American Jewish Opinion On Religion in Public Life

Note: We are presenting raw data. When available, we provide some or all of the crosstabs (i.e., breakdowns by various categories such as party ID). To analyze the data, we encourage users to read the entire study and the methodology used. Results and reliability can be affected by such things as sample size, question wording, and question order. Responses may also be influenced by context and timing; for example, if the survey is conducted during a war.

Considering everything, what impact do you feel religious organizations have on American society? (Keren Keshet, November 4, 2022, to January 2, 2023)

They do more good than harm	33%
They do more harm than good	41%
They don’t make much difference	26%

Do you think the founders of America originally intended for the U.S. to be a Christian nation? (Pew, September 13-18, 2022)

	Jews	All Adults
The founders of America originally intended for the U.S. to be a Christian Nation.	36%	60%
The U.S. should be a Christian Nation.	16%	45%
If they conflict, the Bible should have more influence than the will of the people on U.S. laws.	8%	27%

Is religion losing or gaining influence in America? (Pew, September 13-18, 2022)

	Jews	All Adults
Gaining	35%	23%
Losing	62%	74%

All in all, do you think it’s a good thing or a bad thing that religion is gaining/losing influence? (Pew, September 13-18, 2022)

	Jews	All Adults
Religious influence is growing, this is good	3%	9%
Religious influence is growing, this is bad	19%	40%
Religious influence is declining, this is good	31%	10%
Religious influence is declining, this is bad	23%	16%

Would you say living in the U.S. today is easier, harder, or about the same as it was 10 years ago for people WHO DO NOT BELIEVE OR PRACTICE A RELIGIOUS FAITH? (Pew, September 13-18, 2022)

	Jews	All Adults
Easier today	28%	25%
Harder today	29%	35%
About the same as 10 years ago	43%	38%

Would you say living in the U.S. today is easier, harder, or about the same as it was 10 years ago for people WHO HAVE STRONG RELIGIOUS FAITH? (Pew, September 13-18, 2022)

	Jews	All Adults
Easier today	21%	13%
Harder today	32%	47%
About the same as 10 years ago	45%	38%

In your opinion, should churches and other houses of worship… (Pew, September 13-18, 2022)

	Jews	All Adults
Keep out of political matters	71%	67%
Express their views on day-to-day social and political questions	28%	31%

During political elections, should churches and other houses of worship come out in favor of one candidate over another? (Pew, September 13-18, 2022)

	Jews	All Adults
Yes	22%	20%
No	77%	77%

Do you think churches and religious organizations have...“Too much influence in politics,” “Not enough influence in politics,” or “About the right amount of influence in politics” (Pew, September 13-18, 2022)

	Jews	All Adults
Too much influence in politics	63%	42%
Not enough influence in politics	13%	22%
About the right amount of influence in politics	23%	35%