14% of U.S. adults strongly embrace Christian nationalism, new survey finds

The share of Americans who strongly embrace Christian nationalism has dipped to 14%, according to a new analysis of national survey data. The figures come from the Charles F. Kettering Foundation and Gallup’s annual poll of more than 23,000 adults. While strong support has edged down, the ideology continues to shape political rhetoric and voter motivation ahead of the November elections.

Christian nationalism is defined as the belief that Christianity defines the nation and that the government should actively preserve that status. Andrew Whitehead, a sociology professor at Indiana University Indianapolis and a research fellow at the Kettering Foundation, noted that the data reveals how voters conceptualize democracy. Just over 16% of the population is at least sympathetic to the movement, while the remaining 70% resist or reject it.

Demographic breakdowns show where the support concentrates. Among white Americans, 31% are at least sympathetic to Christian nationalism. Men are more likely to hold these views than women, with one-third of men and 28% of women expressing sympathy. Political affiliation is a stronger predictor than gender or race. More than half of Republicans, specifically 55%, either strongly embrace or sympathize with Christian nationalism.

Whitehead explained that believers and rejectors of the ideology view the state of American democracy in opposite ways. Those who strongly embrace Christian nationalism currently report that democracy is functioning well. In contrast, very few Americans who reject the ideology believe democracy is doing well or even adequately. The group that rejects Christian nationalism feels more threatened by current political conditions than the group that embraces it.

This divergence in perception is driving voter turnout. Whitehead said the nearly 70% of respondents who reject Christian nationalism are highly motivated to vote in the upcoming midterms. Their primary goal is for Congress to check the power of the executive branch. Whitehead noted this check has been absent during the first two years of the Trump administration.

Religion remains a visible part of the campaign, particularly on the Republican side. It is far more common for Republican candidates to combine religious and political messaging. However, five Democrats running for Congress this cycle are clergy or in training to become clergy. Their presence highlights how both parties are engaging religious voters in the race for House and Senate seats.

The next step for these candidates is the general election on November 3. Voters will head to the polls to select members of the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate. The outcome will determine which party controls the legislative branch and how it responds to the executive branch for the next two years.