The Contraception Mandate and Religious Liberty
On Feb. 1, 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed new rules that would exempt certain religious organizations from a new mandate to offer free contraception services to women employees.
As More Countries Regulate Wearing of Religious Symbols, European Court Decides Two UK Cases
The European Court of Human Rights today announced decisions on several high profile religious freedom cases involving the wearing of religious symbols. A recent study by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life found that regulation of religious attire has increased around the world.
The Global Religious Landscape
A comprehensive demographic study of more than 230 countries and territories estimates that 84% of the 2010 world population of 6.9 billion is religiously affiliated.
America’s ‘Mormon Moment’ is Over, and Public Opinion is Little Changed
Eight-in-ten Americans (82%) say they learned little or nothing about the Mormon religion during the presidential campaign. Three-in-ten Americans continue to consider the Mormon religion a non-Christian faith, though there appears to be some warming of attitudes toward Mormonism.
White Evangelical Voters Supported Romney
White evangelical Protestants voted as heavily for Republican candidate Mitt Romney as they did for the GOP candidates in 2008 and 2004, and they made up about the same share of the electorate as they did in the two previous elections.
Gay Marriage and Public Opinion
The Supreme Court decided Friday to review two same-sex marriage cases. Our research package examines public opinion and religious groups’ views on the issue over time, as well as legal angles.
Many Countries Penalize Blasphemy, Apostasy and Defamation of Religion
As of 2011 nearly half of the countries and territories in the world (47%) have laws or policies that penalize blasphemy, apostasy or religious defamation.
Religious Makeup of the New Congress
The newly elected, 113th Congress includes the first Buddhist to serve in the Senate, the first Hindu and the first member of Congress to describe her religion as “none,” continuing a gradual increase in religious diversity that mirrors the country as a whole.
How the Faithful Voted: 2012 Preliminary Analysis
Obama’s margin of victory was much smaller than in 2008 and he lost ground among white evangelical Protestants and white Catholics. But the basic religious contours of the 2012 electorate resemble recent elections.
The Gay Marriage Debate: Where It Stands
In recent years, the debate over same-sex marriage has grown from an issue that occasionally arose in a few states to a nationwide controversy. A special report by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life describes the various dimensions of the controversy.
