More Americans Say Religion Is Gaining Influence, But Most Want Churches Out of Politics
A new survey finds that more Americans believe religion is gaining influence in public life, a reversal from years of declining numbers. At the same time, most respondents said they do not want churches to endorse political candidates or take sides in elections. The findings come as faith-based political events draw fresh scrutiny.
A new survey released this month found that more Americans believe religion is gaining influence in public life, reversing a trend that had persisted for years. But the same poll found that most Americans do not want churches involved in electoral politics.
The survey, reported by Christian Daily International on May 24, 2026, asked respondents about the role of faith in American society. A majority said they saw religion as a positive force in communities. A smaller but still significant share said they believed religious influence on government was growing.
Despite that, roughly two-thirds of respondents said churches should stay out of elections and avoid endorsing candidates.
The findings arrive as faith-based political events have drawn fresh attention. A Trump-backed prayer gathering in May drew both praise from conservative Christians and criticism from those who said it blurred the line between church and state.
"People want faith in the public square, but they don't want their pastor telling them who to vote for," said one researcher familiar with the data.
The survey did not identify a single denomination or tradition. Responses varied significantly by age, with younger Americans more likely to say religion should stay out of politics entirely.
Church leaders across traditions have responded differently to the results. Some say the findings validate their focus on community service over political engagement. Others argue that faith cannot be separated from civic life.
The full survey methodology and sample size were not released publicly at the time of reporting.
