http://www.pewforum.org/Explore Pew Forum publications—including public opinion polls, demographic reports, research studies, event transcripts and interviews—on key issues at the intersection of religion and public affairs.en-usCopyright: (C) Copyright 2009 The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. All rights reserved.info@pewforum.org (PewForum Info)info@pewforum.org (PewForum Info)60http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rsshttp://www.pewforum.org/uploadedImages/_content/defaultPublicationThumb(1).gifhttp://www.pewforum.org/Sat, 25 May 2013 00:24:00 GMTSat, 25 May 2013 00:24:00 GMTWed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 GMTSome 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.http://www.pewforum.org/Church-State-Law/Federal-Appeals-Case-Brings-Contraception-Coverage-Mandate-Back-Into-Spotlight.aspxWed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 GMTMassachusetts became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage following a ruling by the state's highest court in 2003. To date, courts, legislatures and voters in 12 states and the District of Columbia have legalized gay marriage, while 30 states have amended their constitutions to ban gay marriage. View a map that shows each state’s current policy on same-sex marriage.http://www.pewforum.org/Gay-Marriage-and-Homosexuality/Same-Sex-Marriage-State-by-State.aspxFri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 GMTPakistanis are scheduled to go to the polls to elect a new parliament and governing party or coalition on May 11. But a Pew Research Center survey of Muslims around the world finds that Pakistani Muslims are among the least likely to express support for democracy.   http://www.pewforum.org/Politics-and-Elections/Pakistani-Views-on-Religion-and-Politics-as-Election-Nears.aspxTue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMTBrian J. Grim, Senior Researcher at the Pew Research Center, talks about religious freedoms and restrictions at the TEDx Viadella Conciliazione conference.http://www.pewforum.org/Government/The-Numbers-of-Religious-Freedom--Brian-J--Grim-at-TEDxViadellaConcilizaione.aspxThu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMTOn April 24, Rhode Island took a step toward becoming the 10th U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage when its Senate approved a measure that would grant gays and lesbians the right to wed. Our analysis also discusses four other states that are considering proposals related to same-sex marriage.http://www.pewforum.org/Gay-Marriage-and-Homosexuality/Rhode-Island-on-Verge-of-Becoming-10th-State-to-Legalize-Same-Sex-Marriage.aspxTue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMTA new Pew Research Center survey finds high levels of concern about religious extremism among Muslims living in the North Caucasus area of Russia and the neighboring Central Asian countries of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. It also finds that most Muslims in the region reject violence against civilians.http://www.pewforum.org/Muslim/Most-Muslims-in-Region-Reject-Violence-Against-Civilians.aspxMon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMTOn Monday, the Oklahoma Senate passed a bill intended to prevent the use of foreign law in state courts. The bill contains language from model legislation designed to limit the use of sharia, or Islamic law. A new interactive map details similar bills introduced or enacted in 32 states between 2010 and 2012.http://www.pewforum.org/Church-State-Law/State-Legislation-Restricting-Use-of-Foreign-or-Religious-Law.aspxFri, 08 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMTUpdated May 20, 2013. A fact sheet provides an overview of the situation in the nations where same-sex marriage is legal nationwide as well as countries that allow it in certain jurisdictions.http://www.pewforum.org/Gay-Marriage-and-Homosexuality/Gay-Marriage-Around-the-World-2013.aspxThu, 20 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMTBetween mid-2009 and mid-2010, religious restrictions rose not only in countries that began the year with high or very high restrictions, such as Indonesia and Nigeria, but also in many countries that began with low or moderate restrictions, such as Switzerland and the United States. The report looks at restrictions due to government actions as well as acts of violence and intimidation by private individuals, organizations and social groups.  http://www.pewforum.org/Government/Rising-Tide-of-Restrictions-on-Religion.aspxTue, 09 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMTRestrictions on religious beliefs and practices rose in 23 of the world’s 198 countries (12%), decreased in 12 countries (6%) and remained essentially unchanged in 163 countries (82%) between mid-2006 and mid-2009, a new Pew Forum report shows. More than 2.2 billion people – nearly a third of the world’s population – live in the 23 countries with increasing government restrictions or social hostilities involving religion.  http://www.pewforum.org/Government/Rising-Restrictions-on-Religion.aspx