George Barna: Survey Reveals Significant Shifts in Faith Allegiance and Growing Confusion about Moral Truth

 

Thursday, May 1, 2025

 

Dear _____________,
The latest American Worldview Inventory 2025 reveals sobering realities about the spiritual health of our nation. Millions of Americans are abandoning Christian faith, while a growing majority rejects the existence of absolute moral truth. These findings signal a deepening crisis—but they also point to powerful opportunities for renewal and restoration.

Can America rediscover the unchanging truth of God’s Word?

Our research highlights several critical trends shaping today’s cultural landscape:

  • Christian affiliation is shrinking. In just five years, the share of adults identifying as Christian fell from 72% to 66%—a loss of about 15 million adults.
  • Non-Christian faiths and “no-faith” segments are growing. Buddhism grew by 56%, Judaism by 21%, Islam by 12%, and the no-faith population now outnumbers Catholics.
  • Moral relativism dominates. Two-thirds of Americans (66%) deny the existence of absolute moral truth. And even a majority within the Church reject absolute truth.
  • Feelings are now the leading guide to moral decisions. Three-quarters of Americans (74%) rely primarily on emotions to determine right and wrong.
  • The Bible is no longer the default source of truth. Less than one in five adults (18%) consistently turn to Scripture for moral and spiritual guidance.

As I explain in the report, there is little predictability to the moral choices people make because so few Americans share a common understanding of truth. When individuals rely primarily on personal feelings or shifting cultural norms to define right and wrong, society loses the moral anchor necessary for stability and flourishing.

Unsurprisingly, the growing prevalence of Syncretism—the blending of conflicting worldviews—is a major driver of these shifts. As Americans prioritize personal preference over biblical truth, spiritual foundations weaken, contributing to the decline of Christianity and the widespread rejection of absolute moral truth.

These are sobering findings. Yet there is great hope in rebuilding America on the foundation of biblical truth.

We have a clear path forward. By consistently teaching, modeling, and reinforcing God’s truth—in our homes, churches, and schools—we can help Americans rediscover the unchanging foundation they desperately need.

And this important work starts with each of us, as we intentionally place God and His Word at the center of our thinking and lovingly encourage those around us to do the same.

Cultural change is possible, but it will happen one heart, one mind, and one family at a time.

Thank you for standing with us at the Cultural Research Center. Your faithful support makes it possible for us to research these trends, sound the alarm, and equip believers with the insights needed to lead cultural and spiritual restoration.

Blessings,

George Barna

Director of Research, Cultural Research Center
Faculty, Arizona Christian University

P.S. You can read the full report, American Worldview 2025 – Report #5: “Survey Reveals Significant Shifts in Faith Allegiance and Growing Confusion about Moral Truth,” here.