How Americans Feel About Religion’s Influence in Government and Public Life
A growing share of U.S. adults say religion is gaining influence, but most still want churches to stay out of politics, a 2026 survey finds.
Demographics & Politics
All
Demographics & Politics
Publications
-
-
Americans have become more likely to say Trump is not too or not at all religious
Among Trump’s strongest supporters, relatively few people say they think he is very religious. Just 8% of Republicans and 5% of White evangelicals say this is the case.
-
Many Latin Americans – especially Protestants – see a role for religion in national leadership, identity and laws
Majorities in Brazil, Colombia and Peru want leaders who stand up for their religious beliefs. Protestants are especially supportive of Christianity in public life.
-
How Americans view racial diversity ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary
75% of U.S. adults see diversity as a good thing for the country, but Democrats and Republicans differ sharply on how diversity impacts the country’s culture.
-
Key findings about Black immigrants in the U.S.
The U.S. Black immigrant population has more than doubled since 2000, reaching 5.6 million in 2024 and now making up 11.4% of the total Black population.
-
About a third of UN member countries have ever had a woman leader
Women are currently the head of government in 13 of the 193 member countries of the United Nations.
-
White evangelicals remain among Trump’s strongest supporters, but they’re less supportive than a year ago
There has been an 8-percentage point drop since early 2025 in the share of White evangelicals who support all or most of Trump’s plans and policies.
-
Majorities of Americans say it’s important to talk about the country’s historical successes and failures
Wide majorities of Republicans and Democrats alike view both the positive and negative aspects of the nation’s history as important to focus on.
-
Religiousness varies a lot by race among Democrats, relatively little among Republicans
In general, U.S. adults who are Republican or lean toward the GOP are more religious than Democrats and Democratic leaners.
-
5 facts about religion in Nigeria
As of 2020, Muslims made up a majority of Nigeria’s total population (56.1%), while Christians made up 43.4%.
