Thirty five percent of adults in the United States no longer identify with their childhood religion. In contrast, 56% maintain their original affiliation, while 9 % grew up without religion and remain unaffiliated, reveals a Pew Research Center analysis.
This analysis draws from the 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study and a May 2025 follow-up survey of 8,937 adults. Researchers explored personal reasons behind staying, switching, or becoming religiously unaffiliated (“nones”).
Childhood experiences, age, and politics strongly influence these choices, showing religion shapes identity differently across generations.
Why People Stay in Their Childhood Religion
Adults who retain their childhood faith most often cite core spiritual fulfillment. Among stayers, 64% say belief in teachings matters greatly, 61% note spiritual needs met, and 56% find life meaning through religion.
Community (44%), familiarity (39%), and traditions (39%) rank lower. Protestants emphasize teachings (70%), Catholics spiritual needs (54%), and Jews traditions (60%) and community (57%).
Positive childhood religious experiences boost retention: 84% of those with good memories stay affiliated, versus just 24% with negative ones.
Reasons Americans Leave Their Childhood Faith
Those who left (including switchers to other religions and nones) commonly point to doubt and disconnection. Top factors include stopped believing teachings (46%), religion unimportant (38%), and gradual drift (38%).
About one-third blame social/political teachings (34%) or clergy scandals (32%). Switchers to new faiths often felt “called” (48%) or spiritually unmet (45%), while nones stress disbelief (51%).
Why 29% of Americans Are Now Religiously Unaffiliated
“Nones” (atheists, agnostics, nothing in particular) make up 29% of adults. They overwhelmingly say morality needs no religion (78%), question teachings (64%), and find spirituality elsewhere (54%).
Half distrust organizations (50%) or leaders (49%). Some view religion as harmful (6%) or unnecessary despite belief in God (6%).
Demographic Patterns in Religious Retention
Retention varies widely. Hindus (82%), Muslims (77%), and Jews (76%) keep childhood faiths most often; Catholics (57%) and Buddhists (45%) least. Protestants hold at 70%.
Politics matters: 73% of Republican-raised stay affiliated versus 56% of Democrats. Younger adults switch more: 35% under 30 are nones from religious upbringings, versus 13% over 65.
Highly religious childhood homes retain 82%, low-religiosity ones just 47%.
Religious identity in America reflects deep personal, familial, and cultural ties. While doubt drives many away, belief and meaning anchor others, with demographics shaping who stays or leaves.
Q&A: Key Insights from Pew’s Religious Switching Study
Q: What percentage of Americans stay with childhood religion?
A: 56% maintain their original affiliation as adults.
Q: Why do most “nones” reject organized religion?
A: 78% believe morality works without it; 64% question teachings.
Q: How does childhood experience affect retention?
A: Positive experiences lead to 84% retention; negative ones yield 69% becoming nones.
Q: When does religious switching typically occur?
A: 85% switch by age 30, with 46% doing so as children or teens.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Who switches religions most often?
A1: Younger adults under 30 (45% switch or become nones) and Democrats show higher rates.
Q2: What boosts retention among Protestants?
A2: 70% cite strong belief in teachings as key.
Q3: Why do Jews often stay Jewish?
A3: Traditions (60%) and community (57%) top reasons.
Q4: Can childhood nones become religious later?
A4: 3% of U.S. adults were raised nones but now affiliate, often Republicans or older adults.
Q5: How was switching measured?
A5: Compared current vs. childhood religion; intra-Protestant shifts not counted as switches.
