Why government support for religion doesn’t necessarily make people more religious

In July 2025, the IRS moved to give religious congregations more freedom to endorse political candidates without risking their tax-exempt status. Supporters see this as a way to strengthen faith’s public role, but historical and global evidence suggests government involvement can actually weaken religious participation and trust. Examples from Israel, post-Soviet states, and Europe show that when the state favors certain faiths, it often reduces diversity and engagement rather than bolstering them.

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This article was published in The Conversation on July 28, 2025, and was written by Brendan Szendro.