More Americans say religion is gaining influence, but most want churches out of politics, survey finds
By CDI Staff - Posted at Christian Daily International:
Published May 16, 2026
A growing share of Americans believe religion is becoming more influential in public life, but most still oppose churches endorsing political candidates or taking sides in day-to-day political debates, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center.The survey, conducted April 6–12 among 3,592 U.S. adults, found that 37% now say religion is gaining influence in American life — the highest proportion recorded in Pew surveys going back to 2002. That figure has climbed 19 percentage points in just two years.
Despite the uptick in perceived influence, 79% of respondents said churches and other houses of worship should not endorse candidates during elections. Two-thirds said religious institutions should stay out of day-to-day social and political matters. Those figures have changed little in recent years.
Overall, 55% of respondents expressed what Pew described as a positive view of religion's role in American life — meaning they either welcomed religion's growing influence or regretted its decline. Twenty-two percent held a negative view.
