more secure, people are less reliant on religion for support and meaning in their lives.

The United States, once considered a highly religious country, has also seen a significant move away from religion since 2007. This shift is attributed to changing political dynamics and a generational change in attitudes towards religion.

The decline in religion is also influenced by changing norms around human fertility. As societies achieve higher levels of economic and physical security, traditional pro-fertility norms instilled by religions are no longer necessary. This shift is evident in data from the World Values Survey, which shows a rapid acceleration of secularization in many countries.

Despite fears that the decline of religion will lead to social disarray, evidence suggests otherwise. Highly secular countries tend to have lower levels of corruption and crime compared to religious countries. As societies develop and become more secure, new moral norms centered around human rights, tolerance, and equality are emerging.

While the future is uncertain, the trend towards secularization is likely to continue as societies become more prosperous and tolerant. Traditional religious authorities are losing influence over public morality, paving the way for a culture of growing tolerance and acceptance.