Majority of Americans now view religion as having a favorable impact on society
An increasing number of Americans now say religion has a positive impact on society, a new poll form the Pew Research Center found. Nearly six in 10 U.S. adults have a positive view of religion’s influence on American life, which is as two-point rise from 2024 and a 10-point increase from 2022.
The percentage of Americans who say religion is gaining influence also rose from 18 percent in 2024 to 31 percent this year, which is the highest level recorded by Pew in 15 years. Fifty-eight percent of respondents now say they sense a conflict between their religious beliefs and mainstream culture, the first time that question has found more than half of respondents expressing such a view.
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“These evolving attitudes on religion in public life appear to be shared widely rather than confined to specific groups,” the research report said. “In recent years, Americans across a variety of religious groups, in both political parties and in all age groups, have become more likely to say religion is gaining influence, to express positive views about religion and to feel that their religious beliefs are at least somewhat in conflict with the mainstream.”
In addition, U.S. Bible sales increased 36 percent in September compared to the same month last year, according to Circana BookScan data. The increase was attributed to a string of violent events such as the assassination of Charlie Kirk that left Americans searching for answers and purpose. Circana BookScan data in the fall of 2024 showed Bible sales had increased 22 percent compared to the same period a year earlier.
Finally, an April Barna survey found that two-thirds of U.S. adults say they had made a personal commitment to Jesus that remains important in their life today, a 12-point increase since 2022 and the highest level recorded since 2012.
–Lee Hartman | Metro Voice
