Skeptic Research Center Survey Reveals 14-Point Gap in Christian Identification Amid Heightened Political Tensions

New data from the Skeptic Research Center indicates a significant but not overwhelming difference in Christian identification between Republicans and Democrats, alongside findings on the personal importance of religion. This survey, highlighted by Michael Shermer, arrives amidst a period of heightened political polarization, notably following the recent murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Shermer’s tweet introduced the findings by stating, "> Since the murder of Charlie Kirk & other left-wing violence, a common explanation in right-wing media is that most Republicans are religious and most Democrats are not."

The survey, conducted in September 2023 with a nationally representative sample of 2,000 U.S. adults, found that 69% of Republicans identify as Christian, encompassing both Protestant and Catholic affiliations. In contrast, 55% of Democrats also identify as Christian. This represents a 14-percentage-point difference between the two major political groups, challenging common assumptions about a vast religious chasm.

Further insights from the research reveal differing levels of religious importance among partisans. Fewer than half of Republicans, specifically 45.9%, reported that religion is "very important" in their daily life. This figure stands in contrast to 26.5% of Democrats who shared the same sentiment regarding the daily importance of religion.

The context for Shermer's tweet stems from the recent murder of Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, who was fatally shot in September 2025 while speaking at Utah Valley University. The incident led to the arrest of Tyler Robinson, who faces aggravated murder charges, and has intensified national discussions around political violence and its impact on public figures and discourse.

The Skeptic Research Center's report, titled "Religion and Politics: The Data," aims to provide empirical evidence to inform discussions surrounding the intersection of faith and political affiliation in the United States. These statistics offer a nuanced perspective on the religious composition and attitudes within American political parties, suggesting that while differences exist, the landscape is more complex than often portrayed in partisan media.