Ahead of the Trend
New study suggests thinking about God can make people more generous to outsiders
By Bob Smietana — April 24, 2023
(RNS) — The study was a collaboration among researchers looking into how religion affects human behavior. Some thought religion might make people generous to just those who share their faith. Others thought the generosity could extend to people from other groups.
We know Americans have become less religious. Surprising new data shows us where.
By Ryan Burge — April 12, 2023
COVID-19 sent houses of worship online. Will congregations come back in person?
By Ryan Burge — March 24, 2023
More Stories
How much do Americans know about the faiths around them?
By Ryan Burge — February 15, 2023
(RNS) — And what helps us most to understand our neighbors’ faiths?
Is Catholic teaching on birth control driving people from the pews?
By Ryan Burge — January 10, 2023
(RNS) — Catholics’ adherence to the church’s teaching seems to depend in part on how often the person attends Mass.
More Americans stay away from church as pandemic nears year three
By Bob Smietana — January 5, 2023
(RNS) — Many Americans already had dropped out of church life before the pandemic. COVID-19 gave them a reason to let go completely, according to a new survey.
Shopping for a new church? Your politics may determine which pew fits
By Bob Smietana — December 12, 2022
(RNS) — A new study examines the role that politics plays in how Americans choose a new church.
Did faith fall off a cliff during COVID? New study says no.
By Bob Smietana — November 14, 2022
(RNS) — Religious life in America was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. But did it lead to a loss of faith as well as a decline in churchgoing?
Religious groups with immigrant members grew fastest over past decade
By Yonat Shimron — November 11, 2022
(RNS) — A decennial study of US religious life shows that the number of participants in congregational services has not kept up with the overall population growth. But religious groups drawing large numbers of immigrants have seen steady growth.
Does education ‘cure’ people of faith? The data says no
By Ryan Burge — November 10, 2022
(RNS) — Despite a long-standing biased assumption among many that the uneducated cling to religion, studies show people with higher degrees are most likely to be religious.
Study: Religion and spirituality can aid youth mental health crisis
By Kathryn Post — October 19, 2022
(RNS) — Religion and spirituality could help remedy the youth mental health crisis, Springtide Research finds.
Even Christians who are Democrats are abandoning the Social Gospel
By Ryan Burge — October 6, 2022
(RNS) — Survey data show that church attendance, not party, is more likely to determine how Christians view the kingdom.
Survey: Confederate memorials still divide Americans and religion is a big predictor
By Yonat Shimron — September 28, 2022
(RNS) — Majorities of Protestants, Catholics and Mormons support efforts to preserve Confederate monuments and memorials, a PRRI survey finds.
Fewer than half of Americans may be Christian by 2070, according to new projections
By Bob Smietana — September 13, 2022
(RNS) — A new report projects Americans' future — a future where Christianity, though diminished, persists, while non-Christian faiths grow amid rising secularization.
‘God-denying’ women and self-replacing Christians: How religion changes birthrates
By Ryan Burge — September 8, 2022
(RNS) — Religion has become a part of the conversation about declining birthrates.
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