The financial dilemma that wound up helping US churches thrive

American churches could not rely on the state for financial support. Private philanthropy helped them survive – and shaped the country’s religious diversity today.

By: Thomas Adam, University of Arkansas, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: August 4, 2026

Words: 938

Last Updated: 2 weeks ago

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By Thomas Adam, University of Arkansas

By many measures, Americans are growing less religious: Since 2007, for example, the percentage of people who pray daily has dropped, while the “unaffiliated” have grown to 29%. But those numbers can distract from just how much faith still matters in American public life – much more so than in Western Europe, despite its similar religious roots.

About two-thirds of Americans consider religion “somewhat” or “very” important, compared …

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