Survey Indicates Growing Role of Religion in American Society
In recent years, the landscape of religious influence in the United States has experienced a notable transformation. A study by the Pew Research Center highlights this shift, showing an increasing recognition of religion’s growing presence in public life.
The study, which surveyed nearly 18,500 U.S. adults in early and mid-2025, sheds light on this evolving dynamic. As of February 2025, about 31% of American adults perceive religion as resurging in national prominence, a significant increase from the previous year’s 18% — a year that marked a 20-year low.
This upsurge represents the most substantial level of perceived religious influence in the last 15 years.
Despite the majority of Americans (68%) still considering religion’s impact on national life as diminishing, this figure has decreased from 80% in 2024, indicating a growing positive sentiment towards faith in public discourse.
The study reveals a shift in attitudes regarding religion’s societal role. From 2019 to 2025, there has been a consistent rise in favorable opinions about religion. Currently, approximately 59% of Americans view religion’s influence on national life as beneficial, irrespective of whether they see it as increasing or waning.
Conversely, 20% of adults maintain a pessimistic view of religion’s impact, while 21% remain neutral or uncertain.
Perceptions of religion’s societal role differ significantly among demographic groups.
Among Christians, white evangelical Protestants stand out, with 92% holding positive views about religion’s societal role — the highest among surveyed groups.
Similarly, large majorities of Black Protestants (75%), Catholics (71%), and white non-evangelical Protestants (67%) express favorable opinions.
However, positivity sharply declines among the religiously unaffiliated. Only 11% of agnostics and 6% of atheists hold favorable views of religion’s influence. Jewish Americans and those identifying as “nothing in particular” are more divided, with many expressing neutral or mixed sentiments.
Political affiliation significantly influences these attitudes. Approximately 78% of Republicans and those leaning Republican view religion’s public role positively, compared to 40% of Democrats and Democratic leaners.
Age also plays a crucial role: older Americans are generally more supportive of religion’s influence. About 71% of those aged 65 and older view it favorably, in contrast to 46% of younger adults aged 18 to 29.
Meanwhile, a growing number of Americans perceive a conflict between their religious beliefs and mainstream cultural values. In 2025, 58% reported feeling at least “some conflict” between their faith and contemporary cultural norms, a ten-point increase from 2024.
Among Christian groups, white evangelical Protestants (80%) are most likely to report cultural clashes. Nonetheless, the perceived rise in religious influence suggests many Americans still view religion as a fundamental component of national life, even amid increasing secularization.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
