Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

Religion

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    Members of Congress: Religious Affiliations

    Explore the religious affiliation of each of the members to be sworn into the 114th Congress on Jan. 6, 2015. Data were compiled by CQ Roll Call and the Pew Research Center’s Religion & Public Life Project.

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    History of Clergy in Congress

    Seven ordained ministers hold seats in the new Congress – one more than the number in the very first U.S. Congress (1789-1791).[1. Figures for the number of clergy serving in the first Congress come from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.] But because Congress was a much smaller body in the late 18th century than […]

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    Faith on the Hill

    More than nine-in-ten members of the newly elected 114th Congress are Christian — a significantly higher share than is seen in the general population. However, many other major religious groups are represented in the body, including Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus and the unaffiliated.

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    Most Americans Say Holiday Displays on Public Property Are OK

    Media Contact: Katherine Ritchey, Communications Manager 202-419-4564, kritchey@pewresearch.org Washington, Dec. 15, 2014 — A new Pew Research Center survey finds that 44% of Americans say Christian symbols like nativity scenes should be allowed on government property even if they are not accompanied by symbols from other religions. In addition, 28% of U.S. adults say that […]

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    Pope Francis’ Image Positive in Much of World

    Pope Francis, leader of the world’s nearly 1.1 billion Catholics, enjoys broad support across much of the world: a median of 60% across 43 nations have a favorable view of him. Only 11% see the pope unfavorably, and 28% give no rating.