[STUDY] Asian American Christians Drastically Decreasing—From 42% Down to 34% This 2023

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A woman holds rosary beads while she prays and waits for smoke to emanate from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel which will indicate whether or not the College of Cardinals have elected a new Pope on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican.

A new study revealed that Asian American Christians have drastically decreased over the past 11 years. Meanwhile, the number of other religious Asian Americans who believe in Islam and Hinduism is increasing.

The Pew Research Center revealed these new details about religious people on Wednesday, Oct. 11. Here are other things the American think tank showed in its latest study.

[STUDY] Asian American Christians Drastically Decreasing

Pew's newest study revealed that Asian American groups who believe in Christianity dramatically declined from 42% in 2012 to 34% in 2023.

"Like the US public as a whole, a growing percentage of Asian Americans are not affiliated with any religion, and the share who identify as Christian has declined," said the US-based research firm via its official website.

Aside from Christians, Asian American Buddhists are also in a downward trend. The new study revealed that Buddhists are down by three percentage points (14% in 2012, now 11%).

While American Christians with Asian ancestry are declining, believers of other religions are increasing. Specifically, Pew researchers stated that Asian American Hindus increased from 10% in 2012 to 11% in 2023.

Other religious Asian Americans who didn't disclose the religions they believe in also increased in numbers, from 3% in 2012 to 4%, as reported by NBC News.

On the other hand, the US-based research firm claims that more Americans with Asian origins are becoming religiously unaffiliated (atheists).

Recently, The Guardian reported numerous reasons why many Christians are losing their faith in Christianity. One of these is the sexual abuse scandals linked to the Catholic churches.

Another reason is the COVID-19 pandemic since many Americans are already used to not attending churches. Meanwhile, other Christians just found new things to do.

Asian Americans Perspective on Religion's Importance

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Shontae Scott of Atlanta clutches her hands on her bible Tuesday while watching live coverage of the funeral of Coretta Scott King at the Samson's Health and Fitness Center next to the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church February 7, 2006 in Lithonia, Georgia.

The Pew Research Center also analyzed the numbers of Asian Americans who consider religion important and those who don't.

Its study showed that Filipino Americans have the highest number of people who value religion; 39% agree. This is because around three-quarters of them are Christian (mostly Catholic).

Filipino Americans are followed by Korean Americans (37%), Vietnamese Americans (37%), and Indian Americans (36%) when it comes to valuing their religions.

On the other hand, Japanese and Chinese Americans are least likely to consider religions critical for everyday life; only 20% of Americans with Japanese ancestry and 14% of Chinese Americans value religion.