Unlike other U.S. religious groups, most atheists and agnostics oppose the death penalty
Roughly two-thirds of atheists (65%) and six-in-ten agnostics (57%) either “strongly” or “somewhat” oppose the death penalty.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Religion & Social Values
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Religious Americans are less likely to endorse legal marijuana for recreational use
U.S. adults who are affiliated with a religion are less likely than religiously unaffiliated adults to support broadly legal marijuana.
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U.S. Catholics divided by party on whether Biden should be denied Communion over his abortion stance
67% of U.S. Catholics say Joe Biden should be allowed to receive Communion during Mass, while 29% say he should not be allowed to do this.
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Faith Among Black Americans
Today, most Black adults say they rely on prayer to help make major decisions, and view opposing racism as essential to their religious faith.
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Biotechnology Research Viewed With Caution Globally, but Most Support Gene Editing for Babies To Treat Disease
Majorities say scientific research on gene editing is a misuse – rather than an appropriate use – of technology. But public acceptance of gene editing for babies depends on how it will be used, and views often differ by age and religion.
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8 key findings about Catholics and abortion
Like U.S. adults overall, the majority of U.S. Catholics say abortion should be legal – at least in some cases.
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Religiously unaffiliated people more likely than those with a religion to lean left, accept homosexuality
In most of the 18 countries analyzed, religiously unaffiliated adults were more likely to say homosexuality should be accepted by society.
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Half of U.S. Christians say casual sex between consenting adults is sometimes or always acceptable
Among those who are religiously unaffiliated, meanwhile, the vast majority (84%) say casual sex is sometimes or always acceptable.
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The Global Divide on Homosexuality Persists
Despite major changes in laws and norms surrounding the issue of same-sex marriage and the rights of LGBT people around the world, public opinion on the acceptance of homosexuality in society remains sharply divided by country, region and economic development.
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Before protests, black Americans said religious sermons should address race relations
Six-in-ten black adults say it is important for houses of worship to address “political topics such as immigration and race relations.”
