Have you ever wondered what your religious neighbors, coworkers, and friends have in common? It’s a wild thought, especially when you see headlines about faith fading in America. While the landscape is definitely changing, belief remains a significant part of American life.
According to the latest comprehensive survey from the Pew Research Center, approximately 62% of U.S. adults identify as Christian. This figure has stabilized in recent years after a long period of decline. Meanwhile, about 29% are “nones”—people who are atheist, agnostic, or “nothing in particular.” But get this: a staggering 83% of Americans still believe in God or a universal spirit.
They tend to be more conscientious
You know that friend who is super organized, always on time, and never forgets a birthday? There’s a decent chance they’re a person of faith. One of the most consistent findings in the psychology of religion is the strong link between religiosity and conscientiousness.
A major study published in the journal Mental Health, Religion & Culture found a significant positive correlation between fundamental religious beliefs and conscientiousness. That’s the strongest link researchers found among the “Big Five” personality traits, which also include agreeableness, neuroticism, openness, and extraversion.
In simple terms, conscientious people are disciplined, careful, and reliable. As researcher Vassilis Saroglou has theorized, this connection might be a two-way street. Conscientious individuals may be drawn to religion because many faiths encourage self-discipline and self-control, making it easier for them to adhere to religious routines and norms.
They often score higher on agreeableness
Agreeableness is all about being cooperative, kind, warm, and considerate. It’s the trait that makes someone a great team player and a supportive friend. According to a substantial body of research, it’s a hallmark of many religious individuals.
Multiple studies have found a strong positive correlation between religious belief and agreeableness. Further research, such as that on ResearchGate, indicates that religiosity is explicitly linked to facets including altruism, compliance, and being tender-minded.
Why the connection? Experts suggest that “agreeable people may be particularly drawn to religious ideas and institutions because all major religions praise prosocial behavior.”. Consider foundational stories, such as the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Christianity, or concepts like Zakat (tithing) in Islam and Dharma in Hinduism—they all promote kindness and the act of helping others.
They may have greater emotional stability
Life throws curveballs, and we all experience worry, anxiety, or insecurity at times. In psychology, this tendency toward emotional volatility is referred to as neuroticism. Interestingly, faith acts as an anchor, helping people stay more emotionally stable.
Studies consistently show a significant negative correlation between religious belief and neuroticism. This means that as religiosity increases, neuroticism tends to decrease. People with stronger faith are often described as more relaxed, secure, and comfortable, while highly neurotic people are more prone to being worried and high-strung.
As the late theologian C.S. Lewis put it, “Faith… is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods”. This framework can provide immense comfort and stability when life feels chaotic and unpredictable.
They’re frequently more optimistic
Optimism isn’t just about seeing the glass as half-full; it’s a mindset that can dramatically impact how we handle life’s challenges. And it’s a quality that people of faith often have in abundance.
In a comprehensive review of the scientific literature, one researcher found that out of 32 studies on optimism and religion, 26 (a substantial 81%) reported a significant positive correlation between optimism and religion. In terms of hope, the results were similar, with 73% of studies finding a positive connection.
An optimist, as one text describes, “believes that setbacks are temporary and usually caused by circumstances… He is convinced that there is always some solution”. This mindset is a powerful buffer against despair.
For religious people, it often extends beyond mere optimism. The late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks drew a beautiful distinction: “Optimism is the belief that the world is changing for the better; hope is the belief that, together, we can make the world better”.
Also on MSN: 13 Popular Beliefs People Think Are in the Bible—but Aren’t
They report a stronger sense of purpose
“What’s the point of it all?” It’s a question that haunts many of us. For people of faith, religion often provides a ready-made and deeply comforting answer.
This is one of the most powerful links researchers have found. A review of 45 studies on the topic revealed that an incredible 93% found a significant positive relationship between religion or spirituality and a sense of meaning and purpose in life.
Barna Group, a research firm that studies faith and culture, found that 86% of “born again” Christians say they are “clear about the meaning and purpose of their life,” compared to 78% of other folks. The famous sociologist Émile Durkheim noted this a century ago, arguing that one of religion’s key functions is offering “meaning and purpose” during life’s tragedies.
