2 very different stories being told about people stepping away from faith

The intersection of religion and politics was center stage in the nation’s recent election, with political hostilities sometimes intruding into faith communities, like every other group. Yet a groundbreaking More in Common study recently pushed back on the common presumption that politics is what motivates people of faith the most, which has come to be a common perspective among secular critics of religion.

This extensive national survey found that political expression was among the least common reasons for religious engagement, with only 6% of Americans saying they turn to their faith community to express their political views and fewer than 9% saying they turn to their faith “to advance social or political causes.” Instead, other reasons such as looking for guidance in life (37%), finding comfort during difficult times (46%), and deepening their relationship with God (54%) motivate believers more.