The Latest Research From The George Barna Group At The Cultural Research Center: American Worldview Inventory 2021
June 08, 2021
Dear ________________,
As a long-time researcher of worldview and religious trends, I’m often asked about the changes I’ve seen over my 40-year career.
Frankly, nothing has been more striking than what we are witnessing today in the American cultural landscape. Seismic shifts in worldview are ushering in some of the most radical cultural upheavals our nation has ever experienced. I’ve shared startling evidence of this in my previous releases from the American Worldview Inventory 2021.
Today’s report (linked below) shows how these latest worldview and culture trends are causing monumental changes within our nation’s historically stable religious alignments, including:
- Dramatic changes in the faith of American Hispanics, with a decrease in the number of Hispanic Catholics, accompanied by a sharp increase in Hispanic “Don’ts”—those who don’t believe, don’t know, or don’t care if God exists;
- Rapid growth in Islamic, as well as Eastern and New Age religions;
- A consistent 30-year decline in both Christianity and confidence in religion;
- A breathtaking drop in four critical spiritual indicators: belief in God, belief in the Bible, recognition of salvation through Jesus Christ, and possession of a biblical worldview;
- A surprising increase in belief in reincarnation, even among Christians.
As I look at this national faith profile, what emerges is radically different—demographically, politically, relationally, and spiritually—than anything I’ve seen up to this point in my research career.
In its first 200 years, America could count on the consistency of its people’s faith commitments, and with that, common views about morality, purpose, family, lifestyle, citizenship, and values.
But as my recent worldview research clearly shows, the United States has become one of the largest and most important mission fields in the world.
As I see it, Christian ministry as practiced here for the last five decades will be ineffective in meeting these new challenges. Like never before, I believe we will need to reimagine and increase our efforts to strategically transform this new cultural landscape with biblical truth.
That’s why I’m so excited to be part of Arizona Christian University and the Cultural Research Center. We are committed to reaching all generations with the truth presented in Scripture—through how we train our students in the biblical worldview, and through research and resources for cultural transformation.
I pray you will join our efforts, as we work to restore the biblical worldview in communities and in our nation.
Blessings,
George Barna
Director of Research
Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University
The latest American Worldview Inventory 2021 Release #4: “The National Religious Realignment: Identifying Dramatic Changes in Long-Term Faith Commitments” is available here.
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