Growing Share of Americans Say Religion Is Gaining Influence, Pew Study Finds

The survey of 9,544 adults also suggests an overall shift toward optimism about religion’s place in public life.

Churchgoers hold hands as they sing during a morning service at St. Pius X Catholic Church in El Paso, Texas, on Aug. 4, 2019. Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News via AP

More Americans now say religion is gaining influence in national life than at any point in the past 15 years, the Pew Research Center said on Oct. 20.

The share of U.S. adults who said religion is gaining influence jumped from 18 percent to 31 percent between February 2024 and February 2025.