Highlights from the Pew Research report “U.S. Public Becoming Less Religious.” There has been a modest drop in overall rates of belief in God and participation in religious practices. But religiously affiliated Americans are as observant as before.
Between 1996 and 2000, an average of 191 intentional fires were reported each year, accounting for 52% of all church fires. That average dropped to 74 intentional fires per year between 2010 and 2014, or 48% of all church fires.
Explore the geographic distribution and demographics of America's major religious groups.
The religious profile of the world is rapidly changing, driven primarily by differences in fertility rates and the size of youth populations among the world’s major religions, as well as by people switching faiths. This table details the estimated religious composition of 198 countries and territories for 2010 to 2050.
Pope Francis’ favorability rating among U.S. Catholics is comparable to ratings for Pope John Paul II in the 1980s and ’90s, and has surpassed any favorability rating for Pope Benedict XVI.
Among the world’s 25 most populous countries, Burma (Myanmar), Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan and Russia stand out as having the highest levels restrictions on religion (as of the end of 2013).
To date, courts, legislatures and voters have legalized gay marriage in 37 states and the District of Columbia, while 13 states have constitutional amendments banning gay marriage. This interactive shows the change in each state’s policy over time.
