Most U.S. Protestant churchgoers (71%) say they have friends with different religious beliefs. That’s according to a Lifeway Research study. Around 2 in 5 say they have agnostic (44%), Jewish (41%) or atheist friends (39%). More than a quarter (28%) have Muslim friends. Around 1 in 10 report having Buddhist (11%) and Hindu (11%) friends. Only 1 in 5 (18%) say they don’t have friends from any of these categories.
Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research said, “Most Christian churchgoers do not live in a religious bubble. They have friends who are not Christians and have talked about faith enough to know what type of religious beliefs they have.”
He added, “Those with evangelical beliefs strongly agree it is very important that they personally encourage non-Christians to trust Jesus Christ as their Savior …Either they are sharing the gospel with people in these groups, or they are not being proactive in their convictions.”
In general, churchgoers who are younger, male and have additional formal education are more likely to have relationships beyond their faith background.
Where churchgoers live also plays a role in their friendships. Those in the Northeast are among the most likely to have Jewish (50%), Muslim (38%) and Hindu friends (17%).
The church you attend also plays a role. Those attending a non-denominational congregation are among most likely to have friends from several other religious groups. Presbyterian/Reformed churchgoers are among most likely to have Jewish (54%) and Muslim friends (35%).