What is the religious affiliation of the USA Supreme Court?

The United States Supreme Court, as the highest judicial authority in the country, plays a pivotal role in interpreting the Constitution and shaping the nation’s laws. The justices who serve on the Court are appointed for life, and their backgrounds, philosophies, and personal beliefs often become topics of public interest and debate. Among the many facets of their identities, the religious affiliations of the Supreme Court justices have drawn particular attention over the years.

The Historical Religious Landscape of the Supreme Court

When the Supreme Court was first established in 1789, the majority of its justices, much like the broader American political class, were affiliated with Protestant Christian denominations. The early years saw justices from backgrounds such as Episcopalian, Presbyterian, and Congregationalist, reflecting the dominant religious demographics of the time. For much of the 19th and early 20th centuries, Protestantism remained the norm among Supreme Court justices.

However, the Court’s composition slowly began to diversify, mirroring broader social changes in American society. In 1836, Roger B. Taney became the first Catholic justice, breaking a longstanding Protestant monopoly. The first Jewish justice, Louis Brandeis, was appointed in 1916. Despite these milestones, religious diversity on the Court remained the exception rather than the rule for much of its history.

Modern Religious Diversity

In recent decades, the religious composition of the Supreme Court has shifted in ways that would have been surprising to earlier generations. Starting in the late 20th century and extending into the 21st, the Court has often included a majority of justices who are Catholic or Jewish, with Protestant representation becoming less common. This trend is particularly notable given that Protestants still constitute the largest single religious group in the United States as a whole.

For example, for several years in the 2010s, there were no Protestant justices on the Court—a remarkable departure from historical norms. Instead, six of the nine justices at that time were Catholic, and three were Jewish. This religious makeup was not the result of any explicit policy or quota, but rather the outcome of the nomination and confirmation process, which focuses on legal competence, judicial philosophy, and political considerations rather than religious background.

The Current Religious Affiliations of the Supreme Court

As of 2025, the religious affiliations of the nine sitting Supreme Court justices are as follows (subject to change as new appointments are made):

1. John Roberts (Chief Justice) – Catholic
2. Clarence Thomas – Catholic
3. Samuel Alito – Catholic
4. Sonia Sotomayor – Catholic (raised Catholic, sometimes described as a "cultural Catholic")
5. Brett Kavanaugh – Catholic
6. Amy Coney Barrett – Catholic
7. Neil Gorsuch – Raised Catholic, attends Episcopal services
8. Elena Kagan – Jewish
9. Ketanji Brown Jackson – Protestant (nondenominational)

It is worth noting that religious affiliation can be a complex and personal matter, and not all justices may emphasize or practice their faith in the same way. For instance, Neil Gorsuch was raised Catholic but has attended an Episcopal church for much of his adult life, leading some sources to describe him as Episcopalian rather than Catholic.

Trends and Notable Shifts

From 2010 to 2016, the Court did not have a single Protestant justice for the first time in its history. This trend shifted slightly with the appointment of Ketanji Brown Jackson in 2022, who identifies as Protestant, restoring some representation of America’s largest religious group. Nevertheless, Catholic and Jewish justices have continued to hold a majority.

Does Religious Affiliation Matter in Supreme Court Decisions?

A common question arises: does the religious affiliation of Supreme Court justices influence their decisions? While justices, like all individuals, are shaped by their backgrounds and beliefs, the prevailing consensus among scholars is that judicial philosophy, legal training, and interpretative approach are far more significant factors in determining Supreme Court decisions than religious affiliation.

The Nomination Process and Religious Identity

The U.S. Constitution prohibits religious tests for public office, stating in Article VI, "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States." In modern times, the religious background of Supreme Court nominees is rarely a central topic in confirmation hearings, unless it is perceived as relevant to the nominee’s judicial temperament or potential conflicts of interest.

That said, the religious affiliations of nominees sometimes enter public discourse, particularly when they are perceived as potentially influencing decisions on high-profile moral or ethical issues. The nomination of Amy Coney Barrett in 2020, for example, brought attention to her Catholic faith and membership in a charismatic Christian community. Nevertheless, the official focus of Senate confirmation hearings remains on professional qualifications and constitutional interpretation.

Religious Affiliation and Public Perception

Polls and studies suggest that most Americans are less concerned with the specific religious identity of justices than with their perceived fairness, integrity, and respect for the Constitution. Nevertheless, in a nation where religious identity remains an important aspect of social and political life, the religious backgrounds of those who serve on the highest court will likely continue to attract interest.

Religious Diversity and the Broader Judiciary

While the Supreme Court is the most visible symbol of the federal judiciary, it is worth noting that religious diversity is more pronounced among lower federal courts and state courts. Judges from a wide range of religious backgrounds—including Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and others—serve at all levels of the judicial system. This reflects the pluralistic nature of American society and the ongoing commitment to the principle that there is no religious test for public office.