The Changing Religious Climate of Orange County Revisited (and some other stuff)

Jim Hinch (who covers religion for the Orange County Register) has an interesting piece in the American Scholar, entitled, "Where Are the People?" dealing with the rapid decline of evangelicalism in Orange County as typified by the change in ownership of the big glass church.  Where Are the People?

Dr. Brian Lee (pastor of the "other" Christ Reformed Church in DC) has an essay in the new on-line magazine (The Federalist) on "Lessons and Carols" as one way to keep "Christmas in Christianity" as he puts it.  Keeping Christmas in Christianity

We've all heard of "Fly-over Country" and the corresponding red-blue division of the United States (by political party).  Here's a similar map, only this time arranged by religious affiliation.  Roman Catholicism dominates where I live, and from the looks of it, only two small counties have a "Reformed" majority.  It will come as no surprise that these both are in Western Michigan.  Religious Makeup of America

Comments

[pb]

I think it's fascinating there are actually 26 counties where American Baptist churches predominate - and these in West By God Virginia if I'm seeing the colors correctly. How odd.

[Alberto]

No wonder America is going downhill; it's the Baptists, Roman Catholics, Mormons, and Lutherans! Not so much LCMS though. This is a sign of judgement. : )

I'd love to show those politically and theologically conservative Romanists this image. Even San Francisco and the city of fallen angels goes to Rome.

[Dan]

The light-green Michigan counties classified as "Other" appear to be Ottawa (West Michigan), Eaton, and further north, Missaukee. A pretty safe bet that Ottawa and Missaukee are led by Reformed, considering Ottawa is where the Dutch settled. Missaukee is a county I know of, as both my parents grew up there. There's a significant Dutch population in the small towns and villages and lots of CRC/RCA churches (but I believe wanting for URC!).

As for Eaton County (west of Lansing), I couldn't guess its leading religious background. I doubt it's Reformed.

[Robin]

Thank you for posting the wonderful explanation of "Lessons & Carols"!

Merry Christmas,

Robin