Pew Poll: More Americans Think Religion Is Gaining Influence

A new Pew Research Center poll shows that a growing proportion of Americans believe religion is gaining influence in public life. While 61% of adults still say its influence is waning, 37% say the opposite, an increase of 19 percentage points over the past two years.

More than half of Americans view the role of religion in the country positively. Among Catholics, 65% had a positive view, 12% a negative view and just over a fifth a neutral or unclear view.

On the relationship between religion and the state, 17% of Americans support the government declaring Christianity the country's official religion, up from 13% in 2024. A majority, however, favor upholding Christian moral values without an official state religion, or maintaining the separation of church and state.

More than half of Catholics said the Bible should influence US laws. Most respondents nonetheless oppose churches endorsing candidates in elections or becoming more involved in politics.

(ewtnnews, bak)