46% of people who left their childhood religion say they did so because they stopped believing in the religion’s teachings | Pew Research Center

December 10, 2025

Why Do Some Americans Leave Their Religion While Others Stay?

46% of people who left their childhood religion say they did so because they stopped believing in the religion’s teachings

46% of people who left their childhood religion say they did so because they stopped believing in the religion’s teachings

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46% of people who left their childhood religion say they did so because they stopped believing in the religion’s teachings

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Why Do Some Americans Leave Their Religion While Others Stay?
56% of U.S. adults identify with their childhood religion
Top reasons Jews identify with their religion include liking traditions, sense of community
46% of people who left their childhood religion say they did so because they stopped believing in the religion’s teachings
About half of adults who left their childhood religion for a different one say they felt ‘called’ to their new faith
About half of adults who left their childhood religion for no religion say they left because they stopped believing
Reasons ‘nones’ say they don’t identify with a religion
Americans who were raised in a religion and had a positive experience are more likely to have stayed
Americans who were raised in a religion and are currently Republican more likely to still identify with their childhood religion
Compared with Democrats, Republicans who were not raised in a religion are more likely to identify with one as adults
Most U.S. adults who switch religions do so before they are 30
Most Americans who were raised in a religion but no longer identify with one left by early adulthood