Demographers predict evangelicals, who helped elect Donald Trump, will likely cease being a major political force in presidential elections by 2024, Newsweek is reporting.
The magazine noted that since the 1970s, white evangelicals have helped formed the backbone of the Republican base. But now many young members are leaving the church – or have different views on social issues than their parents -- and the base is shrinking.
Newsweek reported:
- Only 10 percent of Americans under 30 now identify as white evangelicals
- Just 46 percent of white evangelical Protestants were older than 50 in 1998. Today 62 percent are above 50.
- The median age of white evangelicals is now 55
Evangelicals were less likely to back House Republicans in 2018 than they were to support Trump in 2016, according to Newsweek. And many of the younger evangelicals are pushing for social justice for migrants and LGBTQ people – positions more in line with the Democratic Party.
And The Wall Street Journal reported in June that younger evangelicals are now more likely to back issues like same-sex marriage and stricter environmental laws.
Meanwhile, Newsweek said the changes result in a shrinking conservative bloc.
But many evangelical leaders reject that notion.
Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, did not vote for Trump in 2016. He claims to be a believer in the future of evangelical youth.
Moore maintained he sees “really vibrant churches filled with young people exploding all over the country.”
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.