A new Gallup poll shows Americans increasingly perceive religion as influencing national life more than a year ago. The June 2025 report indicates 34% of U.S. adults say religion is gaining influence, up from 20% in 2024. Meanwhile, 59% believe religion is losing ground, down from 75% in 2024.
For Thai readers, this snapshot of American attitudes offers insight into global conversations about education, civil society, and policy. In Thailand, Buddhism remains central to national identity, while the constitution maintains a separation between religion and state. These contrasts highlight how society negotiates religiosity and public life in different cultural contexts.
Gallup’s long-running survey shows that perceptions of religion’s social influence often pivot in response to major events. After 9/11 in 2001, belief in increasing religious influence surged from 39% to 71%, the highest since Gallup began tracking the measure. The COVID-19 pandemic also produced a spike in April 2020, with 38% seeing religion as more influential. The latest rise appears tied more to political dynamics than to personal religious practice, as many Americans still rate religion as “very important” in their lives—47%—the same as last year.
Historically, political shifts have shaped public views on religion’s role. Following certain party gains in Congress, Americans have shown stronger beliefs that religion is rising in influence. Conversely, other election outcomes have coincided with lower perceptions of religious influence. This pattern suggests people may assess religion’s social power through political lenses rather than through church attendance alone.
The latest findings cross demographics and political affiliations. Comparing 2022–2024 averages with the current survey shows significant gains in how many believe religion is growing in influence. Republicans, Democrats, and independents all report increases, though the magnitude varies. The gap between major parties narrows, indicating a broader cross-cutting trend in how people perceive religion’s place in society. Some groups—young adults, liberals, and Democrats—now appear more likely to see religion as influential, while older adults, moderates, and rural residents show more caution. Across Protestants, Catholics, and unaffiliated Americans, views align more closely than in the past.
Notably, attendance frequency does not strongly differentiate responses: weekly worshippers, semi-regular attenders, and those who rarely attend all show similar levels of agreement that religion’s influence is rising. This suggests the trend may reflect cultural and political cues rather than personal religious practice.
For Thailand, the findings resonate in meaningful ways. Thailand’s public discourse often weaves religion into politics, education, and social life, with Buddhist traditions deeply embedded in daily life. Yet urban, younger generations are increasingly exposed to diverse beliefs and critical perspectives, mirroring some secularizing currents found in the West. Experts note that religion’s social power often mirrors the political climate, a reminder that faith and public life remain intertwined in ways both similar to and distinct from the American experience.
In discussing these trends, Thai scholars emphasize focusing on critical dialogue about religion’s role in society. The key takeaway is that shifts in perception commonly follow political and social developments, not simply changes in personal devotion. Education systems and media play a crucial role in fostering informed, nuanced conversations about religion’s place in a modern, diverse society.
For Thai readers, the practical takeaway is to observe how religion intersects with daily life, politics, and culture—without assuming a single, permanent trend. Engaging with diverse viewpoints helps students, educators, and communities navigate a world where religion, education, and policy increasingly influence one another.
As global readers watch how religion interacts with politics and social life, staying informed about developments in major countries like the United States helps Thai audiences anticipate broader trends that may touch local debates on education, culture, and public life.