A new analysis from Deseret News examines how the growing entanglement of religion and politics may be reshaping American religious life — and pushing people away from organized faith altogether.

The separation of church and state — a principle grounded in the First Amendment — rests on the idea that government and religious institutions should remain independent of one another. But the analysis suggests that boundary is increasingly blurred: as religion becomes more closely intertwined with politics, Americans are distancing themselves from organized religion.

That trend raises a broader question about the future of church-state relations in the United States. If people are turning away from their faith because they increasingly associate religion with political agendas, is the politicization of religion now threatening the very principle designed to keep government and religious institutions separate?

Political views shaping religious affiliation

Researchers behind the analysis argue that political views increasingly influence which religious communities Americans join — and that some are opting out of religion entirely. Data from Pew Research Center show that white evangelical Protestant and white Catholic voters are the only religious groups favoring Republican candidates for the U.S. House in the 2026 midterm elections. All other religious groups either favor Democrats or are evenly split. How durable those alignments prove across future election cycles is one thread to follow.

Historically, political candidates have been open about their religious beliefs, often winning support from voters who share their faith, and religious values have frequently shaped political policies and arguments. That relationship, however, appears to be changing. More Americans are critical of candidates whom they believe use religion to advance their own political agendas rather than express genuine faith.

Congregations losing their bridging role

Churches were once a unifying force for most Americans. David Campbell, professor of American democracy at the University of Notre Dame, told Deseret News that churches are becoming more politically divided.

"The congregation is increasingly no longer a place where Republicans and Democrats come together," Campbell said.

In his view, candidates' religious rhetoric and affiliations have become a turn-off for many.

"Historically in the United States, religious leaders have always been involved in politics. That is nothing new. What is different today is that their involvement is so explicitly partisan," Campbell noted.

Partisanship emptying the pews

Campbell's research identifies politics as "a leading explanation" for the growing number of Americans who say they have no religious affiliation — a group often called the "nones," whose rise Pew Research Center has tracked across surveys for years. As churches and religious leaders align themselves with political parties or movements, people may begin to see religion as a political statement rather than a personal expression of faith. Those who disagree with their church's political views may feel disconnected from the religious community — even if they still consider themselves spiritual. The stakes reach beyond worship: congregations have long been among the places where Americans build community and civic ties.

The relationship between religion and politics may continue to shift as political views increasingly shape religious identity. Although some religious groups currently lean Republican while others favor Democratic candidates, Campbell cautioned that these political ties are not fixed.

"The funny thing about politics is that it's always a moving target," he said. "Things never stay the same."