Pew Research Center recently published the results of their 2023-2024 Religious Landscape Study. Now in its third iteration, the survey aims to provide a close examination of the religious beliefs among U.S. residents, including detailed information regarding Black Americans‘ religious affiliations and practices.
Currently, 73 percent of Black adults in the United States are Christian, with 65 percent identifying as Protestant, 4 percent identifying as Catholic, and 4 percent who are affiliated with other Christian groups. In 2007, 85 percent of Black Americans said they were Christians. Today, only 4 percent of Black adults identify with non-Christian groups, up slightly from 2 percent in 2007. Among Black adults who do attend religious services during the year, 61 percent attend a majority Black congregation.
Some 22 percent of Black adults say they are not affiliated with a religion, including 3 percent who are atheist or agnostic and 19 percent who say their religion is “nothing in particular.” In contrast to Christian affiliation, the share of Black adults who are not religiously affiliated has increased, rising 10 percentage points from 12 percent in 2007.
Compared with White, Hispanic, and Asian adults, Black Americans are significantly more likely to believe in God or a universal spirit (95 percent). Notably, nearly three-quarters of Black adults say they are absolutely certain there is a God or universal spirit, compared to 52 percent of White adults, 56 percent of Hispanic adults, and 37 percent of Asian adults. Even among religiously unaffiliated Americans, the vast majority (83 percent) of Black adults believe in God, compared to 69 percent of Hispanic Americans, 46 percent of White Americans, and 42 percent of Asian Americans. Black Americans are also more likely than Americans from other racial groups to say religion is very important in their lives, pray daily, and participate in monthly religious services.
According to the survey, there are notable gender differences in religiousness among Black Americans. While both Black men and women are about as likely to say they were raised as Christians, Black women are significantly more likely than Black men to identify as Christian in adulthood (78 percent versus 67 percent). Conversely, Black men are more likely than Black women to be religiously unaffiliated (27 percent versus 18 percent).
Additionally, older Black adults are more likely than younger Black adults to describe themselves as very religious (39 percent versus 21 percent). Nevertheless, Black adults of any age are more likely than adults in other racial groups to say they are very religious.
