Baylor Religion Survey Commemorates 20 Years with Wave 7 Results

Contact: Shelby Cefaratti-Bertin, 254-327-8012
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Twenty years ago, a team of researchers in Baylor University’s Department of Sociology, along with the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion, secured funding from the John Templeton Foundation to conduct two waves of a national survey – in conjunction with Gallup – of American religious beliefs, values and behaviors. Now commemorating its 20th anniversary with the survey’s Wave 7 results, the Baylor Religion Survey (BRS) has evolved into the most comprehensive national survey that provides the public and researchers with unique, nationally representative data on the intersection of religion, health and community in America. 

Led by Paul Froese, Ph.D., professor of sociology and director of the Baylor Religion Surveys, BRS researchers analyze and provide data from the publicly available survey, which has supported countless research projects across a wide range of disciplines for the past two decades.

“There was no national survey at the time that specifically looked at religious items,” Froese said. “The survey started at a really good time when people were coming back to studying religion in the U.S. Now, fast forward 20 years later, our survey is used by hundreds, maybe thousands of people for publishing scholarly papers and studying issues.”

Christian mission

In addition to offering valuable insight, the BRS supports Baylor’s Christian mission by fostering rigorous scholarship exploring the role of faith in American life. Through understanding how spirituality intersects with social and moral issues, the survey demonstrates Baylor’s commitment to integrating academic excellence with its calling to serve. 

“Baylor University is founded on the belief that God's nature is made known through both revealed and discovered truth,” Froese said. “To that end, the Baylor Religion Surveys seek to discover truth through the methods of survey research – specifically, our data provide a reliable empirical picture of the faith, religious practices and spiritual lives of all Americans.”  

The survey also aligns with Baylor in Deeds, the University’s strategic plan, and the commitments to broadening interdisciplinary research and impact as well as demonstrating Christian stewardship.

Open data

All data collected from each survey is available through The Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA), which plays a vital role in advancing the study of religion by providing free, open access to hundreds of high-quality datasets from leading scholars and research centers worldwide. This commitment to transparency and accessibility strengthens scholarship, fosters informed dialogue and supports the integration of faith and knowledge across disciplines.

“We are committed to providing the public with valid and reliable religion survey data. The surveys are available for free to any researcher, journalist or private citizen,” Froese said. “Making survey data publicly available reflects a core value in the social sciences and Baylor University – to spread knowledge generously, openly and without bias.”

Wave 7 results

The most recent survey, Wave 7, was conducted by Gallup through a national random sampling using a mailed questionnaire. More than 1,800 adults, ages 18 and older, from all 50 states and the District of Columbia completed nearly 400 questions exploring a variety of aspects of American religion and spirituality. The survey was conducted between Jan. 6 and March 26, 2025.

Coming on the heels of the 2024 presidential election and just months before the 118th Congress passed sweeping legislation on July 4, 2025, the survey captures a nation in transition, providing a particularly meaningful snapshot of American life against this backdrop and establishing a crucial baseline for understanding how Americans view their lives and their country.

“Our baseline provides insights into the moods, uncertainties and general life appraisals of Americans facing a rapidly changing world,” Froese said. “This data records Americans’ assessments of their own well-being.”

This year’s data demonstrates a continuation of the overall themes of Wave 6 from 2021, with the most profound results including the continued belief in the prosperity gospel, an increase in political and cultural division and growing economic despair. 

• Persistence of the Prosperity Gospel

One of the most striking findings from the Wave 7 national survey is the persistence of the prosperity gospel, which is the belief that God rewards the faithful with wealth and health. In a time of growing economic uncertainty, this theology offers hope to some, but the data reveal a paradox – believers in the prosperity gospel often report poorer mental and physical health. This contradiction underscores the complex ways faith interacts with economic and emotional realities. 

• Political and cultural division

The national survey results also highlight deep political and cultural divisions. Trust in institutions is sharply polarized, and attitudes toward abortion are similarly split, driven more by political and religious affiliation than by age or race. Meanwhile, belief in supernatural and magical thinking remains widespread, even among the non-religious, suggesting that secularization does not necessarily mean a decline in spiritual or mystical beliefs. 

• Economic despair 

Perhaps the most sobering finding is the sense of economic despair among younger, liberal and non-religious Americans, many of whom view the American Dream as dead, and society as fundamentally unfair. Financial insecurity breeds shame and indignity, particularly among lower-income groups. Yet, religiosity appears to buffer some of these feelings, correlating with greater economic optimism.

Moving forward

As the BRS enters its third decade, the national survey continues to provide valuable data on a period of significant political, economic and cultural change, offering insights into what Americans believe and how those beliefs influence their daily lives. By examining trends in spirituality, social attitudes and personal priorities, the survey serves as an important resource for researchers and the public seeking to understand patterns shaping American society.

“In sum, many Americans express concern about an uncertain future. We find in the survey results that religiosity can sometimes mitigate these fears and cynicisms but can also fuel false hopes and stubborn denials of fact,” Froese said. “While political divides are most acute today, they tend to map neatly and predictably onto variations in religious beliefs and practices.”

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY  

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu.  

ABOUT THE COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY 

The College of Arts & Sciences is Baylor University’s largest academic division, consisting of 25 academic departments in the sciences, humanities, fine arts and social sciences, as well as 11 academic centers and institutes. The more than 5,000 courses taught in the College span topics from art and theatre to religion, philosophy, sociology and the natural sciences. The College’s undergraduate Unified Core Curriculum, which routinely receives top grades in national assessments, emphasizes a liberal education characterized by critical thinking, communication, civic engagement and Christian commitment. Arts & Sciences faculty conduct research around the world, and research on the undergraduate and graduate level is prevalent throughout all disciplines. Visit the College of Arts & Sciences website.