New data shows young men are showing renewed interest in religion. A Gallup poll cited by CBS News found 42% of men ages 18 to 29 said religion was “very important” to them in 2024 and 2025, up from 28% in the previous two years. By contrast, 29% of young women said religion was very important, down from 32%.
The renewed focus on religion prompted CBS News to ask Roland Fryer, a Harvard economics professor and CBS News contributor, about a Wall Street Journal op‑ed he wrote arguing that religions succeed when they demand more of their members. Fryer said higher barriers to entry make membership more valuable because they create stronger mutual assurance: people who invest more in a religious community are more likely to provide support in times of need.
Fryer described religious commitment as a form of mutual insurance — the more a group requires of its members, the more dependable the network becomes. He pointed to a puzzling historical finding that when the Catholic Church lowered barriers to entry, overall participation declined rather than rose, which he interprets as consistent with his theory about commitment and value.
On broader social and economic effects, Fryer referenced research by colleagues at Harvard that examined belief and economic growth across about 60 countries. Their results suggested belief in heaven correlates with economic growth. They also found that attendance alone — “sitting in the pew” — was less predictive of economic growth than the behaviors and attitudes associated with belief, such as honesty, integrity and commitment among workers.
Asked why younger men may be turning back to religion, Fryer pointed to online life and isolation. He said younger adults spend much of their time online and are among the loneliest generations, so it is not surprising that some are seeking community and commitments that religious groups can provide.
Fryer was also asked about a recent public exchange between President Trump and Pope Leo — which he said was notable as a rare public clash between a sitting U.S. president and a sitting pope. He added he wasn’t surprised controversies involving the president gained wide attention.
Fryer concluded that demanding religions, by effectively screening for commitment, can create tighter, more valuable communities that offer mutual support and shape behaviors with broader social and economic consequences.