Religion & Government

reportJan 14, 2014

Religious Hostilities Reach Six-Year High

A third of the 198 countries studied had a high or very high level of social hostilities involving religion in 2012. About three-in-ten countries had a high or very high level of government restrictions on religion, roughly the same as in 2011.
short readsNov 6, 2013

5 facts about the U.S. Supreme Court’s public prayer case

Today, for the first time in 30 years, the U.S. Supreme Court will consider a constitutional challenge to the practice of legislative prayer. Here are five facts about the case.
fact sheetNov 4, 2013

In Brief: Supreme Court Revisits Legislative Prayer in Town of Greece v. Galloway

The U.S. Supreme Court will revisit the issue of legislative prayer when it hears oral arguments on Nov. 6 in Town of Greece v. Galloway, a case involving a challenge to a municipality’s practice of beginning each town board meeting with an invocation.
short readsSep 4, 2013

5 facts about the Pledge of Allegiance

Massachusetts’ Supreme Judicial Court – the state’s highest court – will hear arguments today in Doe v. Acton-Boxborough Regional School District, a case in which an anonymous atheist couple is challenging the use of the phrase “under God” in recitations of the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools. The plaintiffs, represented by the American Humanist […]
short readsAug 16, 2013

Most Americans oppose political endorsements from churches

Some religious groups are pushing for an end to a ban on clergy endorsements of political candidates. Pew Research polling has shown that Americans are wary of church involvement in partisan politics.
short readsJul 8, 2013

Global restrictions on religion increased following the Arab Spring

In 2011, a strong majority of the world’s population lived in countries with high religious restrictions.
reportJun 20, 2013

Arab Spring Adds to Global Restrictions on Religion

Pew Research’s fourth major report on global restrictions on religion finds that the share of countries with high or very high restrictions on religion rose from 37% in 2010 to 40% in 2011. The Middle East and North Africa continued to have the highest levels of restrictions in the year when much of the Arab Spring uprisings occurred, with social hostilities involving religion increasing markedly and government restrictions remaining high.
short readsJun 13, 2013

South Carolina valedictorian reignites debate on prayer in school

Earlier this month, the valedictorian at Liberty (S.C.) High School ripped up his prepared graduation speech, which had been approved by school officials, and instead recited the Lord’s Prayer at the public school’s graduation ceremony. According to CNN, Roy Costner IV said he was trying to make a statement that “taking prayer out of schools […]
reportJun 11, 2013

Iranians’ Views Mixed on Political Role for Religious Figures

As Iranians prepare to elect a new president on June 14, a Pew Research survey shows that just 40% think religious figures should play a large role in politics, while a quarter say religious figures should have some influence, and three-in-ten believe they should have little or no influence. But an overwhelming majority of Iranians say they back the use of Islamic law.
reportMay 22, 2013

Federal Appeals Case Brings Contraception Coverage Mandate Back Into Spotlight

Some for-profit businesses are joining religiously affiliated nonprofits in challenging the Affordable Care Act’s contraception mandate, claiming it violates their religious liberty rights. A Pew Research Center analysis reviews the situation before a significant case is heard by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.