For the past two years, 63% of Mississippians have stated that they go to church weekly or almost weekly, that's more than any other state. Alabama wasn't far behind, sending a little more than half of their residents to church weekly. As a matter of fact, nine of the top 10 church-going states are in the South, Utah is the only exception.
Vermonters go to church the least (23% of the population attend weekly), but it's keeping in trend with its location. Of the bottom 10 church-going states, six are in New England and the rest are on the West Coast. Nationally, about 40% of Americans attend church regularly.
The wide disparity among states shows that although exposure of mass media has skyrocketed in the past few years, religious behavior continues to be broken down by region. More than half of Southern residents attend church and ethnic and racial differences may be responsible. For example, blacks have the highest church-attendance averages in the country, and Southern states have high black populations.
Mormons have the highest church-attendance level of any religious group and they make up a large percentage of churchgoers in Utah. They're also the most conservative of any of the major religious groups. Non-Catholic Christians are the largest group in America today and are heavily populated in the South. Catholics, Jews, and the Mormons all follow in that order. Most states have a religious identity dominated by one of these groups. You can find a breakdown of states' religious identity here.
America is anything but a religious melting pot. Members of the same group tend to congregate in the same areas of the country. The next time you're looking for a change of location, keep in mind the religious behavior of the area. The differences are highly significant and can make all the difference in your neighbors, surroundings, education, employment, and over-all well being.
Comments
Here's to those of us on the west coast! Independent thinkers.
As I come from Alabama originally (minus the banjo), I consider my move west to be one of the best decisions I ever made for my spiritual health.
Guess that makes me a wise man from the east, eh?
x
The main problem here in the South are with the Assembly of God/Pentecostal types that probably have more in common with the Taliban than other Churches.
Funny how white trash redneck states are full of bible thumpers.
Funny how culturally and religiously diverse states who have the lowest gun sales (New York is the #1 lowest) and the lowest church attendance have the highest degrees of corruption and violence. I'll take the crackers any day (I live in the NE)
Can't believe how racist these comments are about the Southern Blacks. Especially coming from west coast progressives.
Just because you live on the west coast doesn't not make you an "independent thinker". It makes you a stuck up dickweed.
Josh you are an idiot. Why would you think that? As far as the Pentecostal Types, they well follow exactly what the bible says. Its all biblical. Any Christan denomination knows that. Its just another way to worship. Look up the day of Pentecost in the bible. By the way they have nothing to do with the Taliban. How many Pentecostals have blown up buildings and killed thousands of people.
People learn how to read the comments he said that they have more in common with the Taliban than with with other Christians. Not that they have any affiliation. Read First Comment Second Please Brad.
And for those of you that hate the south, just keep in mind that the south has had the biggest influence to the rest of the states in the US than any other region. That goes for food, culture, and music. Blues, Bluegrass, Gospel, Country, Rock, and Jazz came from the south. BBQ, Coca-Cola, Apple pie, SWEET TEA, Fried Chicken, Potato Chips, most types of ham/pork, and many cuts of steak originated in the south. Look at how you live and research where it all came from. You will be thankful for the south.
But nothing is in common with them other than both religions originated from the same place. I never said they have ties with the taliban. Now read my comment before posting.
It's obvious to anyone who cares to look that USA still is a third world country socially and on a path toward becoming a third world country economically. Every southern religious right wing state is already a full fledged third world country and if they were sovereign countries, would fall behind several African and Asian countries.
USA is truly the Land of the Fat and the Stupid!
HAHAHA
you are all so foolish
there is no god, not in america nor here in south africa
WAKE UP!!!
I live in Salt Lake City, and I can attest that I've experienced religious descrimination from neighbors, employers and coworkers because I'm not of the predominant faith. I seriously want to move to a state with fewer religious people.
Reading this brought to mind another study that correlates religious population with education. It found that the higher an area of education the less religion. Reading the comments posted here makes me wish I had your demographics to bear out my suspicions of your location.
thank you Kim
religion equals stupidity
Isn't it stupid to generalize an entire group of people across multiple faiths, races, and cultures? Saying religion is stupid and people involved with religion are stupid really just shows how stupid you all are.
Adults with imaginary friends are stupid
Too stupid for science? Try religion!
OK this makes a LOT of sense dude. Seriously. Wow.
Lou
www.privacy.shop.tc
You wouldn't think six states could actually fit inside New England!
(pick nose here)
living in canada, there is much religion and diversity.
christians, jews and muslims...and atheists...
most of my friends love the usa and that includes the south...
whats wrong with god?
what happened to god bless america?
are you folks no longer god fearing?
pffft
godfearing, what a joke
Excuse me, but - church attendance has nothing to do with being religious.
Religion does several things. Heaven/deferred gratification. Hell/fear of doing anything. Education/just read the bible and you don't need it,everything no matter how absurd can be explained by a god. Prejudices/all excused, racism,sexism,homophobia,rape,war,xenophobia,stoning. All of these things are part of every religion, bar none. And religious books are filled with such fear mongering violence. Find a war and you will find a religion at the root of it.
Who needs it?
Religion is just an ancient way for powerful men to control and extort the masses
As time goes by and we get cleverer and cleverer we become less and less religious
the "non-religious" are the most religious. keep to yourselves hypocrites.
So where is the list?
Oh you mean American states!? LOL
Priests are a tool used by kings to keep men in chains.
You mean all of the things that make you fat, lazy, stoned, and drunk came from the south. Along with slavery that should make them very proud!
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