A Journal of Analysis and News
By Anbound
By Chen Li
The religious ecosystem in the United States operates within the constitutional framework established by the U.S. Constitution. Religious organizations not only maintain vitality through market-like competition but also remain transparent under legal oversight and public scrutiny. According to the Pew Research Center’s 2023–24 Religious Landscape Study, about 62% of the U.S. population identifies as Christian. Although this proportion has gradually declined, religion continues to play a significant role in American social life.
The religious landscape of the United States is deeply rooted in its immigration history. In 1620, the Pilgrims arrived in the New World aboard the Mayflower. The Mayflower Compact became one of the earliest documents of self-governance in North America, reflecting the ideal of autonomy based on shared religious principles. Religious thought subsequently had a profound influence on the founding of the nation. The Declaration of Independence (1776) proclaimed that all men are endowed by their “Creator” with “unalienable Rights”. The term “Creator” embodies the influence of both Enlightenment philosophy and Christian natural theology. After the country’s founding, the First Amendment to the Bill of Rights (1791) explicitly prohibited the establishment of a national religion and guaranteed freedom of religious practice, enshrining the separation of church and state. Among the Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson emphasized that religion should thrive through free competition rather than rely on state privilege.
Within this institutional framework, religious groups have profoundly influenced nearly every aspect of American society. In the 1960s, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist minister, led the African American civil rights movement under the banner of nonviolence. Many rallies were held in churches, which served as organizational hubs and sources of moral strength. Religious groups have also played vital roles in the development of charitable and educational institutions. Numerous prominent universities and hospitals were either founded or financially supported by churches. Today, the Catholic Church operates a nationwide hospital network that provides care for roughly one-sixth of all inpatient admissions. Religion in the U.S., therefore, extends beyond private belief; indeed, it is a public force that contributes to social advancement.
Even today, religious influence remains deeply embedded in American political culture. Every U.S. president traditionally takes the oath of office with a hand on the Bible, reflecting the enduring symbolic power of religion. Yet, constitutional safeguards ensure that religious influence does not undermine the authority of the state. Instead, it functions as a form of moral capital. As a result, since the nation’s founding, the U.S. religious landscape has avoided monopolization, maintained vitality, and fostered an open and pluralistic environment.
Although predominantly Christian, the U.S. exhibits remarkable internal diversity. This diversity stems largely from doctrinal differences that have developed since the Reformation in the 16th century—such as disputes over baptism and infant baptism—that led to numerous denominational splits. According to the Pew Research Center, the United States is home to over 200 Christian denominations, a level of variety rarely seen elsewhere.
Roughly two-thirds of Americans identify as Christian. Within this group, Protestants form the largest branch, accounting for about 40% of the population, followed by Catholics, who number around 50 million (approximately 19% of the population), making the Roman Catholic Church the largest single Christian body in the country. Among Protestant groups, the Southern Baptist Convention is the largest, with over 16 million baptized members at its peak, maintaining strong influence in the southern states, where its emphasis on believer’s baptism is particularly pronounced. Methodist denominations, such as the United Methodist Church, long part of the “mainstream Protestant” tradition, also count millions of adherents nationwide, comprising about 2% of the population. Other major Protestant denominations—Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Episcopal—each have millions of members. Catholicism, meanwhile, expanded rapidly in the 19th century due to mass immigration and today encompasses believers of all ethnic backgrounds. With over 170 dioceses and approximately 22,000 churches nationwide, the Catholic Church remains a foundational component of American religious life.
Beyond mainstream Christianity, the U.S. has also given rise to various new religious movements. Among those emerging in the 19th century, the most prominent is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), or Mormonism. Founded in New England in the 1830s, the movement grew rapidly as its adherents migrated westward, ultimately settling in Utah. Today, the Church claims more than 16 million members worldwide, about half of whom reside in the United States—roughly 1% of the national population. With its distinctive doctrines and highly centralized structure, headquartered in Salt Lake City, the LDS Church has often been compared to a “modern multinational corporation.” Its successes in business, education, and philanthropy have made it one of the most influential indigenous religious movements in the American context.
The economic operations of religious organizations in the U.S. are primarily based on voluntary donations and governed by nonprofit principles. Most churches rely on contributions from members—through weekly offerings, special donations, and tithes—to fund daily operations and charitable activities. Many conservative denominations encourage or require members to tithe 10% of their income. For example, the LDS Church mandates tithing from eligible members, raising approximately USD 7 billion annually. These funds support religious and charitable programs, as well as education and welfare initiatives. The LDS Church also manages substantial assets through Ensign Peak Advisors, a professional investment firm established in 1997. Conservative estimates place the firm’s reserve fund at over USD 100 billion, accumulated through decades of tithes and investment returns. This fund is intended to sustain long-term welfare projects and serve as a financial reserve for future emergencies.
Legally, most religious organizations in the U.S. are registered as 501(c)(3) nonprofits and enjoy tax-exempt status. They are, however, subject to regulations that prohibit the use of funds for personal gain or non-religious purposes. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and state charity regulators have oversight authority and may revoke tax-exempt status in cases of financial misconduct. Although churches are exempt from filing the Form 990—the detailed annual financial disclosure required of other nonprofits—many voluntarily publish summaries of income and expenditures or conduct independent audits to maintain transparency and public trust. Large denominations also implement internal accountability mechanisms: Catholic parishes report fundraising use to parish councils, while Protestant congregations often require budget approval by members. This multi-layered system of oversight, reinforced by a cultural expectation of transparency, helps guard against corruption and mismanagement.
American history has nonetheless witnessed occasional scandals involving religious leaders, including instances of financial and sexual misconduct. Notably, some televangelists have been exposed for embezzling donations to fund lavish lifestyles. However, such cases typically provoke swift public and media scrutiny, leading to corrective reforms, increased awareness, and higher standards of transparency within religious institutions. Overall, religious finances in the U.S. tend to operate within a virtuous cycle—“living within one’s means, taking from believers, and giving back to believers.” Supported by robust financial oversight and ethical norms, this system helps maintain trust and integrity within faith communities.
All in all, American religion, protected by constitutional freedoms and shaped by market-based dynamics, demonstrates openness, diversity, and transparency. Religious funding operates according to voluntary principles and standardized management models that effectively limit corruption and the monetization of faith. Although challenges and controversies persist, the U.S. institutional environment has largely succeeded in preventing the systemic problems that foster corruption, ensuring that religion continues to function as a positive moral and social force.
Anbound Consulting (Anbound) is an independent Think Tank with the headquarter based in Beijing. Established in 1993, Anbound specializes in public policy research, and enjoys a professional reputation in the areas of strategic forecasting, policy solutions and risk analysis. Anbound’s research findings are widely recognized and create a deep interest within public media, academics and experts who are also providing consulting service to the State Council of China.
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