Overview of Religions

While Christianity is the overwhelming majority religion practiced in the U.S., other religions are actively growing. According to United States Census statistics,

• 76% of Americans identified as Christians in 2008 compared to 86.2% in 1990

• 1.17% of individuals identified as Jewish in 2008 compared to 1.79% in 1990

• 0.59% of individuals identified as Muslim in 2008 compared to 0.30% in 1990

• 0.52% of individuals identified as Buddhist in 2008 compared to 0.23% in 1990

• 0.26% of individuals identified as Hindu in 2008 compared to 0.13% in 1990

• 0.32% of individuals identified as a Spiritualist in 2008 compared to 0.19% in 2001 (no data was provided for 1990).

For current demographics on religions practiced in the US, and other topics around religion and spirituality, see this Pew Forum website: https://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/. The predicted increase in population diversity in the country in the next fifty years will also increase the religious and spiritual diversity among U.S. residents. To best serve our clients, we can learn the basics of various religions and become comfortable using various tools for religious and spiritual assessment. The genetic counselor personalizes all interactions and adapts tools to match the needs of each client. Religion and spirituality mean different things to each person. These concepts may play a profound role in directing an individual’s complete belief and value system and many everyday behaviors and activities, or they may play virtually no role.

Exercise

What do you know about reincarnation? Use the manual “Religious Traditions and Prenatal Genetic Counseling” by Rebecca Rae Anderson (2002) and/or internet resources to identify 5 distinct religions that incorporate reincarnation as a core belief. Have you ever counseled a client who practices one of these religions?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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