Most Have Little/No Confidence In Organized Religion

I have posted in the past about how organized religion is becoming less popular in this country. Currently about 22% of the population (more than one out of five people) say they have no affiliation with any religion -- and among the Millennials (the youngest adults) that rises to about one out of every three. That should worry christians in the U.S.

And the chart above should worry them even more. Back in the 1970's, about 68% of the population said they had a "great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in organized religion (churches). That has now dropped to a record low of 42%. And while organized religion used to be the institution Americans had the most confidence in, it has now dropped to fourth place (behind the military, small business, and the police).

Also worrying for christians are the numbers just among the religious. About 51% of both protestants and catholics say they have a lot of confidence in organized religion. That means about half of those who claim to be religious have little or no confidence in organized religion.

This most recent Gallup Poll was done between June 2nd and 7th of a random national sample of 1,527 adults, and has a margin of error of 3 points.