Cult Classics: Exploring Religion Today
Publication Date
Spring 2026
Presentation Length
Poster/Gallery presentation
College
College of Sciences & Mathematics
Department
Psychological Science, Department of
Student Level
Undergraduate
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Adam Smiley
Metadata/Fulltext
Metadata ONLY
Presentation Type
Poster
Summary
The human person is most fulfilled when seeking truth, happiness, and love. Religion (which means “to bind”) can be seen as the fullest venture into these, as it is the only institution which gives reference to that which is beyond this human life. In the United States, religion is on the rise, with approximately 60% of American young people valuing religion as something important in their lives, 50% regularly attending religious services, and many Americans reporting an affiliation with a specific religion (Wallace). It is essential to keep in mind that rise of religious life is not singularly faceted, and must be understood as having many factors at play (Sharaf et al. 1). In this study, I seek to research the religions which are most popular in the United States, and the factors correlated with them. I will not be looking at religions that are rising exponentially, but rather, religions that are most prominent. I look at data collected in 2024 on most present religions (or lack thereof), as well as the ways of practicing religious faith, marital status, domestic partnership status, highest level of education, occupation status, race/ethnicity, sex, gender, and sexual orientation. I hypothesize that the most prominent religion today will be Christianity; I also hypothesize that agnosticism will be rated second most high as a way of life in the United States.
Recommended Citation
Villarreal, Alvaro, "Cult Classics: Exploring Religion Today" (2026). SPARK Symposium Presentations. 778.
https://repository.belmont.edu/spark_presentations/778
