Protestant and Catholic Distinctions in Secularization

TLDR

Differences between Protestants and Catholics in religious beliefs and behavior are revisited in light of growing evidence for stages of secularization and a remaining religious core in Western societies. The study examines whether remaining Protestants are more religious than before and compared with remaining Catholics. The authors analyze repeated cross‑sectional survey data from 1985 to 2012 in the US, Canada, and Great Britain. Protestant affiliation declined more significantly than Catholic affiliation, yet Protestants show higher rates of regular service attendance, prayer, and Christian beliefs than Catholics, and have surpassed Catholic rates in the US and Canada and are projected to do so in Britain.

Abstract

Differences between Protestants and Catholics in religious beliefs and behavior are revisited in the light of growing theoretical and empirical evidence for stages of secularization and a remaining religious core in Western societies. To what extent are remaining Protestants more religious than before and compared with remaining Catholics? Analyzing repeated cross-sectional survey data from 1985 to 2012 in the US, Canada, and Great Britain, we find that, in most cases, Protestant affiliation has declined more significantly than Catholic affiliation. Yet, individuals who declare themselves as belonging to a Protestant denomination have higher rates of regular service attendance, prayer, and Christian beliefs than those previously. They have also surpassed these same rates among Catholics in both the US and Canada and are on track to do so in Britain in the coming years.