Significant drop in number of Christian registered voters in the US

 (Photo: Unsplash/Phillip Goldsberry)

The number of Christian registered voters in the US has fallen sharply since 2008. 

Latest figures from the Pew Research Center show a 15% drop in the last 12 years. 

In 2019, nearly two thirds of registered voters (64%) identified as Christian, well below the 79% who said the same in 2008.

The biggest drop can be seen in the Democrats, with Christian voters falling dramatically from 73% in 2008 to only 52% last year. 

In the same time period, the share of religiously unaffiliated voters rose sharply from 15% to 28%. 

The proportion of religiously unaffiliated Republicans rose from 9% to 15% but Democrats saw an even bigger increase, with support among the 'nones' increasing from 18% to 38%. 

Christian support has been important to Donald Trump over the last four years of his presidency.  He wooed them in 2016 and countinued to court their favor during his time in the White House. 

Exit polls for Tuesday's presidential election showed strong support for Trump among white evangelicals, with 76% giving him their vote compared to just 23% who chose Democratic rival Joe Biden. 

Votes are still being counted but the evangelical support may not have been enough to secure a second term for Trump. 

News
NHS Trust settles with Christian nurse suspended in trans row
NHS Trust settles with Christian nurse suspended in trans row

A Christian nurse who was suspended for 10 months after allegedly misgendering a transgender patient has received a settlement from the NHS. 

Fulani terrorists kill 20 Christians in Nigeria's Plateau State
Fulani terrorists kill 20 Christians in Nigeria's Plateau State

Gunmen described as “Fulani terrorists” raided a village in central Nigeria on Thursday night and killed at least 20 Christians, area residents said.

New ‘Tyndale Trail’ launched to mark 500 years of English New Testament
New ‘Tyndale Trail’ launched to mark 500 years of English New Testament

A new long-distance walking trail tracing the life of Bible translator William Tyndale has been launched in south-west England, as part of commemorations marking 500 years since his groundbreaking English New Testament.

Russia and Ukraine agree to temporary Orthodox Easter truce
Russia and Ukraine agree to temporary Orthodox Easter truce

In the Orthodox calendar, Easter falls one week after the date celebrated in western Europe.