Christianity is shrinking in the U.S.

(KETK) - Tyler Tx — Christianity is the number one religion people practice across the world.

Second is Islam.

We're told Christianity is shrinking in America because the younger generation is choosing to have no religious affiliation.

"This is a problem in the United States that is not being addressed in most of our churches and what to do about it is still much in debate," said Senior Minister at University Christian Church Rev. Ron Byrd.

The fastest growing segment of American culture and society is people who are not religious.

30 to 40% of people in America follow a religion and 60% choose not too.

Rev. Ron Byrd has been a minister for more than 35 years.

He says he sees more of the older population attending church.

But, those between the ages of 20 and 30 are the least likely to be connected religiously or be committed to a particular group.

"This generation of people who are in their 50s and older when they die out, there is going to be fewer and fewer mainline Protestant churches around and religion in America will show vast changes," said Rev. Byrd.  

Byrd says there is an enormous growth of Christianity in third world countries because people are looking for hope during times of oppression.

Now, there is some consideration sending the third world missionaries back to the West.

Rev. Byrd also believes taking God out of the public schools makes a huge impact.

People agree that taking God out of a child's life has a huge impact on what they believe in when they get older.

"The church is growing older and they have to do things to keep up with young people and keep them interested," said Kristi Wiggins, who attends the Church of Christ.