Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Read our research on:
1. Americans’ experiences with virtual religious services
Two-thirds of adults who regularly watch religious services virtually are satisfied with the experience
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- 1. Americans’ experiences with virtual religious services
- 27% of U.S. adults say they recently watched religious services on screens or typically do so at least monthly; 33% say the same about attending in person
- Most regular viewers of religious services began watching virtually prior to the COVID-19 pandemic
- A quarter of U.S. adults who regularly watch religious services online or on TV cite COVID-19 as major reason for doing so
- 39% of those who watch religious services on screens say they usually participate physically in similar ways as they would in person
- About half of Americans who regularly watch virtual religious services say they watch by themselves
- 25% of those who regularly watch religious services online say they feel like active participants
- Two-thirds of adults who regularly watch religious services virtually are satisfied with the experience
- About two-thirds of regular watchers of virtual religious services are highly satisfied with the sermons
- Protestants in the historically Black tradition are especially likely to be satisfied with music at virtual services
- Virtual watchers of religious services feel far less connected with others than do in-person attenders
- Among those who regularly attend services in person and watch them online, large majority prefer in-person attendance
- Nearly four-in-ten regular viewers of religious services say they tune in to more than one congregation
- A third of regular viewers of virtual religious services only stream services from outside their local area
- About four-in-ten U.S. adults who regularly watch virtual religious services watch congregations aside from one they attend in person