Americans are, by and large, a religious group. According to Gallup in 2020, 73% of Americans thought religion was at least fairly important in their own lives. Four years earlier, Gallup found that 89% of Americans believed in God or a universal spirit.
Stereotypes often cast Republicans as religious and Democrats as atheists; however, survey data shows that while Republicans in surveys do indicate they are somewhat more religious, a high percentage of Americans overall, including many Democrats, also care about religion and its practices.
Pew and Gallup have a long history of surveying questions of religion among Americans. Below are results of some of their most recent surveys indicating common ground between Republicans and Democrats.
- Gallup reported in 2025 that Americans may believe religion is becoming more influential:
- 35% of Republicans, 31% of Independents, and 41% of Democrats believe religion is having increased influence on Americans.
- Overall Americans who believe religion’s influence is increasing has risen 14 points since 2024, from 20% to 34%.
- Pew reported in 2025 that 83% of Americans believe in God or some sort of universal spirit, while 86% believe that a spirit or soul exists alongside our physical bodies.
- Pew Research found in a 2024 survey that:
- 80% of Americans say that religion is losing its relevance and influence in American life.
- 57% say that religion is a net positive on society.
- Approximately half of U.S. adults believe conservative Christians have overstepped in their efforts to impose religious values within government and public education. This sentiment is shared by a significant majority of atheists (91%), agnostics (85%), and Jewish Americans (76%).
- According to 2024 Pew polling, both Republicans (95%) and Democrats (95%) agree that a president leading an ethical and moral life is important. Specifically concerning religion, 78% of Republicans and 53% of Democrats believe it's important for a president to advocate for people who share their religious beliefs.
- Pew data from 2024 indicates that only 13% of Americans favor designating Christianity as the official U.S. religion. While 44% support government endorsement of Christian moral values without an official state religion, 39% oppose both actions.
- Gallup reports in 2024 that only 21% of Americans attend church weekly, while 69% of Americans attend church at some point.
- Ipsos reported in 2022 that a majority of people believe that spirituality (62%) and religion (57%) are significant forces in uniting the nation.
Hyria Stuart is a college student currently studying in Beijing. He majors in social work and serves as a political research assistant (American/international politics) at Boston College while planning to pursue a graduate degree (Public Administration/Policy) in the U.S. He has been interning as a policy analyst and editor since April 2020, focusing on nonpartisan proposals seeking to bring Americans together. He helped re-elect Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) in 2020 as a campaign intern. Hyria has published in “Raise the Voices.” His political bias is Lean Left.
This piece was edited by News Editor Micaela Ricaforte (Center bias), and was reviewed by James Coan (Center) of Braver Angels.
