New Barna and FRC Study Finds Churchgoers Tipping Towards Socialism—and Away From Scripture

New national survey reveals one in three churchgoers now prefers socialism to capitalism, while fewer than half say the Bible is their moral guide

By: Dr. George Barna,

GLENDALE, AZ (November 13, 2025) — A new national survey describing the ongoing ideological and spiritual drift among Americans reveals that even consistent churchgoers are abandoning traditional biblical beliefs and conservative social perspectives—reflecting a widening gap between Christian identity and biblical conviction.
The findings come from a nationwide study of 1,000 regular churchgoers, commissioned by Family Research Council (FRC) and conducted by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University under the direction of veteran researcher Dr. George Barna. The project is the latest in a continuing series tracking worldview, political engagement, and moral beliefs among Americans who attend Christian churches at least once a month.

Compared to a similar survey two years ago, churchgoers have moved closer to the ideological middle. The share identifying as “moderate” rose from 19% to 29%, while those calling themselves either conservative or liberal increased modestly. Barna noted that this drift may partly reflect both expanded response options and “the intense political controversies and hostilities of the past few years.”
Despite widespread political engagement—93% of regular churchgoers are registered to vote and 84% describe themselves as consistent voters—fewer now ground their choices in Scripture. Less than half (46%) said they determine who and what to vote for primarily based on biblical principles and candidate character, down from 51% in 2023.
Previous CRC research found that self-identified Christians were decisive in the 2024 Trump re-election, representing 72% of all voters and a substantial majority of Trump’s votes. Within that group, SAGE Cons—Spiritually Active, Governance Engaged Conservative Christians—overwhelmingly based their political decisions on biblical principles (100%), compared to only 38% among theologically born-again churchgoers who are less engaged.

Lukewarm Toward Israel

The survey also explored how churchgoers apply faith to international issues—particularly Israel’s current crisis. Only six in ten (60%) said it is “very important” for American Christians to pray for Israel.

That majority, Barna noted, “is surprisingly small given the biblical command to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” Support was strongest among adults with a biblical worldview (91%) and born-again Christians (72%), and lowest among churchgoing respondents in the West (48%) and Northeast (54%). Just 44% said verbal support for Israel is very important, 40% urged government backing, and 37% emphasized personal financial support. Generationally, Boomers led in prayer, Millennials in financial giving, and Gen Z ranked lowest across all forms of support.

Choosing Socialism

One of the survey’s most striking findings concerns economics. Despite a plurality identifying as conservative, one in three churchgoers (32%) said they prefer socialism to capitalism—a result statistically unchanged since 2023. Only 46% reject socialism, while 22% are undecided.

Support for socialism is especially strong among younger adults, blacks, those earning over $100,000 annually, and churchgoers lacking a biblical worldview. Among those identifying as LGBTQ, 60% expressed a preference for socialism—nearly double the national average.

Decline of the Biblical Worldview

Although 55% of churchgoers claim to have a worldview, nearly half either do not or are unsure—an increase from 38% two years ago. Among those who believe they have one, fewer than half (46%) describe it as biblical, meaning only three in ten regular churchgoers (30%) believe they hold a biblical worldview.

According to CRC’s annual American Worldview Inventory, the real number is much lower: only 11% of regular churchgoers actually possess a biblical worldview when measured by belief and behavior.

Equally concerning, fewer than half (47%) of all churchgoers say it is “very important” for Christians to have a biblical worldview—a steep drop from 59% in 2023. Interest in learning biblical worldview principles is also waning. Only one topic—religious liberty—drew majority interest (55%). Fewer than four in 10 expressed interest in receiving teaching from their church about social responsibility (38%), human sexuality (29%), abortion (28%), or euthanasia (25%).

Diminishing Moral Clarity

Churchgoers’ belief that the Bible provides clear moral direction has fallen sharply. Majorities still affirm biblical clarity on marriage (65%), religious liberty (59%), and abortion (51%), but less than half say Scripture speaks decisively about homosexuality (47%) or transgenderism (39%).

Compared to 2023, these numbers declined by 10 to 16 percentage points across that group of issues—the sharpest drops involving gender and sexuality.

“The data reveals widespread confusion about the most basic truths of the Christian faith—about who God is, what sin is, and how someone is saved … That tells us we have not just a cultural problem, but a discipleship problem in the church.”

— Dr. David Closson, Director of the Center for Biblical Worldview, Family Research Council

Fading Core Beliefs

Only 54% of churchgoers believe the Bible is the true or inspired Word of God without error. The rest describe it as one among many sacred texts (16%), inspired but flawed (15%), or simply a literary work (7%).

Likewise, only 61% believe in the God described in Scripture—an all-powerful, all-knowing Creator ruling the universe today—down from 68% two years earlier.

Biblical definitions of life, morality, and purpose have eroded sharply since 2023:

Only 25% define success as “consistent obedience to God,” a 14-point decline.
Just 31% say humans are born into sin and can only be saved through Jesus Christ (down from 41%).
36% believe eternal life with God is only through confessing sin and accepting Jesus as Savior.
37% identify life’s primary purpose as “knowing, loving, and serving God,” down from 53%.
Only 39% view the Bible as their primary moral guide, down from 56%.
Less than half (49%) believe in moral absolutes that apply to everyone, always.

