Politics in the Pews? New Pew Research on What Churchgoers Hear from their Religious Leaders

Faith Communities as Spaces for Connection and Care

A May 2026 Pew Research Center survey reveals that American houses of worship serve as active, engaged hubs for discussing important real-world issues. Two-thirds (66%) of regular churchgoers report that their clergy actively address social and political topics, demonstrating that faith communities remain deeply connected to the broader world.

Rather than being strictly partisan spaces, American pulpits frequently emphasize compassionate outreach, civic engagement, and unity.

Upward of four-in-ten attenders (44%) say they are unsure about their clergy’s political affiliation. About a quarter (27%) say their religious leaders are a mix of both Republicans and Democrats, while fewer say they are either mostly Republicans (19%) or mostly Democrats (8%).
Across groups, some regular attenders stand out: 

36% of White evangelical Protestants say their clergy are mostly Republicans, while just 3% say they are mostly Democrats.

21% of Black Protestants say their clergy are mostly Democrats, while 8% say they are mostly Republicans.

Self-identified Republicans are more likely to say the religious leaders at their house of worship are mostly Republicans (28%), rather than mostly Democrats (3%).

Democrats are more likely to say their clergy are mostly Democrats (16%), rather than mostly Republicans (8%).

Still, large shares of regular attenders across groups say the political makeup of their clergy is either mixed or unclear to them.

Highlights of Positive and Shared Values

• A Focus on Compassion and the Environment: Across various denominations, regular attenders frequently hear uplifting messages rooted in stewardship and humanitarian care. For instance, churchgoers are significantly more likely to hear messages about the importance of protecting the environment (15%) and the need to welcome and support immigrants (15%).

• A Spirit of Inclusivity: Many religious communities actively champion inclusivity. White nonevangelical Protestants, for example, hear a healthy balance of perspectives, with clergy just as likely to urge the warm acceptance of immigrants as well as any other viewpoint.

• Support and Global Awareness: Clergy frequently foster global awareness and solidarity, with many congregations hearing strong messages of support for Israel and thoughtful discussions regarding peace and military conflicts abroad.

Keeping Faith Above Partisan Politics

One of the most encouraging findings of the study is that faith communities successfully transcend partisan politics. The vast majority of churchgoers do not view their places of worship as politically polarized spaces:

• 71% of regular attenders report that their clergy’s political affiliations are either beautifully mixed (27%) or kept entirely neutral and unsure (44%).

• This widespread neutrality ensures that houses of worship remain welcoming, inclusive sanctuaries for individuals of all political persuasions, focusing on shared spiritual values rather than political divisions.

Half of Catholic Mass attenders say their clergy recently spoke about abortion

Ultimately, the data shows that American religious institutions continue to be places where people can engage with the world’s challenges through a lens of care, community, and shared responsibility.

Source - https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2026/05/27/what-political-issues-do-americans-hear-about-in-church/