Religion & Politics

reportNov 7, 2013

Many Sunnis and Shias Worry About Religious Conflict

This week Sunni and Shia Muslims ushered in the Islamic New Year and the beginning of the holy month of Muharram. For Shias, the month also is a time to mourn the events that sparked the centuries-old schism between Shia and Sunni Muslims. An analysis of polls conducted in 2011-2012 finds high levels of concern about sectarian tensions in several countries where Sunnis and Shias live side by side.
short readsNov 1, 2013

Vatican will seek Catholics’ input on wide range of family issues

The Vatican plans to ask a range of questions on topics related to the family, including divorce, artificial contraception and same-sex marriage.
short readsOct 17, 2013

Eight facts about Orthodox Jews from the Pew Research survey

The Pew Research Center survey on U.S. Jews included more than 500 Orthodox Jewish respondents. Here are eight facts about the Orthodox.
short readsOct 11, 2013

Conservatives continue to oppose same-sex marriage but by smaller margins

Support for same-sex marriage has been growing in recent years, with half (50%) of Americans now in favor and 43% opposed.
featureOct 1, 2013

Video: ‘A Portrait of Jewish Americans’ Overview

Alan Cooperman, deputy director of the Pew Research Center’s Religion & Public Life Project, presented an overview of the findings of the Pew Research survey of U.S. Jews at an Oct. 1 event in New York City, hosted by the Neubauer Family Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts. To see more videos by the Pew […]
reportOct 1, 2013

A Portrait of Jewish Americans

American Jews overwhelmingly say they are proud to be Jewish and have a strong sense of belonging to the Jewish people, but their identity is also changing: 22% of American Jews now say they have no religion.
short readsSep 24, 2013

Nairobi Westgate mall terrorist attack is part of Kenya’s sharp rise in religious hostilities

The number of people killed in religion-related terrorist attacks in Kenya has dramatically increased in recent years.
short readsSep 18, 2013

Headscarf incident in Sudan highlights a global trend

Sudan is one of an increasing number of countries whose governments regulate the wearing of religious symbols or attire, such as head coverings for women or facial hair for men.
short readsSep 16, 2013

Study: Religious people more likely to reject the idea that life has no purpose

Numerous studies have shown that people who are religious are happier in life. Now, a new study has found those who believe in God with no doubts are more likely to strongly disagree with the idea that life does not have meaning. Stephen Cranney of the Population Studies Center at the University of Pennsylvania recently […]
short readsJul 11, 2013

American Catholics want Pope Francis to address abuse scandal

As Pope Francis begins to address issues facing the church, Pew Research Center surveys of American Catholics finds that seven-in-ten think it’s important for the church to address the sex-abuse scandal.