Most Christian American religious leaders silently believe in climate change, and informing their congregation can help open dialogue.

ABSTRACT: Religious leaders shape the attitudes and beliefs of their congregations. In a nationally representative sample of U.S. religious leaders (N = 1,600), the majority of which were of a Christian faith, we find that nearly 90% believe in anthropogenic climate change to some degree. From this 90%, a total of 60% believe humans play a major role and an additional 30% believe they play a role, but a more minor one. Yet roughly half have never discussed it with their congregation, and only a quarter have mentioned it more than once or twice. In a sample of Christian Americans representative of the proportions of major national denominations (N = 987), we find that Christians underestimate the prevalence of their leaders who believe in climate change by 39 to 45 percentage points. Co

SUBMITTER: Syropoulos S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12002303 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature