Survey: Proportion of Christians in the U.S. has stopped shrinking

A new survey on American religion finds that the percentage of Christians has stabilized, after falling for two decades.

The survey, called the 2020 Census of American Religion, finds that 7 in 10 Americans (70%) identify as Christian, including more than 4 in 10 who identify as white Christian and more than one-quarter who identify as Christians of color.

This Week in Washington, D.C.

From The Public Square

Why American Courts Care about Church Membership—And Why You Should, Too
9Marks

Pastors and church members should also know that American law provides reasons for churches to give careful attention to both their membership policies and the theological basis for those policies. Doing so respects the individuals who come to the church, and it can also protect the church from legal liability.

‘Wasting my breath’: Southern faith leaders wary of promoting vaccines
Politico

Exhausted by backlash over pandemic restrictions, some faith leaders see little upside in urging skeptical congregants to get vaccinated.

Gay couple wins case against florist after Supreme Court rejects appeal
ABC News

Over the objections of three conservative justices, the US Supreme Court has turned away an appeal from a Washington State flower shop that violated state anti-discrimination law by refusing to serve a same-sex couple on religious grounds.

Polish church report lists sex abuse of over 300 children
Associated Press

In its latest report on the sexual abuse of minors, Poland's Catholic Church lists 292 clergymen who allegedly abused over 300 boys and girls from 1958 though 2020.

What You Need to Read

Candice Watters with Do you need a digital reset? A better approach to screen time after the pandemic

As things start moving back to a post-pandemic “normal,” many parents are looking forward to their children returning to in-person learning. In addition to improving their concentration, reconnecting with in-person friends, and reestablishing rigorous standards, one of the key benefits will be less time on screens. None of this will be without effort and intentionality, but what may prove most difficult is dialing back kids’ dependence on screens.

Daniel Patterson with Why and how reading shapes your soul

Not all stories are nourishing; not all food is healthy. And reading, in and of itself, makes not a more virtuous person. But make no mistake: stories are powerful. As we identify with what we take in, we feed our ethical imaginations and broaden our moral vocabulary — creating categories, carving pathways, and cultivating instincts that show up in hundreds of ways every single day.

Hannah Anderson with At what age should we baptize our children? A case for baptizing those who make a credible profession of faith

The reality is that children face hurdles to baptism that have nothing to do with the validity of their faith or their desire to obey Jesus. But just as we’d never ask a child to sign themselves up for school when they are ready to learn, parents should feel the freedom to direct children to baptismal waters when they see signs of faith and repentance.

This Week at the ERLC