Last week, after the National Prayer Breakfast, President Trump announced that he was creating a task force to root out “anti-Christian bias” in the U.S. even as others lamented that holding the mostly Christian gathering at the Capitol eroded the separation of church and state.
While currently there is palpable concern regarding the overlap of religion and administration, it should in no way be misconstrued as reflecting a decline in faith or religious beliefs. As diverse and cosmopolitan as American society is, it harbors a deep faith in God.
The great strides we have made in science and technology have not eroded our wonder at the vast and yet-to-be-fully-explored universe and its creator. Even as our advancements have empowered us, we are made aware of how little we know, and how insignificant we are in the grand scheme of things. Perhaps this wonder at the magnificence of creation is the reason why faith still plays a significant role in our lives, influencing personal values and moral frameworks.
Belief In God Remains Strong
To gauge America’s sentiment on God, faith, and religion, Newsmax/TIPP Poll quizzed 1,491 adults across the nation in October 2024. To the question, “Do you believe in God?” a definite majority, 80%, said yes. While a tenth are undecided, a similar number, 11%, said they did not believe in God.
While it is true that fewer among the younger generation believe in God, the numbers are not significantly lower. The share of those who believe in God increases with age.
It is a popular notion that faith in God is gradually declining, especially among the youth. Interestingly, data presents a different picture. Year-on-year, those who express faith in God have inched up, defying prevalent notions.
By religion, Protestants (95%) and Other Christians (94%) report the highest levels of faith. Nearly nine in ten Catholics believe in God, while belief remains strong at 83% among those identifying with other religions. Meanwhile, nearly four in ten individuals with no religious affiliation (39%) also say they believe in God, reflecting the persistence of spiritual belief across diverse backgrounds.
The religious landscape of the U.S. is predominantly Christian, with over three-quarters of the population identifying with various forms of Christianity. Around half are estimated to be Protestant and a quarter Catholic. The next largest group, close to a fifth, comprises the ‘unaffiliated’ ––i.e., people who have faith in God but are not affiliated with any particular religion or religious group. Around five percent of the population belong to other faiths, like Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, etc.
The Enduring Importance Of Religion
With such a clear indication of faith, it is unsurprising that close to three-fourths, 71%, believe religion is an important part of their lives. Of this, 46% said it held a “very important” place in their lives.
The demographics posting above-average percentages are:
- 84% Conservatives
- 81% Blacks
- 80% Silent generation
- 79% Republicans
- 78% Black/Hispanic
- 77% South
- 77% Parents
Wokeism And The Decline Of Religion
Though faith in God and religion continue to play a significant role in Americans' lives, there is a palpable sense that the youth are being turned away from their faith and religious practices. Many attribute this change to the shifting ideological and political culture on our campuses.
Over the years, many have lamented the weakening role of religion and faith in our daily lives. Myriad problems faced by communities, families, and individuals have been attributed to the weakening of our faith and the breakdown of our religion-backed social networks.
When the Newsmax/TIPP Poll posed the question, "To what extent, if any, do you believe there is a connection between the decline of religion in the United States and the influence of woke culture, socialism, or similar ideologies in our educational institutions?" a clear majority agreed.
While a significant majority (60%) perceived a great/moderate correlation between the two, it's important to note that less than a third (29%) dismissed the connection outright. More than a tenth (12%) were undecided.
Along party affiliations and ideologies, those who believe the rise of woke culture has caused the decline in religion, the numbers are telling.
As our data shows, religion and faith continue to play pivotal roles in Americans' lives. A significant section of the population finds hope and solace in their faith. The networks fostered by religious institutions and communities provide many with a sense of purpose and belonging. Religious faith indelibly woven into the fabric of American society will continue to guide and comfort people for decades to come.
TIPP Picks
Selected articles from tippinsights.com And More
Trump Rides The Vibes—Michael Barone, The Daily Signal
Wait, You Mean There’s Corruption In Washington? —Editorial Board, Issues & Insights
Consumer Confidence Inches Up In February, RealClearMarkets/TIPP Survey Shows—Editorial Board, TIPP Insights
Signs That President Donald Trump Is Preparing For War On Mexico—Adam Dick, The Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity
How Do We Best Interpret Income Inequality?—Lipton Matthews, Mises Wire
Will US Export Restrictions Work?—Barry Eichengreen, Project Syndicate
Trump To Impose 25% Tariff On Steel, Aluminium Imports—TIPP Staff, TIPP Insights
Israel Troops Withdraw From Corridor That Split Gaza In Two—TIPP Staff, TIPP Insights
Exclusive From Axios: Trump's Team Used Decoy Plane To Thwart Serious Iran Assassination Threat—TIPP Staff, TIPP Insights
Meet Norm Eisen, The Man Leading The Charge To Evict Trump—TIPP Staff, TIPP Insights
‘Terrified That The FBI Might Have The Internet?’: Jennings Dismantles CNN Guest’s Fear About Musk—Hailey Gomez, DCNF
‘He’s Doing … What He Said He Would Do’: CBS Poll Reveals Trump’s Highest Approval Rating Yet—Hailey Gomez, DCNF
America’s Addiction To Big Sugar Leaves A Bitter Aftertaste—Andrew Hale & Paul Bustamante, The Daily Signal
How Trump Is Uprooting Radical ’60s Foundations Of Poisonous DEI And CRT Programs—Mike Gonzalez, The Daily Signal
DHS Secretary Noem: Time To Cut ‘Red Tape’ In The Way Of Hurricane Recovery—Virginia Allen, The Daily Signal
Why Congressman And Former Green Beret Says Next Generation Is ‘Condemned’ To Conflict—Virginia Allen, The Daily Signal
