Summary of "The Briefing with Albert Mohler" – Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Host: R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
Podcast Title: The Briefing with Albert Mohler
Episode Release Date: March 4, 2025
Description: Cultural Commentary from a Biblical Perspective

1. Introduction to the Pew Religious Landscape Study

In the opening segments, Albert Mohler delves into the recently released Pew Research Center’s Religious Landscape Study. Initiated in 2007 under the aegis of the Pew Charitable Trust, this comprehensive survey has meticulously tracked the evolution of religious affiliations in the United States over nearly two decades.

Albert Mohler [00:30]: “The Religious Landscape study, begun in 2007, really has shown a lot of change on the American religious landscape.”

2. Stabilization of Christian Identification

A significant finding highlighted is the stabilization of the Christian demographic in the U.S. While Christianity had been in decline since 2007—from 78% identifying as Christian in 2007 to 62% in 2024—the latest report suggests that this percentage has plateaued over the past five years.

Albert Mohler [05:15]: “After years of decline, share of Christians in US has stabilized.”

3. Rise of the Religiously Unaffiliated ("Nones")

Parallel to the stabilization of Christian numbers is the growth of the religiously unaffiliated, commonly referred to as the "nones." This group now constitutes approximately 29% of the American population, up from much smaller percentages in previous years.

Albert Mohler [10:45]: “The trend of unbelief has been going up rather remarkably.”

4. Generational Shifts and Secularization

Mohler emphasizes the critical role of generational change in shaping religious landscapes. Younger Americans (ages 18-35) are notably more secular compared to older cohorts, presenting challenges for generational replacement within the church.

Albert Mohler [20:30]: “There is a challenge of replacing every single generation.”

He also notes a particular resilience in conservative Protestant and evangelical groups, which maintain higher levels of youth involvement compared to their more liberal counterparts.

5. Political Alignments and Religious Affiliation

A pivotal revelation from the study is the strong correlation between religious identification and political alignment. Highly religious individuals tend to lean conservatively and align with the Republican Party, while the religiously unaffiliated are more liberal and inclined towards the Democratic Party.

Albert Mohler [35:50]: “The great divide in the United States between left and right is increasingly virtually the same as the divide between Christian and non-Christian.”

Notably, the report indicates a dramatic shift among liberals: only 37% identify as Christian, down from 62% in 2007, with a corresponding rise in secular identification among liberals.

Albert Mohler [40:20]: “There are now more religious nuns than Christians among liberals, a reversal since 2007.”

6. Growth of Non-Christian Religions

The study also sheds light on the incremental growth of non-Christian religions in the U.S.:

• Islam: Increased from 0.4% in 2007 to 1.2% in 2024.
• Hinduism: Rose from 0.4% to 0.9% in the same period.
• Judaism: Steady at approximately 1.7%, exerting significant cultural influence disproportionate to its size.

Albert Mohler [25:00]: “The population cohort identifying as Jewish is very small, the influence...is very, very large.”

7. Executive Order on English as the Official Language

Transitioning to current events, Mohler discusses President Donald Trump’s executive order designating English as the official language of the United States. This policy underscores the importance of a common language for national unity and effective participation in American society.

Albert Mohler [55:10]: “English was the language of the founders...an act of neighborliness to say that your citizenship...will be greatly assisted by your development of some facility and knowledge of the English language.”

He addresses criticisms labeling the order as discriminatory, countering that fostering English proficiency is essential for cohesive national identity and participation.

Albert Mohler [58:45]: “It is simply honest and, if understood, rightly helpful.”

8. Language as a Pillar of National Identity

Mohler draws parallels with historical and international contexts, such as Canada’s linguistic divisions, to illustrate the potential perils of linguistic fragmentation. He emphasizes that a unified language fosters communal bonds and mitigates divisiveness reminiscent of the biblical Tower of Babel.

Albert Mohler [1:05:30]: “Think of the Tower of Babel. That's not what we want for the United States of America.”

9. Conclusion: The Interplay of Language, Religion, and Culture

Concluding his analysis, Mohler reflects on the intrinsic link between language, culture, and religious identity. He underscores that while the executive order reaffirms English as a unifying factor, the ultimate fulfillment of a diverse yet unified nation awaits an eschatological future where all languages and tribes find redemption through Christ.

Albert Mohler [1:10:00]: “The words we use...becomes a part of the culture itself. It even comes down often to how a spoken language sounds in the ear.”

Closing Remarks

Albert Mohler wraps up by reiterating the significance of retaining and nurturing Christian involvement within families and churches to counteract secular trends and ensure generational continuity.

Albert Mohler [1:13:50]: “Young people who are highly involved in a church...are far more likely to stay involved than those who are not.”

He encourages listeners to engage with the church community actively to address the challenges highlighted by the current religious landscape.

Key Takeaways:

• Christian Stability and Secular Plateau: While Christian identification in the U.S. has stabilized recently, it remains significantly lower than in previous decades, with a concurrent rise in the religiously unaffiliated.

• Generational Challenges: Younger generations exhibit higher levels of secularization, posing challenges for church growth and generational replacement.

• Religion and Politics Intertwined: There is a clear correlation between religious identification and political leanings, with religious individuals leaning conservative and the unaffiliated leaning liberal.

• Language and National Unity: The designation of English as the official language underscores the role of a common language in fostering national unity and effective participation.

Albert Mohler’s comprehensive analysis provides a sobering yet insightful look into the evolving religious and cultural dynamics of the United States, urging Christians to recognize and respond to these trends proactively.