---
title: "Religion Weekly Update, Oct. 21, 2026"
description: "Religion & Public Life A weekly digest of the Center’s latest research on religion and public life in the U.S. and around the world · Subscribe ↗ Media mentions White Evangelicals backing GOP midterm candidates, but other religious groups favor Democrats: Pew poll Oct. 19 – The Christian Post In the news Christianity Today, a voice of […]"
date: "2026-10-21"
authors:
  - name: "Rebecca Leppert"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/newsletter/religion-weekly/religion-weekly-update-oct-21-2026/"
---

# Religion Weekly Update, Oct. 21, 2026

---

October 21, 2026

## Religion & Public Life

*A weekly digest of the Center's latest research on religion and public life in the U.S. and around the world · [**Subscribe ↗**](https://pewresearch.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=434f5d1199912232d416897e4&id=3e953b9b70)*

---

## [Religion and Spirituality Online](https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2023/06/02/online-religious-services-appeal-to-many-americans-but-going-in-person-remains-more-popular/)

Nearly four-in-ten Americans are part of an online community. These can be based on social media sites or apps, discussion forums, or other virtual spaces. Roughly one-in-ten U.S. adults say they are part of an online community related to religion or spirituality, according to a [recent Pew Research Center report](https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2026/10/14/online-community-and-connection-in-america/) from the Pew-Knight Initiative.

Americans also engage with religion through technology in other ways. In [a separate Center survey from 2022](https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2023/06/02/online-religious-services-appeal-to-many-americans-but-going-in-person-remains-more-popular/), about two-in-ten U.S. adults said they ever use apps or websites as aids to scripture reading or watch religion-focused videos online. Another 15% said they listen to religion-focused podcasts. Read more about [the use of apps and websites in religious life](https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2023/06/02/use-of-apps-and-websites-in-religious-life/) in our report.

#### Media mentions

[White Evangelicals backing GOP midterm candidates, but other religious groups favor Democrats: Pew poll](https://www.christianpost.com/news/pew-poll-reveals-who-evangelicals-are-supporting-in-the-midterms.html)
Oct. 19 - The Christian Post

#### In the news

[Christianity Today, a voice of centrist evangelicalism, is in turmoil](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/21/us/christianity-today-magazine-layoffs.html)
Oct. 21 - The New York Times *

[Alabama joins Supreme Court fight over religious school vaccine exemptions](https://www.alreporter.com/2026/10/20/alabama-joins-supreme-court-fight-over-religious-school-vaccine-exemptions/)
Oct. 20 - Alabama Political Reporter

[J Street’s super PAC targets 2 Republicans backed by AIPAC](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/20/us/j-street-israel-super-pac-republicans-aipac.html)
Oct. 20 - The New York Times *

[Celebrity exorcist priest to take one-year ‘media fast’ after meeting with Denver archbishop](https://apnews.com/article/catholic-church-exorcism-occult-ufos-denver-ba8f25cd9c5f275f3fe8fcb983344868)
Oct. 20 - The Associated Press

[Polish parliament votes to liberalize abortion access](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/10/20/polish-parliament-votes-to-liberalise-abortion-access_6760360_4.html)
Oct. 20 - Le Monde

[Nonpartisan coalition of religious leaders plans to counter voter intimidation on Election Day](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/nonpartisan-coalition-of-religious-leaders-plans-to-counter-voter-intimidation-on-election-day)
Oct. 20 - PBS News

[El-Sayed, Vance pressed on religion, loyalty and immigration](https://religionnews.com/2026/10/19/el-sayed-and-vance-face-questions-about-faith-and-politics/)
Oct. 19 - Religion News Service

[Kenyan cult leader found guilty over 190 children starved to death in the hope of ‘meeting Jesus’](https://www.cnn.com/2026/10/19/africa/paul-mackenzie-shakahola-kenya-intl)
Oct. 19 - CNN

[An American pope brings American-style governance to the Vatican, even in a health crisis](https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-leo-governing-3e202c0e2a82f83ab30ac72154d8224c)
Oct. 17 - The Associated Press

[Community leaders say foiled Illinois mass shooting was result of surge in anti-Hindu hate online](https://apnews.com/article/hindu-south-asians-temple-threat-online-hate-3059e745dac734188320448f88e78fb6)
Oct. 16 - The Associated Press