Diwali, Hindu festival of lights, is celebrated by more than just Hindus
This week marks Diwali, the annual Hindu festival of lights. In the U.S., seven-in-ten Indian Americans say they celebrate the holiday.
Americans of all ages divided over doctor-assisted suicide laws
Brittany Maynard, a 29-year-old woman with terminal brain cancer, has gone public with her plans to take her own life. Most Americans say there are circumstances in which a patient should be allowed to die, but the public is split on laws about doctor-assisted suicide.
Middle Easterners See Religious and Ethnic Hatred as Top Global Threat
People across the globe see the threat of religious and ethnic violence as a growing threat to the world’s future, with concern especially strong in the Middle East.
What is the greatest threat to the world? Depends on where you live
Prior to the most recent Ebola outbreak in the western parts of the continent, a median of 32% across the seven African nations polled feared infectious disease as the top danger. In the Middle East, the top danger is ethnic and religious hatred.
Vatican synod on family highlights discord between church teachings and U.S. Catholics’ views
A Vatican synod on the family comes at a time when most American Catholics say they disagree with their church’s teachings on issues such as birth control and divorce.
National Congregations Study finds more church acceptance of gays and lesbians
A new survey of American religious congregations finds that in recent years, more churches have become welcoming to openly gay and lesbian couples.
Is religion’s declining influence good or bad? Those without religious affiliation are divided
Atheists, agnostics and people who have no religion in particular may be growing in number in the United States, but they are not uniformly against religion having a role in society.
Public Sees Religion’s Influence Waning
Nearly three-quarters of Americans now think religion is losing influence in American life, and most who say this also see it as a bad thing. Perhaps as a consequence, a growing share of the public wants religion to play a role in U.S. politics.
In some European countries, church membership means paying more taxes
Are government church taxes causing Germans to leave the church?
The divide over ordaining women
Only 11% of American congregations were led by women in 2012, according to press reports of an upcoming National Congregations Study survey. That figure hasn’t changed since 1998.
