Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

Religion

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    Preaching Politics From the Pulpit

    During every election cycle, many churches and other religious groups find themselves wondering what role, if any, they can play in the political process. “Preaching Politics From the Pulpit” explains the IRS limits on political activity by nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations. An accompanying graphic shows that Americans continue to be wary of church involvement in partisan politics.

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    Religious Groups and Political Party Identification

    Trends in Party Identification among Registered Voters So far in 2012, 35% of registered voters identify with the Democratic Party, 28% identify with the Republican Party, and 33% say they are independent. Trends in Party Identification, Including Leaners, among Registered Voters When the leanings of independents are taken into account, 48% of registered voters are […]

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    Rising Tide of Restrictions on Religion

    Between mid-2009 and mid-2010, religious restrictions rose not only in countries that began the year with high or very high restrictions, such as Indonesia and Nigeria, but also in many countries that began with low or moderate restrictions, such as Switzerland and the United States. The report looks at restrictions due to government actions as well as acts of violence and intimidation by private individuals, organizations and social groups.

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    New Pew Forum Report Finds Rising Tide of Religious Restrictions Around the World

    Each of the Five Major Regions of the World Experiences Increase; U.S. Also Up   Washington, D.C. Sept. 20, 2012— Even before the recent turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa – including attacks on U.S. embassies and the killing of an American ambassador – the region was experiencing increasing hostilities and tensions involving […]

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    Mormonism in the 2012 Election

    A new slideshow highlights recent Pew Research Center data on voters’ views of the Mormon religion and Mormons’ opinions on their place in society.

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    Ramadan Observances Set to End

    A new Pew Forum survey of Muslims in 39 countries and territories around the world finds that fasting during Ramadan is widely observed, with a median of 93% of Muslims saying they abstain from food and drink during the day.

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    Infographic: The World’s Muslims: Unity and Diversity

    The world’s Muslims are united in their belief in God and the Prophet Muhammad and are bound together by such religious practices as fasting during Ramadan and almsgiving to assist the needy. But they have widely differing views about other aspects of their faith, including how important religion is to their lives, who counts as a Muslim and what practices are acceptable in Islam.