"Christian" in the United States and Canada

Anderson Cooper has reported that in the United States, "more than 85 percent is Christian and two-thirds of [Americans], a number that's climbing, consider America a Christian nation. But from there, the lines start to blur." Two recent empirical studies reveal differences in beliefs and religious practices among Christians in the U.S.

Baylor University study

The Baylor University Institute for Studies of Religion conducted a survey covering various aspects of American religious life. Analysis of the data is ongoing, but some preliminary results show that Americans may be expressing their faith somewhat differently according to their particular beliefs.

• A third of Americans (33.6 percent), roughly 100 million people, are Evangelical Protestants by affiliation.
• The majority (62.9 percent) of Americans not affiliated with a religious tradition believe in God or some higher power.

Baylor researchers found that the type of god people believe in can predict their political and moral attitudes more so than just looking at their religious tradition. They identified four major concepts of God among Christians, though none of the four dominated belief:

• 31 percent believe in an Authoritarian God who is very judgmental and engaged.
• 25 percent believe in a Benevolent God who is not judgmental but is engaged.
• 23 percent believe in a Distant God who is completely removed.
• 16 percent believe in a Critical God who is judgmental but not engaged.

Christianity Today study

Another study, conducted by Christianity Today with Leadership magazine, attempted to understand the range and differences among American Christians. A national attitudinal and behavioral survey found that their beliefs and practices clustered into five distinct segments. Spiritual growth for two large segments of Christians may be occurring in non-traditional ways. Instead of attending church on Sunday mornings, many opt for personal, individual ways to stretch themselves spiritual.

• 19 percent of American Christians are described by the researchers as Active Christians. They believe salvation comes through Jesus Christ, attend church regularly, are Bible readers, invest in personal faith development through their church, believe they are obligated to share their faith with others, and accept leadership positions in their church.
• 20 percent are referred to as Professing Christians. They also are committed to "accepting Christ as Savior and Lord" as the key to being a Christian, but focus more on personal relationships with God and Jesus than on church, Bible reading or evangelizing.
• 16 percent fall into a category named Liturgical Christians. They are predominantly Lutheran or Catholic. They are regular church goers, have a high level of spiritual activity and recognize the authority of the church.
• 24 percent are considered Private Christians. They own a Bible but don't tend to read it. Only about one-third attend church at all. They believe in God and in doing good things, but not necessarily within a church context. This was the largest and youngest segment. Almost none are church leaders.
• 21 percent in the research are called Cultural Christians. These do not view Jesus as essential to salvation. They exhibit little outward religious behavior or attitudes. They favor a universality theology that sees many ways to God. Yet, they clearly consider themselves to be Christians.

The researchers say that Christians in other countries may not show the same variety, particularly where there is active persecution of Christians.