The Public Religion Research Institute's 2026 American Values Survey reveals that white evangelical Protestants uniquely perceive empathy as potentially dangerous, with 54% agreeing it can lead away from a society based on God's truth. In contrast, other religious groups, including 83% of religiously unaffiliated Americans, endorse empathy as a foundational moral value. The survey also shows a partisan divide, with 84% of Democrats supporting empathy's foundational value compared to 54% of Republicans. Conducted from August 20 to September 7, 2026, the survey included 5,200 adults across the U.S.
Key facts
- 54% of white evangelicals believe empathy can be dangerous.
- 42% of white evangelicals agree empathy is a foundational moral value.
- 83% of religiously unaffiliated Americans endorse empathy's foundational value.
- The survey included 5,200 adults across all 50 states.
- Margin of error for the survey is ±1.6 percentage points.
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