Religion's long decline has paused, but expert doesn't see a revival in the data

KOMONews ^ | 11/02/2026 | CORY SMITH

[devane617]

Religion in America has plateaued after a long period of decline, a new report from the Pew Research Center shows.

The report, published last week, showed 70% of Americans identify with a religion, 47% pray daily, 44% say religion is very important to them, and 34% attend religious services at least monthly.

Monthly attendance for religious services is at a new high in Pew Research Center tracking, though that tracking only goes back to 2020.

But the various measures of religious thought and behavior in the new Pew Research Center report have remained within a narrow band for the better part of a decade. Even the high point this year for religious service attendance is within a couple of percentage points of where it’s been for the last four years.

“We've kind of hit a stasis point right now, where things aren't going really up or down,” said Ryan Burge, a political scientist whose research focuses on the impact of religion on American life.

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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: religion

[devane617]

FYI

[Responsibility2nd]

In US history we have had 4 Great Awakenings.

Only if/when Americans return to Godly spiritual values, will America recover from the moral, economic, social and cultural cesspool we are in.

[frank ballenger]

Heard a Cristian station person who said the role once filled by religion has been filled by radical politics for many young people. Woke protests, organized meetings are a form of “family” replacing church services and group meetings. Another point: “Father” is now an unpleasant word for many young people if they hear it is a prayer or a church service. Divorce, dysfunctional family and the diminished role of fathers in families turns them off.

[j.havenfarm]

Experts strike again

[Jonty30]

This is why God lets us bottom out. Our natural tendencies has death, if we were left to our own devices. People will seek out religion when they are hurting enough..

[Jonty30]

This is why God lets us bottom out. Our natural tendencies has death, if we were left to our own devices. People will seek out religion when they are hurting enough..

[Fungi]

A Seattle station, as if they really care.

[Bob434]

there will be a massive revival in the end times when the two witnesses are on earth- hopefully though there will be one before the end times too-

[Bob Wills is still the king]

“A Seattle station, as if they really care.”

____________________________________________________________

Are there no Christians or others in need of salvation in Seattle?

[Gay State Conservative]

Christianity is,among many other things,*the* great civilizer (yes,I know it's not a word).

[Fungi]

They won’t get salvation watching KOMO.

[nonliberal]

People coming back to church will soon be reminded why they left.

[Varsity Flight]

Apostasy.

Look up, your redemption draweth nigh. 📖

[chickenlips]

The issue has never been how many believe in God, but how many believe God.

Gen 15:6 And he (Abraham) believed the LORD, and He counted it to him as righteousness.

[Rockingham]

True enough, yet most people these days recognize the spiritual and supernatural realm of existence without necessarily attaching it to formal religious faith. In part this is because the large body of doctrines that come with conventional religion can be intimidating and off-putting in their demands and requirements. Unfortunately, most clerics and preachers lack the ability to calmly explain the core elements of Christianity and draw believers in the supernatural into believers in Christ.