pewforum.org Publications

Publications

Explore Pew Forum publications—including public opinion polls, demographic reports, research studies, event transcripts, legal reports and interviews—on an array of topics and issues at the intersection of religion and public life.

How Our Brains are Wired for Belief
Recent advances in neuroscience and brain-imaging technology have offered researchers a look into the physiology of religious experiences.
Religion and Progressive Politics in 2008
A variety of religious voices have been prominent in the 2008 presidential campaign to date, and to the surprise of many observers, these voices include religious activists with liberal and progressive perspectives.
Religion in China on the Eve of the 2008 Beijing Olympics
According to a 2006 survey by the Pew Global Attitudes Project, 31% of the Chinese public considers religion to be very or somewhat important in their lives, compared with only 11% who say religion is not at all important.
An Argument For Same-Sex Marriage: An Interview with Jonathan Rauch
The debate over same-sex marriage in the United States is a contentious one, and advocates on both sides continue to work hard to make their voices heard. To explore the case for gay marriage, the Pew Forum has turned to Jonathan Rauch.
Courts Not Silent on Moments of Silence
Polls find that a majority of Americans favor the idea of a moment of silence in public schools. According to a 2005 Gallup poll, American adults much prefer allowing a moment of silence for contemplation or silent prayer in public schools over a spoken prayer in public schools (69% vs. 23%).
An Argument Against Same-Sex Marriage: An Interview with Rick Santorum
To explore the case against gay marriage, the Pew Forum has turned to Rick Santorum, a former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania and now a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center.
The 'Evidence for Belief': An Interview with Francis Collins
for Francis Collins, head of the Human Genome Project and an evangelical Christian, scientific knowledge complements rather than contradicts belief in God.
Religious Voters in the Pennsylvania Primary
Supporters of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama watch as Clinton marches in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Scranton, Pa., on March 15, 2008. Both Clinton and Obama have targeted Catholics at events around the state. The Pennsylvania primary looms...
The Supreme Court Considers New Case on Capital Punishment
On April 16, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a case challenging the constitutionality of a Louisiana statute that allows for the death penalty in cases involving child rape.
Pope Benedict's Papacy Still Coming Into Focus for Americans
Pope John Paul II and Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (now PopeBenedict XVI) in 1980. While Pope Benedict is less favorably viewed than his predecessor, the majority of Americans continue to view him favorably. As Pope Benedict XVI prepares to introduce...
Courting Catholics in 2008
The presidential candidates have recently intensified their efforts to woo Catholic voters, underscoring the election-year significance of this key swing constituency.
On Eve of Visit, Pope Benedict Still Unknown to Many Americans
Two weeks before his first visit to the United States as spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI continues to be viewed favorably by a majority (52%) of Americans, which is virtually unchanged from August 2007 (50%).
The Pope Comes to America
Pope Benedict XVI's first visit to the U.S. as pontiff comes amid a turbulent election year. He has planned stops at the White House, the U.N. and the Sept. 11 "Ground Zero" site.
An Overview of the Same-Sex Marriage Debate
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ignited a nationwide debate in late 2003 when it ruled that the state must allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. Almost overnight, same-sex marriage became a major national issue, pitting religious and social conservatives against gay-rights advocates and their allies.
The Constitutional Dimensions of the Same-Sex Marriage Debate: 2008
On Nov. 4, 2008, California voters passed Proposition 8, amending the state's constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage. The vote, which was significant enough to make national headlines on a historic Election Day, was the latest round in a long battle involving the California legislature, judiciary and voters.
Gay Marriage Timeline
Timeline provided by Stateline.org.
A Portrait of American Catholics on the Eve of Pope Benedict's Visit to the U.S.
When Pope Benedict XVI arrives in the United States on April 15, he will find a Catholic Church that is undergoing rapid ethnic and demographic changes, and whose flock is quite diverse both in their religious practices and levels of commitment, as well as in their social and political views.
Religion and the Remaining Primaries
Pew Forum Senior Fellow John Green discusses how the candidates fared among religious voters on March 4, the role that religious and unaffiliated voters could play in upcoming Democratic primaries and whether false rumors about Obama's faith could hurt his chances for the nomination.
Politics and the Pulpit 2008
A guide to the Internal Revenue Code restrictions on the political activity of religious organizations. 
Between Relativism and Fundamentalism: Is There a Middle Ground?
Peter Berger, an eminent sociologist of religion and a lifelong Lutheran, asked himself several years ago: "Would my moral convictions change if I woke up tomorrow as an atheist?"
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