In this guide, we break down five storylines to explore how religion shapes—and is shaped by—the political landscape in the months ahead.

This guide is designed to help reporters write religion stories for the United States Semiquincentennial celebrations in July 2026.

Peter J. Thuesen is professor of religious studies and adjunct professor of American studies at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, co-editor of Religion and American Culture: A Journal of Interpretation and director of humanities research in the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture. He is the author of Tornado God: American Religion and Violent Weather.