This sense of purpose often reframes everyday life. It’s not just about what you do, your job, your hobbies, but why you do it. As Martin Luther King Jr. beautifully prayed, “Use me, God. Show me how to take who I am… and use it for a purpose greater than myself”. This shifts the focus from personal achievement to contributing to a higher calling, which can be a potent motivator.
They practice gratitude more regularly
Gratitude is more than just saying “thank you”; it’s a way of seeing the world that’s linked to numerous psychological benefits. It’s also a practice that lies at the heart of nearly every major world religion.
This spiritual emphasis on thankfulness translates into real-world attitudes. Research by ResearchGate has shown that activities such as frequent church attendance are associated with positive changes in gratitude over time. Another study directly compared a “religious gratitude group” with a “secular gratitude group” and found that the religious individuals reported “markedly higher gratitude and mental well-being.”
One reason for this might be that religion provides a specific object for gratitude, such as God or a higher power. This allows a person to feel thankful not just for the good things people do, but for life itself, for nature, or even for challenges that are seen as opportunities for growth.
They tend to be more resilient in adversity
When life gets tough, what helps people bounce back? For many, the answer is faith. Researchers have identified both personality and religiousness as key “predictors of sustained well-being in the face of adversity”.
Faith provides a powerful toolkit for coping. One of the key mechanisms is something psychologists call “cognitive reappraisal”, reframing an adverse event to see it in a more positive or meaningful light. A study from the University of Illinois found that people who used religious coping had lower levels of depression and anxiety, and that this positive effect was primarily explained by their ability to reappraise difficult situations.
Instead of seeing a tragedy as a random, meaningless event, a person of faith might view it as a test, a lesson, or part of a larger divine plan that’s hard to understand in the moment.
They are often more forgiving
Forgiveness is tough. It’s one of the hardest things we’re asked to do as humans. But it’s a central command in many religions, and the data suggests that people of faith are, on the whole, more inclined to practice it.
Numerous studies have found that religious belief is associated with higher levels of prosocial behavior, including forgiveness. One study, for instance, found that religious groups scored “significantly higher” on their attitudes toward forgiveness than a secular group did. Another found that Christian participants reported more positive feelings and actions toward someone who had wronged them.
For many believers, forgiveness isn’t just a nice idea for their own mental health; it’s a divine mandate. As C.S. Lewis famously said, “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you”. This belief provides a powerful motivation that can override feelings of anger and resentment.
They are more likely to be generous with time and money
When it comes to charity, people of faith make a significant impact. They are consistently among the most generous Americans, both with their wallets and their time.
Let’s start with volunteering. According to data from the Ellis Archive, religious organizations are the most popular place to volunteer, with 35% of Americans devoting the majority of their volunteer hours there. A 2021 Gallup poll confirmed this, finding that 35% of Americans had volunteered for a religious organization in the past year.
The same pattern holds for financial giving. While giving directly to religious institutions has declined as a share of total philanthropy, religious participation remains a key predictor of generosity overall. Research from the Pew Research Center found that nearly 62% of households that regularly attend worship services give to charities of all kinds, compared to just 45% of households that are not affiliated with any religion.
This suggests that religious institutions act as a kind of “infrastructure of generosity.” They don’t just inspire people to give; they provide the structure, opportunities, and social reinforcement that make giving a regular part of life.
They build strong community bonds
In our increasingly isolated world, the power of community can’t be overstated. For millions of Americans, religious congregations are the most critical source of community.
Sociologists have known this for over a century. The founding father of the field, Émile Durkheim, defined religion as a system that unites people into a “single moral community.” Today, more than 80% of Americans still agree that churches and other religious organizations “bring people together and strengthen community bonds”.
This isn’t just a feeling; it translates into action. Actively religious people are far more likely to be involved in other community groups as well. According to Pew Research, 58% of actively religious adults in the U.S. also volunteer for at least one nonreligious organization, compared to just 39% of the unaffiliated.
This social connection is what scholars call “social capital,” and it might be the secret ingredient behind many of faith’s other benefits. As author and pastor Wayne Muller says, “We are called to be strong companions… we need the nourishing company of others to create the circle needed for growth, freedom and healing”.
They place a high value on family
For many people of faith, family isn’t just important, it’s sacred. It’s seen as the fundamental building block of society and the primary place where faith and values are passed down through generations.
