Influence of religion on American society is growing

A new poll found the number of Americans who believe religion is gaining influence in public life has risen since 2024.

According to Pew Research, 31 per cent of Americans said religion had gained influence in the public square in February this year. This was the highest figure to express this belief for 15 years reported the US-based think-tank. Only 18 per cent of Americans expressed this belief in February 2024.

Eighty-two per cent of American Catholics questioned last year believed the influence of religion was in decline, as opposed to 15 per cent who believed it was increasing.

But this February, 73 per cent of Catholics said that religious influence was waning and 27 per cent felt it was increasing. This trend was reflected among non-believers. Twenty per cent of atheists questioned in 2024 judged the influence of religion had increased, 38 per cent held the same view this February. Twenty-one per cent of Jewish believers thought religious influence was ascending in February 2024. By this February,  44 per cent held the same view.

Most Americans, nevertheless, believe the influence of religion in society is declining. This view is held by nearly seven out of every 10 Americans, regardless of their religious group, political adherence, or age group.

Yet the numbers who hold this opinion has fallen. Eighty per cent agreed with that view in 2024 compared to 68 per cent this year.

Overall, the number of Americans expressing positive views of religion in 2024 and 2025 has risen since 2019. This indicates “more positive views about religion’s role in American life over the past five years or so,” said the Pew report.

It also found that a growing number of Americans feel at odds with mainstream culture due to their religious beliefs. Fifty-eight per cent of those questioned identified either a “great deal” or “some” conflict between their religious beliefs and mainstream culture.

Furthermore, 26 per cent of Americans said only one religion was true, while 48 per cent agreed with the statement “many religions may be true.” Eighteen per cent said there was “little truth” in any religion while six per cent said there was “no truth” in any religion.

The US based think-tank based its findings on a survey of 9,544 adults who belong to the center’s American Trends Panel. They were questioned between 3 and 9 February 2025. This research is also based on a second, separate survey of 8,937 American adults conducted between 5 and 11 May this year.

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