Study Finds Americans Are More Spiritual Than Religious as Church Attendance Plummets

Are Americans losing their religion—or just changing how they connect with it?

A new decade-long study suggests weekly church attendance has dropped from 44% to just 13%, signaling a major shift in the way people engage with faith. Despite the steep decline in formal religious participation, many still say they are spiritual and maintain personal beliefs and practices outside traditional institutions.

The reasons for this shift are complex. Increasing value conflicts—particularly around issues like LGBTQ+ rights, gender equality, and institutional hypocrisy—are driving people away from churches, synagogues, and mosques. For many, these places no longer reflect their values or offer the sense of authenticity they seek in a spiritual life.

During a recent Roggin Report discussion, contributors Anthony Turk and Katrina Dixon shared their personal experiences with religion and spirituality.

“I grew up Catholic and even served as a Eucharistic minister,” said Turk. “But when the abuse scandals surfaced—thousands of cases worldwide—I just couldn’t reconcile my faith with the institution anymore. It was man-made hypocrisy.”

Dixon, a singer who occasionally performs in churches, expressed similar feelings. “I’m not religious, but I am spiritual,” she said. “Organized religion feels like a rulebook. I think we can be more moral and open-minded without those constraints.”

The idea of being moral and spiritual without attending a place of worship resonated with both contributors. Turk stated plainly, “You can absolutely be spiritual without organized religion. I don’t think morality is exclusive to religious institutions.” Dixon added, “You might even be more moral when you’re not limited by rigid dogma.”

While formal worship attendance is declining, this cultural shift doesn’t signal the end of faith—it may be an evolution toward more personal and inclusive spiritual expression.

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