The data shows a deep sense of parental responsibility. A Barna Group study found that a massive 85% of parents believe they have the primary duty for the spiritual education of their children. Thirty-six pastors overwhelmingly agree, with 99% of Protestant leaders stating that parents are the number one influence on a child’s faith.
This focus on family is reflected in life’s priorities. When Barna asked Americans what their top priority in life was, “having a satisfying family life” was the top answer for 44% of people—more than double the next choice, which was living out their faith (18%).
However, there’s a modern challenge. Pew Research has noted that the “stickiness of a religious upbringing seems to be declining”. This means that while parents still deeply value passing on their faith, it’s becoming harder to do so in an increasingly secular culture, creating a central tension for modern families of faith.
They often practice humility
In a culture that often celebrates self-promotion, humility can feel like a lost art. But in most of the world’s religions, it’s considered a foundational virtue, a right-sized view of oneself in relation to God and others.
Many believers internalize this value. One study found that religious participants were more likely to describe themselves as humble than nonreligious participants were. This makes sense, as humility is a core teaching in traditions from Christianity to Buddhism.
But here’s a fascinating twist. Critics sometimes argue that the emphasis on humility in religion could lead to low self-esteem. The research, however, shows the opposite. According to the National Institutes of Health, a review of 69 studies found that 61% of them actually reported greater self-esteem among more religious people.
This suggests that religious humility isn’t about thinking you’re worthless. It’s about decentering the self. As Pastor Rick Warren famously put it, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.”
They are more likely to be extroverted
This one may seem surprising, but the social nature of most religions attracts and cultivates extraverted personalities. If your faith involves weekly services, small groups, and community potlucks, it helps to be a people person.
The data shows a clear, positive link between religious belief and extraversion. But it’s a specific flavor of extraversion. When psychologists break down the trait, they find that religiosity is connected to sub-traits like “warmth” and “positive emotions,” but not to “excitement-seeking” or “assertiveness.”
The “extraversion” of religious people is often a community-oriented version of the trait. It’s less about being the life of the party and more about being a warm, welcoming presence who helps weave the social fabric of their congregation.
They find meaning in rituals and traditions
From daily prayer to weekly services to annual holidays, rituals are the heartbeat of religious life. For believers, these aren’t just empty habits; they are powerful, meaning-packed actions that connect them to their community, their history, and the divine.
Rituals are a universal feature of religion. In the U.S. today, 44% of adults pray at least once a day, and a third attend religious services every month. As sociologist Émile Durkheim observed, these collective rituals work to “recreate certain mental states” that bring people together and unify them.
Modern science is now showing us how. Dr. Michael Norton of Harvard Business School explains that rituals have real psychological and even physiological effects. The act of chanting or praying can actually slow your breathing and heart rate, sending a signal to your brain that you’re in a safe environment, which makes it easier to connect with others.
They report higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction
When you add it all up—stronger community, a sense of purpose, optimism, resilience—it’s not surprising that it often leads to a greater sense of overall well-being. This is perhaps the most well-known and well-studied trait of all.
There’s a clear “happiness gap” in the United States. According to Pew Research, 36% of actively religious Americans describe themselves as “very happy,” compared to just 25% of those who are religiously inactive or unaffiliated. This pattern holds in about half of all the countries Pew has surveyed.
This happiness is likely not a direct result of belief alone. It is the cumulative effect of all the other traits on this list. The social support from a strong community, the psychological comfort of a meaningful purpose, and the prosocial satisfaction of helping others all combine to create a life with a higher baseline of contentment and joy.
Key Takeaway
So, what’s the bottom line? While faith is deeply personal and incredibly diverse, science reveals some fascinating commonalities.
- A Distinct Personality Profile: Religious belief is consistently linked with being more conscientious, agreeable, and emotionally stable.
- A Prosocial Orientation: People of faith are, on average, more likely to be generous with their time and money, more forgiving, and more active in building their communities.
- A Toolkit for Well-Being: Faith often provides powerful psychological resources, including a strong sense of purpose, hope, resilience, and gratitude, which can lead to higher reported levels of happiness.
- The Power of Belonging: Above all, the social aspect of faith—the community, the rituals, the shared identity—appears to be a powerful driver for many of these positive outcomes. It’s not just about what you believe, but who you belong with.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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