IS RELIGION INCREASING OR DECREASING ITS INFLUENCE ON U.S. SOCIETY?*

A remarkable consistency of response is recorded, with substantial and mostly comparable majorities in all groups holding the view that religion is decreasing its influence on U.S. society.


Persons in each of the four major faiths tested are in substantial agreement that religion is losing ground:

• 61% of Catholics,
• 59% of Protestants,
• 58% of Mormons, and
• 53% of Jews.

Of denominations, those who give their religious preference as Episcopal are slightly more bullish than others.


Young adults are somewhat more likely than their elders to say religion is “losing its influence” on American life:

• 67% of those 18-29 say “losing,” compared to
• 47% of those 75 and older.

Conservatives and liberals are in close agreement that religion is losing its impact on U.S. society. Differences on the basis of party affiliation are also slight.