Has the U.S. Congress become more religious over the past half century?
Critical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:
In the 87th Congress (1961-1962) how many of the 535 members of Congress were protestants?
In the current 119th Congress (2025-2027) how many of the 535 members of Congress are protestants?
Since 1961, what has been the fastest growing religious group in the US Congress?
A large majority of current lawmakers in Congress – 461 – identify as Christian, but that is the lowest total since 2009, when Pew Research Center began analyzing this trend. Describe the most significant trend you see in the chart above.
Still, Christians’ share in Congress is greater than their proportion of the broader American public. Nearly nine-in-ten congressional members (87%) are Christian as of Jan. 3, 2025 compared with 63% of U.S. adults overall. Why do you think Congress is more Christian than America at large?
By contrast, religiously unaffiliated adults’ share on Capitol Hill is far below their share of the overall U.S. population: While 29% of Americans say they are atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular,” prior to the 119th congress one lawmaker – independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona who is now retired – identified as religiously unaffiliated. (Democratic Rep. Jared Huffman of California describes himself as humanist, and 20 lawmakers’ religious affiliations are categorized as unknown. Most of those 20 declined to state a religious affiliation when they were asked by CQ Roll Call, which served as the primary data source for the Center’s analysis.) Why do you think religiously unaffiliated people are underrepresented in Congress?
Based on the visual below*, in what way is the religious makeup of the US Congress most and least reflective of that of the U.S. population?
Explain how the mismatch between religious affiliation in Congress and religious affiliation in the general American population impacts the policy Congress creates.
Based on the changes in this chart over the past half century. What do you think this chart will look like in 20 years?
The First Amendment begins, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;" In his first speech from the chamber as speaker, Mike Johnson cast his ascendance to the position second in line to the presidency in religious terms, saying, “I believe God has ordained and allowed each one of us to be brought here for this specific moment.” Speaker Johnson’s beliefs includes opposition not just to same-sex marriage, but to homosexuality itself, which he has written is “inherently unnatural” and a “dangerous lifestyle.” Given the religious makeup of the current US Congress, describe the degree of separation between church and state in America.
Write and Discuss
Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.
Act on your Learning
Contact your US Representative and ask them to tell you how their religion impacts their voting in Congress. Invite them to come and speak to your class! Share your results in class or online.
Get Creative
I asked AI to write a rap about religion in the U.S. Congress. Your job is to title the rap that follows:
(Verse 1)
Yo, check it out, it's the Capitol Hill flow,
Where religion and politics intertwine, you know.
The Founding Fathers said, "Separation's the key,"
But in Congress, it's a different reality.
(Verse 2)
Christians dominate the scene, that's a fact,
Overrepresented, while others lack.
Protestants, Catholics, they hold the sway,
While Buddhists and Muslims have little to say.
(Verse 3)
The House and the Senate, a religious divide,
More Christians in the House, they reside.
Democrats and Republicans, beliefs they profess,
But Christian values, they tend to express.
(Verse 4)
"In God We Trust," on our money it's stamped,
A Christian nation, some have it ramped.
But diversity's growing, that's plain to see,
Will Congress reflect that, or keep it the old G?
(Verse 5)
The First Amendment, freedom's the call,
But religion's influence, it can enthrall.
Establishment Clause, Free Exercise too,
In Congress, they grapple, what to do.
(Verse 6)
Some say it's good, a moral compass they hold,
Others say it's bias, stories untold.
Policy decisions, shaped by belief,
Religion in Congress, brings joy and grief.
(Verse 7)
The future's uncertain, the demographics shift,
Will Congress adapt, or will it drift?
Only time will tell, as the nation evolves,
Religion in Congress, it still resolves.
Learning Extension*
Check out this great Pew Report: Faith on the Hill, about the 119th Congress and religion.
