--- title: "Religion and the Presidency" description: "On Jan. 20, 2009, Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. The Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life has assembled a variety of resources on religion and the presidency, including reports, event transcripts, polling data and a graphic featuring the religious affiliations of U.S. presidents […]" date: "2009-01-15" authors: - name: "Benjamin Wormald" job_title: "Senior Engineer" link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/benjamin-wormald/" url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2009/01/15/publicationpage-aspxid1127/" categories: - "Barack Obama" - "Leaders" - "Religion" --- # Religion and the Presidency On Jan. 20, 2009, Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. The Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life has assembled a variety of resources on religion and the presidency, including reports, event transcripts, polling data and a graphic featuring the religious affiliations of U.S. presidents past and present. Graphic[ The Religious Affiliations of U.S. Presidents](/docs/?DocID=386) Jan. 15, 2009 Nearly half the nation's presidents have been affiliated with the Episcopal or Presbyterian churches. John F. Kennedy remains the only Catholic to have held the nation's highest office. Event[ ](/docs/?DocID=386)[Religion and Race: A Historical and Contemporary Perspective](/events/?EventID=210) Dec. 8, 2008 As part of his Pew Forum discussion on religion and race in America, Eddie S. Glaude of Princeton University spoke about the challenges President-elect Obama might face when he takes office. Profile [Barack Obama](/religion08/profile.php?CandidateID=4) Nov. 6, 2008 The Pew Forum's profile of President-elect Obama includes an in-depth religious biography, Obama's positions on values-laden issues and more. Profile [Joe Biden](/religion08/profile.php?CandidateID=9) Nov. 6, 2008 The Pew Forum's profile of Vice President-elect Joe Biden includes a religious biography, Biden's positions on values-laden issues and more. Q&A [John DiIulio Previews How Faith-Based Initiatives Would Change if Barack Obama Is Elected President](/events/?EventID=202) Sept. 23, 2008 To discuss how an Obama administration might approach faith-based and community initiatives, the Pew Forum posed a series of questions to John J. DiIulio Jr., who has worked extensively on this issue. Survey [More Americans Question Religion's Role in Politics](/docs/?DocID=334) Aug. 21, 2008 A summer 2008 survey by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press found that an overwhelming majority of the public continues to say that it is important that a president have strong religious beliefs. Q&A [The Purpose-Driven Campaign: The Candidates' Forum With Rick Warren](https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2008/08/14/the-purpose-driven-campaign-the-candidates-forum-with-rick-warren/) Aug. 14, 2008 John McCain and Barack Obama made their first joint appearance of the 2008 general election at a forum moderated by Pastor Rick Warren, who will be delivering President-elect Obama's inaugural invocation. Pew Forum Senior Fellow John Green answered questions about what the candidates stood to gain from speaking with Warren and the challenges Warren faces as he attempts to broaden evangelicals' political agenda. Event [Religion, Rhetoric and the Presidency: A Conversation with Michael Gerson](https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2004/12/06/religion-rhetoric-and-the-presidency-a-conversation-with-michael-gerson/) Dec. 6, 2004 Michael Gerson, a former speechwriter for outgoing President George W. Bush, spoke at a Pew Forum event about the role of religious rhetoric in presidential speeches. More Resources --- ![PRC logo](https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2009/12/prc2.gif) **** [](http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1069/states-of-the-union-before-and-after-bush) [](http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1068/post-election-voter-engagement) [](http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1063/bush-and-public-opinion)[](http://pewresearch.org/pubs/943/views-of-candidates-improve) ![](https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2009/12/spacer12.gif) ![](https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2009/12/spacer12.gif) ![](https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2009/12/spacer12.gif) ![](https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2009/12/newsicon2.gif) **** [](/news/display.php?NewsID=17316) [](/news/display.php?NewsID=17315) [](/news/display.php?NewsID=17301) ![](https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2009/12/spacer12.gif) ![](https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2009/12/spacer12.gif) ![](https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2009/12/spacer12.gif) ![](https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2009/12/blogs2.gif) **** [](http://blog.beliefnet.com/stevenwaldman/2009/01/inaugural-invocations-and-pray.html) [](http://www.spiritual-politics.org/2009/01/post_21.html) [](http://www.ssrc.org/blogs/immanent_frame/2009/01/12/this-is-our-moment-this-is-our-time/)** [](http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctpolitics/2009/01/obama_asks_cour.html)** | Pew Research CenterJan. 5, 2009States of the Union Before and After BushPew Research Center for the People & the PressDec. 30, 2008From BarackObama.com to Change.govPew Internet & American Life ProjectDec. 18, 2008Bush and Public OpinionPew Research Center for the People & the Press | | | | NewsJan. 12, 2009Gay bishop will open inaugural weekendPoliticoJan. 10, 2009Obama Names Minister to Lead Prayer ServiceThe New York TimeJan. 8, 2009Presidential church choice sends political, spiritual messagesReligion News Service | | | | BlogsJan. 12, 2009Inaugural Prayers Through History -- The Ultimate ArchiveSteven WaldmanJan. 12, 2009So Help Me GodSpiritual PoliticsJan. 12, 2009This is our moment, this is our timeThe Immanent FrameJan. 9, 2009Obama Asks Court to Include 'So help me God' at InaugurationChristianity Today |