Parshall Partners

The Influence of Religion

         Ever since the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the topic of religion, specifically Christianity, has been amplified in the marketplace of ideas.  How do Americans view religion today – with distain or respect?

         The Pew Research Center has released information that shows, since 2019, Americans have grown more positive about religion’s role in American life. According to Pew, “In a February 2024 Pew Research Center poll, 18% of U.S. adults said religion was gaining influence in American life. That was the lowest level (Pew) had seen in more than two decades. A year later, in a February 2025 (Pew) survey, 31% of U.S. adults said religion was gaining influence in American life – the highest figure seen in 15 years. To be sure, most Americans continue to say that religion’s role in society is declining. But the share who take this position fell sharply from 80% in 2024 to 68% in 2025”.

         Those surveyed were asked whether they thought religion is gaining or losing influence in American culture. Then, they were asked whether the change in religion's role in society they identified is a positive or negative development.

         59% responded with a positive view of religion. Within this group, 42% concluded that religion's influence is declining and that this is a negative development. Meanwhile, 17% maintained that religion's influence is growing and that this is a good thing. The share of Americans with a net positive opinion of religion increased from 49% in September 2022 to 57% in February 2024.

         Flip this around and 20% held a negative view of religion in 2025, including 10% who thought religion is declining and that’s a good thing. Another 10% responded that religious influence is growing and that’s a bad thing.

         The data also found that in 2025, 58% of U.S. adults say there is a great deal or some conflict between their religious beliefs and mainstream culture, up 10 percentage points from 2024 and 16 points from 2020.

         What do Americans think about the “truth” of religion? 48% said “many religions may be true”, 26% say that “only one religion can be true”, 18% say there is “little truth in any religion” and 6% say “there is no truth in any religion”.

         The May 2025 survey also asked a question specifically about Christianity’s influence on American life:

• 48% of Americans say Christianity’s influence on American life is decreasing.
• 27% say Christianity’s influence is increasing.
• 24% say Christianity’s influence is not changing very much.

         With nearly half of all Americans saying that Christianity’s influence in the culture is decreasing, it’s time for those of us who are Christians to ask ourselves why? Maybe it’s time we realize the real power of the Gospel message and live our lives in such as way as to exemplify its life-changing impact. We are His ambassadors whose very lives must reflect who He is.  If we do that, the culture will be profoundly impacted.

         Those are my thoughts.  I’m Janet Parshall.