Religion and Fremont

Religion is an organized collection of beliefs, cultural systems, and world views that relate to humanity to the supernatural and spirituality. According to PewResearch reports, 44 percent of adults in the U.S. have either switched religious affiliation, moved from being unaffiliated with any religion to being affiliated with a particular faith, or dropped any connection to a specific religious tradition altogether.

            The Alameda County is composed of many bay area cities and has a population of over 1 million people. 35 percent of the population has a religious affiliation. The Center for Religion & Civic Culture highlights the three largest religious groups in Alameda County. Roman Catholicism tops the list with 21.2 percent of the county’s population. In second is the Jewish religion with 2.3 percent and Muslims with 1.6 percent. The Association of Religion Data Archives discusses how the total population was up 4.6 percent in 2010 and the adherent total of religious groups in Alameda County was 33.7 percent of that population. Fremont has over 216,000 residents and is the fourth most populous city in the bay area and is California’s 15th largest city. 34 percent of the people in Fremont are religious. Catholicism has 16 percent, Christians take up 5 percent, and the Islamic religion has a population of 2 percent. There are many churches, synagogues, and temples in the city for the community’s spiritual needs.

            Where I’m from, Los Angeles, religion is a big part of people’s lives. My interest in religion derives from growing up in a heavily religious family. Spirituality means so much to me because I have witnessed how it can transform the lives of all kinds of people. I plan on learning as much as possible about religion in Fremont and how it affects the city and the rest of the Alameda County.