Most churchgoers no longer believe euthanasia is morally wrong—only 43% hold that conviction.

A Wake-Up Call for the Church

Barna emphasized that the results, though sobering, also represent a profound opportunity.

“We have seen these faith patterns taking shape over the past three decades,” Barna said. “The combination of ignorance and apathy represents a tremendous opportunity to committed followers of Christ and church leaders to clearly and unapologetically address the fundamentals of the Christian faith in ways that will lead to transformed lives in our spiritually confused society.”

Expanding on Barna’s observations, Dr. David Closson, Director of the Center for Biblical Worldview at the Family Research Council, noted that the study captures both encouraging and deeply concerning realities within today’s church.

“Overall, this report is deeply sobering. On one hand, I’m grateful to see that so many churchgoers remain engaged politically, value religious liberty, and recognize the importance of prayer—especially prayer for Israel. These are good signs that believers still care about the moral and spiritual direction of our country.”

Closson added that the deeper challenge revealed by the data goes beyond civic engagement or surface-level belief—it points to a growing gap in discipleship and theological understanding among regular churchgoers.

“But the larger picture is alarming. The data reveals widespread confusion about the most basic truths of the Christian faith—about who God is, what sin is, and how someone is saved. Only a third of regular churchgoers affirm that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, and fewer than four in ten say their primary moral guide in life is the Bible. That tells us we have not just a cultural problem, but a discipleship problem in the church.”

He continued by stressing the urgency for renewed biblical teaching and formation—beginning at home and in the pulpit.

“When half of churchgoing adults say they don’t even know if they have a worldview, it underscores how urgently pastors and parents must recommit to teaching biblical truth from the pulpit and around the dinner table. The answer to these trends is not despair, but a return to the faithful proclamation of God’s Word. We must help Christians connect their zeal for God with the knowledge of God, as Scripture commands in Romans 10:2.”

Still, Closson expressed optimism that the current cultural moment presents a chance for spiritual renewal if churches will reclaim a commitment to truth.

“The good news is that this kind of clarity and conviction can be recovered. As the research shows, there’s still a strong foundation of spiritual interest and participation in local churches. But it’s time for that activity to be grounded once again in truth. Our calling is to turn biblical illiteracy into biblical literacy—and to ensure that the next generation of Christians is equipped to think and live according to a thoroughly biblical worldview.”

To access the full publication, “Social Issues and Worldview: A National Survey of Churchgoing Americans,” please visit FRC.org/Worldview.

Dr. Barna’s in-depth report, “Churchgoers Exhibit Significant Changes in Political and Religious Beliefs, and Lifestyles,” can be accessed here.

About Family Research Council

Founded in 1983, Family Research Council is a nonprofit research and educational organization dedicated to articulating and advancing a family-centered philosophy of public life. The mission of FRC is to champion marriage and family as the foundation of civilization, the seedbed of virtue, and the wellspring of society. FRC shapes public debate and formulates public policy that values human life, upholds the institutions of marriage and the family, and defends religious liberty. Believing that God is the author of life, liberty, and the family, FRC promotes the Judeo-Christian worldview as the basis for a just, free, and stable society. In addition to providing policy research and analysis for the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government, FRC seeks to inform the news media, the academic community, business leaders, and the general public about family issues that affect the nation from a biblical worldview. The Center for Biblical Worldview exists within FRC to equip Christians with a biblical worldview and train them to advance and defend the faith in their families, communities, and the public square. The Center is led by Dr. David Closson.

About the Cultural Research Center

The Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University in Glendale, Arizona, conducts the annual American Worldview Inventory as well as other nationwide surveys regarding worldview and cultural transformation. National studies completed by the Cultural Research Center (CRC) have investigated topics related to family, values, lifestyle, spiritual practices, and recent election-related activity and political views.

One of the groundbreaking efforts by CRC has been the worldview-related surveys conducted among the ACU student population. The first-of-its-kind ACU Student Worldview Inventory is administered to every ACU student at the start of each academic year, and a final time just prior to graduation. The results of that student census enable the University to track and address the worldview development of its students from a longitudinal perspective.

Research studies conducted by CRC are led by Dr. George Barna. Barna is a veteran of more than 40 years of national public opinion research, having previously guided the Barna group (which he sold in 2009), and the American Culture and Faith Institute. His research findings have been the subject of more than 60 books he has authored or co-authored, many of which have become national bestsellers. His most recent bestseller is Raising Spiritual Champions: Nurturing Your Child’s Heart, Mind and Soul (Arizona Christian University Press, 2023).

Like ACU, CRC embraces biblical Christianity. The Center works in cooperation with a variety of Bible-centric, theologically conservative Christian ministries and remains politically non-partisan. Results from past surveys conducted by CRC and information about the Cultural Research Center are available at www.CulturalResearchCenter.com.

Further information about Arizona Christian University is available at www.ArizonaChristian.edu.

What is a ‘biblical worldview’ and how does CRC measure worldview?