Most regular viewers of religious services began watching virtually prior to the COVID-19 pandemic

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May 31, 2023

1. Americans’ experiences with virtual religious services

Most regular viewers of religious services began watching virtually prior to the COVID-19 pandemic

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Most regular viewers of religious services began watching virtually prior to the COVID-19 pandemic

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1. Americans’ experiences with virtual religious services
27% of U.S. adults say they recently watched religious services on screens or typically do so at least monthly; 33% say the same about attending in person
A quarter of U.S. adults who regularly watch religious services online or on TV cite COVID-19 as major reason for doing so
39% of those who watch religious services on screens say they usually participate physically in similar ways as they would in person
About half of Americans who regularly watch virtual religious services say they watch by themselves
25% of those who regularly watch religious services online say they feel like active participants
Two-thirds of adults who regularly watch religious services virtually are satisfied with the experience
About two-thirds of regular watchers of virtual religious services are highly satisfied with the sermons
Protestants in the historically Black tradition are especially likely to be satisfied with music at virtual services
Virtual watchers of religious services feel far less connected with others than do in-person attenders
Among those who regularly attend services in person and watch them online, large majority prefer in-person attendance
Nearly four-in-ten regular viewers of religious services say they tune in to more than one congregation
A third of regular viewers of virtual religious services only stream services from outside their local area
About four-in-ten U.S. adults who regularly watch virtual religious services watch congregations aside from one they attend in person

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ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts.

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